Section (the) - Fork It Over

Name: The Section
Album: Fork it Over
Year: 1977
Style: Jazzy Rock, Fusion, Funk, Prog, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Brand X
"One-Word" Review: Pitch Perfect Smooth Jazzy Prog.
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve Notes, Record

Fork It Over (1977)

1. Suckers On Parade 3:47
2. LA Changes 5:25
3. Street Pizza 4:07
4. Hamsters of Doom 4:30
5. Bad Shoes 2:49 /
6. Moon Over Fontana 5:30
7. Rainbows 4:34
8. White Water 2:55
9. Magnetic Lady 5:41

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Russ Kunkel - Drums, Vox, Percussion (James Taylor, Carol King, Jackson Brown, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Lyle Lovett, Meatjack, Spinal Tap, Things to Come more)
• Leland Sklar - Bass (Phil Collins, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Wolfgang, Vince Gill, Barefoot Servants, Diana Ross, Hall & Oats, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Group Therapy, Suzy Bogguss more)
• Craig Doerge - Keys, Moog (James Taylor, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Sion & Garfunkel, Henske, Keepin' 'Em Off the Streets, Rosebud, more)
• Danny Kortchmar - Guitars, Field Drums (Don Henley, James Taylor, Carol King, The City, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Harry Nilsson, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Attitudes, Jo Mama, King Bees, Slo Leak, Flying Machines, Yesca, more)
• Steve Forman - Percussion (Friendship, Eclectic Mouse, Topsy Turbys, Ray Manzarek, REO Speedwagon, Kim Carnes, Loggins & Messina, Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau, more)
• Jim Horn - Sax, Flute, Piccolo (Duane Eddy, George's Band, His Dynamite Horn Section, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Kip Tyler & the Flips, Lalo Schifrin, The Rebels, Shelter People more)
• Chuck Findley - Trumpet (Alf Clausen Jazz Orch, Buddy Rich Big Band, Don menza, Findley Bros, High Voltage, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Klaus Weiss, L'il Jack Horn Sect. James Last, Peter Herbolzheimer, Ernie Watts more)
• Judy Henske - Lyrics
• James Taylor - Vox (Yo Yo Ma, Flying Machine, Mitchell/Taylor Boy Girl Choir, Simon-Taylor Family other acts)
• Joe Lala - Congas Timbales, Percussion (Blues Image, Manassas, Pacific Gas & Electric, Steve Rucker, Byrds, Stills-Young Band more)
• David Sanborn - Sax, Lyricon (Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Chaos Choir, Domenic Troiano, NY All Stars, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Players Association, SNL band, World's Most Dangerous Band, More)
• David Crosby - Vox (CPR, CNSY, Les Baxter's balladeers, Beefeaters Byrds, Jet Set, Red Hots other acts)
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Dave Willardson - Illustration
• Jim Shea - Photos
• Matt Hyde- Prcording , Mixing Engineer
• Rick Moody - Asst. Engineer
• Skip Saylor - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Boshears - Asst. Engineer
• Wally Traugott - Mastering
• Ian Underwood - Oberheim Knowledge

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but the front and back artwork support their band name (section of the record) and album name, since the section of the record cut is being forked over. Based on the mellow longhair band picture on the back, i imagine this will be some southern bluesy rock or powerpop, perhaps a bit snarky with their all-in concept album from name to imagery. 

Album Review: So this is a mostly acid jazz fusion band with prog rock. Mostly instrumentals with some high profile vocalists in James Taylor and David Crosby on one song each (the last track on each side of the album). They were basically the house band for anyone recording with Asylum Records, nicknamed the Mellow Mafia- based solely on their musical style: not their energetic stage presence and chaotic lifestyles. Together and or independently, these four helped shaped the all star careers of Carly Simon, Carole King, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt and Phil Collins. They propelled the main acts live shows into superstar status, and helped write many of their biggest hits. They were a respected force as a group, and it would not have been possible for Jackson Browne to record his all-new, all-live album Running on Empty without them on tour for the three weeks it took to compile, during the same year this album came out.

Stand Out Track: Street Pizza

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Pezband - s/t

Name: Pezband
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Squeeze, Cheap Trick, Badfinger, The Records, Fountains of Wayne, Shoes, Beatles, Raspberries
"One-Word" Review: Sleek hook filled catchy pop
Based Out Of: Oak Park, IL
Label: Passport Records, ABC records, 

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pezband (1977)

1. Baby It's Cold Outside 2:49
2. Tracer 2:51
3. Princess Mary 2:25
4. Runaway 3:45
5. Gas Grill 2:33
6. When I'm Down 2:02
7. It's Only a Girl 1:56 /
8. Please Be Somewhere Tonight 3:04
9. Let's Dance! 2:34
10. It Was Alright 2:30
11. Hold On 2:58
12. Close your Eyes 5:33

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mick Rain - Drums, Percussion, Vox
• Mike Gorman - Bass, Vox (Black & Blonde, Off Broadway, EIEIO, The Kraze, Second Sufis, Boy George, Matt Bennett )
• Tommy Gauvenda - Guitars (Tamo Show, Claire, Siren, 
• Mimi Betinis - Lead Vox, Guitar, Piano (Black & Blonde, Off Broadway, Studebaker John & the Hawks, )
• Stephan Galfas - Producer, Engineer
• Peter Sobel - Production Coordinator
• Jim Bonnefond - Asst. Engineer
• Joe Intile III - Asst. Engineer
• Charles Conrad - Asst. Engineer
• Cliff Hodson - Asst. Engineer
• George Marino - Mastering
• Clarence Clemmons - Sax (E-Street Band, Artists United Agaist Apartheid, Red Bank Rockers, Bruce Springsteen, Jersey Arts for Mankind, Ringo Starr & All Starr Band, Steve Smith & the Nakeds, Temple of Soul, Browns All-Star Band, Louisiana Gator Boys, more)
• John Payne - Sax (Louis Levin, Van Morrison, Milkwood, Bonnie Raitt, The Siegel Schwall Band, Andy Pratt, Fanny, Niki Aukema, Water Into Wine Band, Travis Shook & the Club Wow, Johnny Shines, David Bromberg, Tom Mitchell, Don Ebbett, Martha Velez, Rosalie Sorrels, Peter C Johnson, Tom Church, Noel Paul Stookey, Martin Gross Wendt, Robert Ellis Orrall, Bill Quateman, Halleluja the Hills, Canned Boogers)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet  (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Alan Rubin - Trumpet (Black Light Orch, Newport Youth Band, Blues Brothers Band, Mike Gibbs, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, The Tick Horns, Blood Sweat & Tears, Fat City, Duke Ellington, more)
• Larry Fast - Synth  (Synergy, Fire INC., Tony Levin Band, Deodato, Sylvia, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Stephen Dees, Martha Velez, Nektar, Intergalactic Touring Band, Peter Gabriel, Stormin' Norman & Suzy, Odyssey, American Standard Band, Tommy James, Hall & Oats, Kate Bush, Boz Scaggs, Meatloaf, Foreigner, Air Supply, John Denver, Bonnie TylerJoan Armatrading, Barbara Streisand, Rick Springfield, Serge Gainsbourg  more)
• Jay Warneke - Road Crew
• Jeff Roeschlein - Road Crew
• John Gillespie - Art Direction
• William Sosin - Photography
• Guido Scarato - Design
• Omega Graphics - Design
• Michael J Lembo - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the logo in broadway lights, i'm guessing they are a little show-tuney or at least theatrical..or perhaps glam rock, even if their band image just looks like a straight forward 70's AOR or power pop band. Upon closer look, the band photo on the cover looks "photoshopped: "the member on the far right is not as Vaseline blurred as the rest of the band...and his image is upside down on the back, which might be on purpose, too...perhaps he was hired after the production was completed, and is pasted over an ex-member.

Album Review: The album is straight up guitar & harmony powerpop- and with a start in 1971, Pezband was one of the first ever bands to be marketed as powerpop. The vocals sound somewhere between the Beatles and Squeeze (esp Let's Dance!): two great bookends. The songs are well structured, simple, catchy and infectious. Its very difficult to pick a stand out track as they all have similarly impressive hooks. They truly were one of the amazingly productive and astonishing bands that should have been much bigger than they were, most likely victims to the time: disco and punk, and being on a struggling soon-to-be bankrupt independent record label that was hemorrhaging $$$ and had no financial system in place to promote the band. At the same time, other bands like Cheap Trick were filling the holes where they would have also fit. And with a killer live act underrepresented on  record, audiences didn't have the awareness needed to make the band a household name. All three of their albums have recently been released on CD (Air Mail Recordings / Not Lame), remastered and remixed their third, Cover to Cover last year (2019). And fun fact, Pezband has no actual meaning aside from the candy: singer Betinis just liked the way the letters looked together artistically.

Stand Out Track: Gas Grill, Please Be Somewhere Tonight

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1995 CHicago Tribune article

Nite City - s/t

Name: Nite City
Album: s/t
Year:1977
Style: Garage Psych, Synthy Prog, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Doors, Tubes, Sniff N The Tears, Supertramp
"One-Word" Review: Psych Tinged Garage Power Pop
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: 20th Century Fox Records

Cover, Photo Insert, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Nite City (1977)

1. Summer Eyes 4:26
2. Nite City 4:55
3. Love Will Make You Mellow 4:50
4. Angel W/No Freedom 6:39 /
5. Midnight Queen 3:55 (single)
6. Bitter Sky Blue 3:12
7. Caught In A Panic 4:41
8. In the Pyramid 3:48
9. Game of Skill 4:40

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Ray Manzarek - Producer, Keys, Vox (Doors, Rick & the Ravens, Skrillex, Mamas & Papas, X, Robby Krieger, Annabel Lamb, Bruce Joyner & the Plantations, Echo & the Bunnymen, Michael C Ford, Darryl Reed, Bill Walton, The Knack, Jurassic 5, Earthling, Pauyl & Georgia, D21C, Santana, Sly Stone, Weird Al Yankovic,  )
• Jay Senter - Producer
• Noah James - Vox (Nova Casanova)
• Paul Warren - Guitar, Vox (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides)
• Nigel Harrison - Bass (Blondie, BP Fallon & the Bandits, Chequered Past, Silverhead, The Grabs, Tamdrin, The Runaways, Michael Des Barres, Syar, Iggy Pop )
• Jimmy Hunter - Drums Vox (Paul Warren & Explorer, Hilary Laddin, Nick Gilder, David London, Gabriele Morgan, Fortune, Bobby Barth)
• Roger Dollarhide - Recording Engineer
• Leonard Kovner - Mixing Engineer
• Zox - Art & Illustration
• Todd Gray - Photos
• Clyde Terry - Lettering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Nite City, but they look like a bunch of long haired power pop hippies. I'm guessing this is straight ahead pub rock. But the dudes in the band look a little old for a new band or a one off album.

Album Review: The main draw of this band is the presence of ex-Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. His Doors-like keys can be heard throughout the album, but perhaps never as much as the opening track. He also historcially "discovered & Produced the LA cow punk band X. Bass player Nigel Harrison would move on to join Blondie. This is a collection of 70's harmonic power pop tracks with a slight edge that puts them basically as pub rock. It was theorized that Iggy Pop was a potential singer for this outfit, but he decided to join Bowie in Berlin at the time (place, not band). Influence and member history aside, this is a decent set of power/pub rock songs that don't do anything unique, but are not bad tracks. They were probably a huge let down for Doors fans looking for closure or a rebirth. Perhaps most notable are the lyrics on Angel W/ No Freedom, an obvious tribute to Morrison, featuring lyrics like "Wild Child Dreaming Wild" and "Bury all your sadness deep within you arm." And if that was not obvious enough, there's the final line "Heroin...killed my friend"

Stand Out Track: Bitter Sky Blue

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NY Times 1977 article

Murray McLaughlin and the Silver Tractors - Hard Rock Town

Name: Murray McLaughlin and the Silver Tractors
Album: Hard Rock Town
Year: 1977
Style: Bluesy Pub Rock, Country
Similar Bands: Neil Young, Poco, Pure Prairie League
"One-Word" Review: Sleepy Country Pubs
Based Out Of: Toronto, Canada
Label: True North, Island Records

Cover & Back, Record

Gatefold & Record

Hard Rock Town (1977)

1. Love Comes and Goes 4:20 (single)
2. Poor Boys 3:46
3. The Man Who Can Sing the Blues 3:05
4. Love Can Make Ya 4:23
5. Well, Well, Well 4:14 (single B-side) /
6. Hard Rock Town 4:10
7. Immigrant 3:00
8. Sweet Song of Asia 3:10
9. When The Taxman Comes 3:12
10. Straight Outa Midnight 3:41 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Murray McLaughlin - Guitar, Piano, Harmonica, Vox, Writing, Producer (Lunch at Allen's, Northern Lights)
• Jorn Andersen - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Brian Plummer & the Suspects, First Fire, Fludd, Rough Trade, The Lincolns, Totonto Rhythm Section, Ian Thomas, Rob Piltch, Allanah Myles, Patricia Dahlquist, Joe Mendelson, Jackson Hawke, Crack of Dawn, Dan Hill, Bruce Cockburn, Tom Middleton, Bryan Way, Ronney Abramson, John Mills, Brent Titcomb, McLuskey, Sylvia Tyson, Jack Tobi, Anne Murray, Eddie Schwartz, Vezi, Joe Wood, Keith McKie, Garnett Ford, Harlow, Extras, Tim Ryan, Dr. Music, Doug Casmeron, Veronique Beliveau, Hugh Marsh, Tom Cochrane, Christopher Wand, Harlequin, John James, Terry Kelly, David Gogo, Virginia Storey, Philip Sayce, Aidan Mason, David Wilcox, Jack Semple, Michael Kaeshammer, Kevin Breit, Henrys, Don Rookie, Kevin Breit, Andrea Koziol, Carlos del Junco, Folkalarm, Justin Hines, Anjulie, Harry Manx, Fefe Dobson, Russell DeCarle)
• Dennis Pendrith - Bass, Vox (Bruce Cockburn, Dan Hill, 3s A Crowd, Rise and Shine Band, Bachelor Farmers, Raffi, Fred Penner, Simone Caine, Pierre Lalonde, Dee Higgins, Luke Gibson, Aarons & Ackley, Fraser & deBolt, Dave Essig, David Wiffen, Peter Donato, Willie P Bennett, Bryan Way, Len udow, Time Twins, Rosenshontz, Jerry Brodey, Dwayne Ford, Available Space, Mose Scarlett, Gordon Lightfoot, Leroy Sibbles, Brent Titcomb, Fred Penner, Ken Whiteley, Sylvia Tyson, Vance Gilbert, Tim harrison, Fred Eaglesmith, April Verch, Jim Layeux, Dan Whiteley, Ken Whiteley, Lunch at Allens, Kathy Reid Naiman, Lenore, Danny Michael, John P Allen, Cris Cuddy, Matt Andersen, Men Without Hairs)
• Ben Mink - Fiddle, Mandolin, Backing Vox, String Arrangement (Cano, FM, Stringband, k.d. lang, Geddy Lee, Rush, Heart, American Flyer, more) 
• Gene Martynec - Guitar, String Arrangement (Bobby Kris & The Imperials, Kensington Market, London Improvisers Orch, Bruce Cockburn, Luke Gibson, Edward Bear, Lou Reed, Gordon Lightfoot, Ray Materick, Paul Stoddart, Jeff White, Len Udow, John Mills-Cockell, BB Gator, Eric Robertson, Brian Plummer, Rob Clutton)
• Ronney Abramson - Vox (Bruce Cockburn)
• Kathryn Moses - Flute (Ted Moses Quintet, Syncona, Bruce Cockburn, Ann Mortifee, Ken Whiteley, Tommy Graham, Tom Rush, Joe Probst, Chuck Mangione, Hagood Hardy, Jose Munoz Coca, Leroy Sibbles, Raffi, Hugh Marsh, Ann Reed, Tony Guerrero, Ann Mortifee, Grit Laskin, Ricky Gianco, Fred Stone)
• Ken Friesen - Engineer
• Doug Neil - Asst Engineer
• Bart Schoales - Art Direction, Design, Photos
• Ray Simpson - Retouching & Special Photography
• Bernie Finkelstein - Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it looks and the name / album title sounds like a blue-collar Bruce Cougar Springsteen Mellencamp sorta act.

Album Review: Althogh this album is mostly southern bluesy pub rock, it definitely leans toward country, although  the song "Straight Outa Midnight" sounds a little like The Who. McLaughlin has won numerous Juno awards and is in the Canadian Country Music HoF. He has a commercial pilots license as well, and has been flying personal and commercial aircrafts for many years. And he is still performing as of 2020.

Stand Out Track: Straight Outa Midnight

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Illusion - Out of the Mist

Name: Illusion
Album: Out of the Mist
Year: 1977
Style: Prog, New Age, Baroque Chamber
Similar Bands: Renaissance, Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake & Palmer
"One-Word" Review: Enchanting Mystic Chamber Prog.
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: Island

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Out of the Mist (1977)

1. Isadora 6:58
2. Roads to Freedom 3:55
3. Beautiful Country 4:21
4. Solo Flight 4:20 /
5. Everywhere You Go 3:18
6. Face of Yesterday 5:43
7. Candles Are Burning 7:10

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Doug Bogie - Producer, Engineer
• John Hawken - Keys, Mellotron (Strawbs, Renaissance, Frankie Reid Band, Nashville Teens, Third World War, Trifle, Vinegar Joe, Luther Grosvenor, Claire Hamill, Sutherland Bros, Carl Perkins, Smithereens, Doughboys, Yardbirds, Spooky Tooth)
• Louis Cennamo - Bass (Renaissance, Armageddon, Chicago Line, Colosseum, Herd, Jimmy Powell & the 5 Dimensions, Stairway, Steamhammer, James Taylor, Jody Grind, Al Stewart, Linda Lewis, Beyond Sound, Chuck Berry)
• Jane Relf - Vox  (Renaissance, Holy Smoke, Stairway, Colin Scot, Yardbirds, The Fishermen)
• Jim McCarty - Vox, Guitar, Percussion (Yardbirds, Renaissance, Box of Frogs, Holy Smoke, Pilgrim, Pretty Things, Shoot, Stairway, Together, many)
• John Knightsbridge - Guitar (Third World War, Ruthless Blues, Hug, Yardbirds, Gnidrolog, Warm Dust, Mars, Limey, Box of Frogs )
• Eddie McNeil - Drums, Percussion (Strange Days, Paddy Kingsland)
• Dennis McKay - Mixing
• Goodwin Logie - Tape Operator
• Keith Morris - Photography
• Bloomfield / Travis - Sleeve Design

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of Illusion, assuming this is different than The Illusion. The pictures are all of them as a live band, so one has to wonder if it was hastily put together, or if the live setting was just their art choice. The pink and blue color scheme meshes well with the live photo lighting, creating a mystique that also supports the name Illusion. So i imagine it will be some sort of light new agey-prog.

Album Review: This group is a reshuffled line up of the band Renaissance, with the exception of Keith Reif (Ex-Yardbirds singer whom Jane is the younger sister to), who tragically died of electrical shock at the hands of a guitar amp. They are one of the many bands that succumbed to the capitalistic fan fare (ironically) toward punk rock, as Baroque Chamber Prog was waning in popularity. The songs are lofty, floating compositions, featuring heavy on piano and soothing, delicate vocals.

Stand Out Track: Solo Flight

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Mark Farner - s/t

Name: Mark Farner
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Pub Rock, Bluesy Rock
Similar Bands: The Who, Bee Gees, Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater, Grand Funk Railroad,
"One-Word" Review: Mellow Classic Rock in a Pub
Based Out Of: Flint Michigan
Label: Atlantic Recording, Warner Communications

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Mark Farner (1977)

1. Dear Miss Lucy 3:37
2. Street Fight 3:55
3. Easy Breezes 3:45
4. Social Disaster 3:35
5. He Let Me Love 3:34 /
6. You and Me Baby 2:51
7. Second Chance to Dance 3:15
8. Lorraine 3:55
9. Lady Luck 3:45
10. Ban the Man 3:05

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mark Farner - Lead Guitar, Lead & Backing Vox (Terry Knight and the Pack, Bossman, The Fabulous Pack, Dick Wagner, Grand Funk Railroad, John Beland, Ringo Starr, Alice Cooper )
• Phil Aaberg - Keys, Clavinet, String Ensemble (New Grange, Peter Gabriel, Elvin Bishop. Henry Gross, Dick Wagner, Marshall Chapman, Valdy, Maria Muldaur, Duroc, Dillard, Pat Hoffman, Rogers & Burgin, Amos Garrett, Roger Voudouris, Juice Newton, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Eddie Rabbitt, Metamora, Roy Rogers, 
• Bob Babbit - Bass (Marfvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Jimi Hendrix, Alice Cooper, more)
• Bob Kulick - Guitar (Balance, Blackthorne, Hookfoot, Murder's Row, Skull, Neverland Express, Todd Rundgren, Michael Schenker Group, Lou Reed, Michael Wendroff, Pepper, Kiss, Meatloaf, Janice Ian, Diana Ross, Tim Curry, Rachel Sweet, Balance, Richard T Bear, Was Not Was, Spys, Michael Bolton, WASP, Motorhead, Status Quo)
• Al Wotton - Drums (Rachel Sweet, Frankie and the Knockouts, Mitch Ryder)
• Jimmy Maelan - Percussion (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Jacksons, Talking Heads)
• Dick Wagner - Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vox, Remixing (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Kiss, Bossmen, The Frost, Hollywood Vampires, Ursa Major, much more)
• Ricky Farner - Backing Vox
• Dennis Bellinger - Backing Vox (Grand Funk Railroad, Rusty Wright Band, Robert Richmond)
• Andy Abrams - Engineer, Remixing
• Jim Frank - Asst. Engineer
• Mark Stebbeds - Asst Engineer
• Ringo Hrycyna - Asst. Engineer
• Jay Krugman - Remixing
• Steinbicker - Houghton - Cover Photo
• Lynn Goldsmith - Liner Photo
• Bob Defrin - Art Direction
• Andy Cavaliere - Personal Mgmt

Unknown-ness: never heard of this artist, and the cover looks like a complete rock star wanna-be cliche. Wanna-be because I've never heard of him. But the metallic logo and Saturday afternoon UHF fantasy b-movie image of shirtless Farner on a horse is trying hard to be iconic. As for what this will contain, it imagine it to be some aggressive Journey-like arena rock.

Album Review: So this is a gentle mix of southern bluesy rock and piano based pub tracks with some god influence ("He Let Me Love"). The songs on this album do mix it up, as there is also a little funk, some vague motown sound, and slow, harmonic "sexy" r&b. He was the lead singer & guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad. And through struggle and strife (father's early death, pacemaker, son's accident, fired from GFR & legal battles, finding god) he has come out the other end still playing music. The songs on this album do mix it up, as there is also a little funk, some vague motown sound, and slow, harmonic "sexy" r&b.

Stand Out Track: Dear Miss Lucy

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Mink Deville - Cabretta

Name: Mink Deville
Album: Cabretta
Year: 1977
Style: Rockabilly Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Bruce Springsteen, Mitch Ryder, Velvet Underground, Elvis Costello, Kinks
"One-Word" Review: Light Raucous Piano Wave
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Capitol, EMI

Cabretta (1977)

1. Venus of Avenue D 4:57
2. Little Girl 4:19 (the Crystals cover)
3. One Way Street 2:50
4. Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl 3:44
5. Gunslinger 2:09 / 
6. Can't Do Without It 3:15
7. Cadillac Walk 3:14 (Moon Martin cover)
8. Spanish Stroll 3:38 (single)
9. She's So Tough 2:30
10. Party Girls  4:30

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Willy DeVille - Vox, Guitar, Harmonica (Billy & the Kids, The Immaculate Conception, Royal Pythons, Billy De Sade and the Marquis, Lazy Eights, Mark Knopfler, Downtown, Vanessa Paradis, Lucky Seven, Bon Jovi )
• Ruben Siquenza - Bass (Billy De Sade and the Marquis)
• Bobby Leonards - Piano
• T.R. Allen Jr (Manfred) - Drums (Billy De Sade and the Marquis)
• Louie X. Erlanger - Guitar (Slamhound Hunters, Toru Oki Blues Band, Twist Turner)
• Jack Nitzsche - Producer
• Kim Kimg - Engineer
• Steve Douglas - Sax (Replacements, Crystals, Phil Sloan, Duane Eddy, Jan & Dean, Jerry Cole & his Spacemen, Dick Dale, Dory Previn, Albert King, Incredible Bongo Band, more)
• Mike Johnson - Backing Vox (Immortals)
• Val Heron - Backing Vox (Immortals)
• Max Bowman - Backing Vox (Immortals)
• Ed Rak - Asst. Engineer
• Don Henderson - Asst. Engineer
• Suzy Berle - Soul & Inspiration
• Billy Borsey Jr. - Soul & Inspiration
• Chris Evans - Mgmt
• Danny Goldberg - Mgmt
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Art Sims - Design
• Eric Stephen Jacobs - Cover Photo
• Leland Bobbe - Liner Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this artist or band, but he looks like a Stray Cats rockabilly 50's throwback greaser on the cover. And the name Mink DeVille sounds like it fits that era as well.

Album Review: Mink is the band name for Willy and his team. They played CBGBs a lot as a house band, but were not of the punk genre- at least not musically. But they were lumped into the category due to place and time. Willy has contributed many songs to soundtracks over the years, including Princess Bride, Road House, and Grindhouse/Death Proof. The more I listen to this album, the more i feel like there was Velvet Underground impression, and some of it sounds like Elvis Costello's first record ("I'm Not Angry" particularly)...especially "She's So Tough."

Stand Out Track: She's So Tough

Links:
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Wiki - Willy
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Guardian Obit 8/11/09
NY Times Obit 8/8/09

Bionic Boogie - s/t

Name:Bionic Boogie
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Disco
Similar Bands: Kool & The Gang, Musique, Lightning Lightning, Lemon, Philly Cream, Bee Gees, KC & the Sunshine Band, Gloria Gaynor
"One-Word" Review: Orchestral Disco Funk
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Polydor, Polygram

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Bionic Boogie (1977)

1. Dance Little Dreamer 3:48
2. Ricky Changes 6:21
3. Don't Lose That Number (Mumbo Jumbo) 4:55
4. Boogie Boo 5:21
5. We Must Believe in Magic 5:00
6. Stop The Music 4:56
7. Feel Like Dancing 4:00
8. Big West 4:58

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Gregg Diamond - Producer, Writer, Arc. Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, Wurlitzer (Five Dollar Shoes, Disco Explosion, Luther Vandross, Michael Wendroff, Melane, Ian Lloyd, Gloria Gaynor, Jobriath, The Creatures)
• Godfrey Diamond - Engineer, Production Assistant
• Lance Quinn- Guitar (Gloria Gaynor, Jimi Hendrix, Danny & the Fat Boys, Linda Lewis, Gary Glitter, Jimmy McGriff, Grace Jones, Meco, Frankie Valli, Maynard Ferguson, Lemon)
• Steve Love - Guitar (Black Light Orch. Stories, Ian Lloyd, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gunhill Road, Jobriath, Gloria Gaynor, Spinners, Hall & Oates, Vicki Sue Robinson, Janis Ian, take Five, Luther Vandross, Spyro Gyra, Lennon & Yoko, Roches,  
• Jim Gregory - Bass (Five Dollar Shoes, Pacesetters, Pepper, Michael Wendroff, Andrea True Connection, Ian Lloyd, Gloria Gaynor, Delores Hall, Rhetta Hughes, Peter Wolf)
• Alan Schwartzburg - Drums (Mountain, Group With No Name, Hollywood Vampire, Peter Gabriel, Bobby Gosh, Barry Mann, BJ Thomas, Henry Gross, Melissa Manchester, MaryTravers, Judy Collins, Melanie, Janice Ian, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Harry Chapin, Gloria Gaynor, Jimi Hendrix, Frankie Valli, Herbie Mann, Aztec Two Step, Alice Cooper)
• Jimmy Maelen - Percussion (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Jacksons, Talking Heads)
• Gene Orloff - Strings (Al Cohn, Billy Byers, NY Phikharmonic Orch, Pond Life Orch. Cannonball Adderley, many more )
• Lony Loniere - Strings
• Hary Lookofsky - Strings (Al Cohn, Gil Evans, NBC Symphony Orch, Ahmad Jamal, Quincy Jones, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Connie Francis, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Grover Washington Jr, Deodato, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, David Ruffin, Janis Ian, Bette Midler, Patti Austin, Peter Allen more )
• Sandord Allen - Strings (NY Strings, Hip String Quartet, NY Philharmonic (first African-American), Miriam Makeba, Milt Jackson, Pucho & Latin Soul Bros, Roberta Flack, Don McLean, Sister Sledge, Yusef Lateef, Deodato, Jimmy McGriff)
• Jesse Levy - Strings (Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds, Escorts, Bob James, Chet Baker, Stanley Clarke, Milt Jackson, Rupert Holmes, David Ruffin, Joe Thomas, Bob James, Janis Ian, Joe Beck, Ave. White Band, Herbie Mann, Jimmy McGriff, Deodato, Van McCoy, Wing & a Prayer Fife & Drum Corps, Chet Baker, Barbara Cook, Peaches & Herb, Meco, Tropea, Sesame Street)
• Kermit Moore - Strings (Hip String Quartet, Ron Carter Nonet, Quincy Jones, Ornette Coleman, Milt Jackson, Yusef Lateef, Mongo Santamaria, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Kool & The Gang, Bette Midler, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, Deodato, Sister Sledge, Frankie Valli, Janis Ian)
• Pete Ecklund - Trumpet Doveman, Orphan Newsboys, Geoff & Maria Muldaur, Loudon Wainwright III, Bonuie Raitt, Hungry Chuck, Martin Mull, Paul Butterfield, David Bromberg, Gloria Gaynor, Steve Forbert, Roches, Leon Redbone, Hot Club of Cowtown, Mammals)
• Charley Miller - Trumpet (Dr. John, Gregg Diamond)
• Joe Ferguson - Sax  (Fraser & deBolt, David Bromberg, Sam Rivers, Milton Marsh, Ronnie Boykins, Lou Donaldson, George McCrae, Andrea True Connection, Gloria Gaynor)
• John Kelly - Trombone (Tito Rodriguez, Lou Donaldson, Garnet Mimms)
• Brad Baker - Arranger
• Michael Brower - Recording Assistant
• Phil Schrago - Recording Assistant
• Ramona - Recording Assistant
• Bill Stein - Recording Assistant
• Gwen Guthrey - The Group
• Yolanda - The Group
• Zach Sanders - The Group
• Ernest Thormahlen - Cover Design, Artwork
• Mick Rock - Cover Design, Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i remember seeing this at The Thing in Brooklyn, and had to see what kind of disco this was, because it was obviously disco. Very cool & sexy "smoking hot" cover art and silver & red backdrop, emphasizing the band name and style of music quite explicitly.

Album Review: The music was good enough to buy and add it to this blog. This is the first of three albums, and it contains smooth orchestral and funk production with fun bouncy bass lines and never stop moving tempos. Its funny listening to this right after bouncy new wave or post punk records, how much the dance-ability is similar, but the executions, lifestyles, and sentiment could not be more opposite. Like the yin & yang; devil & angel of energetic music genres.

Stand Out Track: We Must Believe in Magic

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Stanky Brown Group (the) - If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will

Name: The Stanky Brown Group
Album: If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will
Year:1977
Style: Light Rock
Similar Bands: Kavaret, Kinks, Eagles
"One-Word" Review: Folksy Rock
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: Sire / ABC Records

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will (1977)

1. Coal Tow 3:20
2. Life Beyond 4:04
3. Woman Don't Let it Slip Away 3:25
4. Confident Man 3:14
5. Faith in the Family 3:53 /
6. Alone Tonight 3:11
7. Good to Me 3:00
8. As a Lover I'm a Loser 2:32
9. Stop In The Name of Love 3:06 (Supremes Cover)
10. Free and Easy 5:03

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hank Medress - Producer, Mixing
• Dave Appell - Producer, Mixing
• James Brown - Keys, Vox, Arrangements (David Duke)
• Jeffrey Leynor - Guitars, Vox (David Duke)
• Richard Bunkiewicz - Bass (David Duke)
• Jerry M Cordasco - Drums, Percussion, Vox
• Jimmy Miller - Guitar
• Frank Greene - Lyrics
• Elliot Randall - Guitar (Randall's Island, Sh Na Na, Steely Dan, Loudon Wainwright III)
• Jimmy Maelen - Conga (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Peter Gabriel)
• Werner Fritzsching - Guitar (Riff Raff, Pierce Arrow, Cactus)
• David Lasley - Backing Vox
• Lynn Pitney  - Backing Vox
• Arnold McCuller - Backing Vox
• Billy Radice - Engineer, Mixing
• Michael Getlin - Asst. Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Chris Dedrick - Strings & Horns
• Artie Kaplan - NYC String & Horn Contractor
• John Gillespie - Art Direction
• Moshe Brakha - Photography
• Steven Bartel - Album Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but by the toilet humor name and cover album photo in front of the Statue of Liberty, I imagine this to be a southern bluesy rock band like Lynyrd Skynyrd or something.

Album Review: This is a 70's folksy AOR band with a little more bite. Some fun southern bluesy elements incorporated to power pop and classic rock songs. Not much about them out there on the internet...perhaps the most is on the comments section of a youtube video. Not quite as silly as the name would indicate.

Stand Out Track: Coal Town

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Beaverteeth - s/t

Name: Beaverteeth
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: AOR, Southern Pop/Rock
Similar Bands: Badfinger, Supertramp, B.T. Thomas, Big Star, Wings, Beatles, Paul McCartney, Kinks, Airwaves
"One-Word" Review: Southern-Lite-Disco-Beatles
Based Out Of: Doraville, Georgia
Label: RCA, Victor

Beaverteeth - Cover & Record

Beaverteeth - Back & Record

Beaverteeth (1977)

1. I'm Callin' 5:13
2. Just Another Local Band 3:47
3. You Wanna Go To Heaven 4:27
4. Where no Man's Been Before 1:53
5. Dixie Fried 3:31/
6. Sing For You 5:10
7. Sacred Harmony 3:58
8. Hope 2:37
9. The World's Really Flat 3:10
10. Where Does Love Go 3:09

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Steve Clark - Engineer
Rodney Justo - Producer, Vox, Guitar (Atlanta Rhythm Section, Roy Orbison, Candymen)
Larry Hunter - Vox, Drums
David Adkins Vox, Guitar, Keys
Jeff Cheshire - Vox, Bass
John Rainey Adkins - Vox, Guitar
Jay Scott - Horn, Vocals (Background)
Laura Scott - Horn, Vocals (Background)
John Ragsdale - String Arrangements
Paul Cochran - Executive Producer
Ron Stansell - Executive Producer

Ken Harper - Artwork
M. Silver Jr - Photography
D.H. Wickham - Photography

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band, but just from the name and the artwork, the juvenile me had to nervously giggle a bit as I bought it. The main telling of what I can expect in the music comes from the lunar pictures of the band members on the back, sporting the unmistakable 70’s southern rock uniform: Collars, long hair, scruffy facial hair, and the glasses. As for the artwork, I can’t really tell what kind of music it advertises. I’d like to say progressive, but it is more novelty than that, so I don’t really think it is prog. Anyway, it looks like a great album, definitely going to be interesting.

Album Review: “I'm Callin'” is a chill, mellow soft southern rock song. It has a little of the 70’s funk mixed in via organ and disco string section.
“Just Another Local Band” feels more folky, but also part earlier Bee Gees. This would have been on the radio, and I could see it being covered by current artists like Wilco, which would now be ironic. After the first section, it rocks out, and feels like a Big Star song
“You Wanna Go To Heaven” is a bit funkier with a pronounced bass section and light disco with a big horn section, and falsetto harmonizing chorus. “Where no Man's Been Before” sounds like a light Beatles “When I’m 64” mixed with the 70’s southern rock style the Kinks embraced. It is a cute, quiet song with a bit of a bluegrass feel.
“Dixie Fried” begins with a vocal that sounds a little like Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, and plenty of well placed southern harmonies in the background. The songs so far have not really been driving, they are lazy and slinky; meandering at their own pace. A few times the lead vocals come out with emotion, nearing a Jimmy Page level of screech and pitch.

“Sing For You” starts out with a very familiar melody, hard to place, but easy to enjoy. Maybe something from Wings? The song definitely reminds me of Paul McCartney’s lighter, simpler songbook. There is even a section, where they mix in I Am the Walrus’s breakdown melody, even jokingly claiming that the Beatles sound exactly like them. This is a southern rock gem. It has a positive vibe and a great repetitive upbeat hook.
“Sacred Harmony” is a slow ballad. The vocals are sentimental, and sad. The piano feels like it stumbles over itself, as if lightly drunk. The strings really work their way into the end, emphasizing the sentiment.
“Hope” is a nice sing song melody. The chorus does not deviate from the verse too much, it is just an accented, and more energetic version of the verse. A violin enters in near the end not adding anything more than a more complex sound scape.
“The World's Really Flat” picks up where “Sing For You” left off. Beautiful engaging harmonies and very rollercoaster-like melody that is reminiscent of the Beatles relaxed, later period and is toe-tapping fun. Actually it sounds very similar to Badfinger’s “No Matter What.” This is a great song.
“Where Does Love Go” relaxed the listener with one final ballad. It is much more confident than “Sacred Harmony” yet just as wispy and smooth. The chorus is louder vocally and emotional, boldly asking allowed the question in the title.

Stand Out Track: The World's Really Flat

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L.T.D. - Somthing To Love

Name: L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness, and Devotion)
Album: Somthing to Love
Year: 1977
Style: R&B, Disco, Funk
Similar Bands: Cameo, Bar-Kays, Earth Wind & Fire, Ohio Players, MFSB
"One-Word" Review: Soul-funk
Based Out Of: Greensboro, North Carolina
Label: A&M

Something to Love - Back & Sleeve

Something to Love - Cover & Sleeve

Something to Love - Record

Something To Love (1977)

1. Age of the Showdown 5:41
2. (Won't Cha) Stay With Me 3:59
3. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again 4:44
4. You Come First at Last 4:05/
5. We Party Hearty 5:15
6. If You're In Need 3:38
7. Never Enough of Your Love 3:47
8. Make Someone Smile Today! 4:03
9. Material Things 4:14

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Benorce Blackmon - Guitar
Lorenzo Carnegie - Sax (Alto &Tenor) (Fantastic Soul Men Orchestra)
Dave Collins - Remastering
Henry E. Davis Arranger, Bass, Vocals (Background)
Jimmie Davis - Arranger, Clavinet, Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Synthesizer, (Fantastic Soul Men Orchestra)
Doug Graves - Assistant Engineer
Bernie Grundman - Mastering Engineer
Mick Haggerty - Design
Mark Hanauer - Photography
Bob Hughes - Audio Engineer
Bobby Martin - Executive Audio Production, Arranger, Producer
Johnny McGhee - Guitar
A.J. "Onion" Miller - Sax (Tenor)
*Billy Osborne - Arranger, Organ, Percussion, Vocals
*Jeffrey Osborne - Arranger, Drums, Percussion, Vocals (Love Men LTD)
*Jake Riley - Trombone (Fantastic Soul Men Orchestra)
*Carle Vickers - Flugelhorn, Bass Flute, Trumpet (Fantastic Soul Men Orchestra)
Melvin Webb - Drums, Percussion
Roland Young - Art Direction
Ron Nadel - Personal Management
Robert Golden - Personal Management
Bill Whitten - Costumes
Steve Loomis - Costume

S. "Whip" Wilson - Advance Man, Road Manager
Billy Gibson - Road Crew
Richard Johnson - Road Crew

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band. Of course, that’s probably because I was never into the R&B / Soul genre that I assume this is from the band’s outfits on the cover. Their logo and use of a heart planet in the back also make me think of Disco, so perhaps this is a good example of Disco Funk or something like that. Perhaps I have heard of them, just not by name, but instead by song.

Album Review: So I’ve heard of Jeffrey Osborne, but not really familiar with his music or what his voice sounds like.

“Age of the Showdown” starts right off with disco orchestration, and a soulful crooning vocal. Yet there is still something of a darker element with the sporadic and somewhat random bass line. I am reminded of the little I know about MFSB with this song. This is a good example of R&B disco, with a Shaft-like bass and guitar section and the strings soaring in the chorus. This music has a specific time period, and is hard to imagine ever being made again with the same authority and feeling. The song ends with the lead vocals conducting a sermon of sorts, shouting at the listener and the rest of the band echoes hallelujah in response.
“(Won't Cha) Stay With Me” is a soulful, urging love ballad. It’s slow, prodding, and methodic and there are romantic horns and sorrowful strings. The song does lose a little potency with its fade out rather than an actual ending.
“(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” is the big single off the record and their most famous single of all time, apparently. And musically, it is best described as “Brick House” funky. The vocals are more general, and it features a female backing chorus that echoes the lead at times. Even though the rhythm section delivers a constant beat, the real hook of the song is in the emotion of the vocal delivery.
“You Come First at Last” has more of a 60’s R&B oldies feel to it than the 70’s funk. It relies on the strength of the vocals and the eccentricities there in. I like the vocal hook that comes after the title is sung. It starts deep and comes up fast and funky.

“We Party Hearty” feels like a very dated disco-funk song in its verbiage and Village People sing-a-long style. I actually find it a bit embarrassing to listen to, even though the rest of the song is straight up funky. I can’t get the image of Bill Murray using the phrase during his end monologue in Scrooged. I imagine that there should be a disco whistle shrieking out some generic rhythm in this song, but impressively, there is not one.
“If You're In Need” starts out as a piano ballad, but quickly changes to a sexy, sweaty love ballad when the verse comes in. Even though the chorus reminds me of Hall & Oates, the song is still projects a bedroom sexiness.
“Never Enough of Your Love” enters with strings and straight disco with a pop song template. The song builds nicely in the verse, and the chorus really delivers on the anticipated build. Again, for some reason, I’m reminded of Hall & Oates with this song too. Must be my limited knowledge on both the genre and Hall & Oates. It is a very fun and energetic song in the style of Disco.
“Make Someone Smile Today!” fades up into a slow, bluesy ballad. The song reaches grand heights in the chorus with string arrangements and a backing near-gospel chorus. The last minute has an upbeat tinkering on the piano that feels like it is trying to jumpstart something ragtimey, but it fades out to end the song with deep baritone vocals.
“Material Things” brings the funky disco back for one last song. It features bouncy bass, jangely guitar, a greatly used accenting horn section, and a concentration of backing vocals that exceed the usage of the lead vocals. Sadly, it ends in a fade out rather than some bombastic disco ending.

Stand Out Track: You Come First At Last

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Greg Kihn - Greg Kihn Again

Artist: Greg Kihn
Album: Greg Kihn Again
Year: 1977
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Buddy Holly, Kinks, Big Star, Steve Forbert, Dave Edmunds,
"One Word" Review: Earnest-Songwriter-Pop
Based Out Of: Baltimore, MD
Label: Beserkley, CBS

Greg Kihn Again - Cover & Record

Greg Kihn Again - Back & Record

Greg Kihn Again (1977)

1. Love's Made A Fool of You 2:44
2. Island 2:38
3. Last Of Me 4:48
4. Real Big Man 5:02
5. Politics 4:20 /
6. Hurt So Bad 4:45
7. For You 3:57
8. If You Be My Love 2:50
9. Madison Avenue 4:49
10. Untie My Hands 3:16

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

Greg Kihn - Guitar, Vox
Dave Carpenter - Guitar, Vox
Larry Lynch - Drums, Vox
Stephen Wright - Bass, Vox (Fiat Lux)
Matthew King Kaufman - Producer
Glen Kolotkin - Producer, Knobs, Dials, Switches
Gary Phillips - Producer
Tom Lubin - Engineer
P. Brown - Mastering
Flashing Neon - LP Concept
PIGment Fate - Mask
J. Seabury - Assistant Mask
John Jensen - Cover Photo
Moshe Brakha - Back Photo
J. Blodgett - LP Coordination
J. Ingber - Stylist
K. Turtle - Stylist

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. The cover looks silly, the back band photo looks like they are having lots of fun, so I figured this would be a nonsense, easy going pop song album full of singer songwriter fun. But I sense there might be some pretentiousness since the main guy uses his name as part of the album title. You have to be pretty stuck on yourself to use your name as both the act and the title.

Album Review: “Love's Made A Fool of You” is a Buddy Holly styled song, with deeper vocals and an electric guitar. And it has the start/stop rhythm of the song “I Want Candy.” (funny thing is, it is a Buddy Holly cover)
“Island” as a ska adaptation that feels like it could be an Elvis Costello song, but it is even more faithful to the reggae/ska style. It is smooth and feels like it belongs right there at an island themed chain restaurant.
“Last Of Me” begins slow, and feels like it could continue with an island theme with its choice of keyboards sound. But this is just a slow-dance ballad. I’m getting the image of an Eric Clapton number or perhaps nicer put, the Kinks.
“Real Big Man” is a smooth AOR, power pop number: similar to Big Star, but not quite as unique. As the song progresses, it leaves the gentle smooth style, and starts to become more mid-western pop rock, like Mellencamp or even a little like the A’s.
“Politics” has a driving, marching beat that reminds me of James K. Polk by TMBG. The melody is nice, in a sweet, earnest way. I keep feeling like the song is going to break into Van Morrison’s “Wild Night”

“Hurt So Bad” begins with a whiny heart broken electric guitar. Then the song becomes more than a ballad, and evolves into a Kinks-like pop song. After a chorus of sing a long repetition of hurt so bad, the song revisits the intro weepy guitar. But it quickly returns back to the catchy pop number
“For You” reminds me of Bob Dylan, as it is a story song where the lyrics don’t necessarily match up with the music (at least in the beginning). He dips his vocals from nasally balladeer and dips them, when necessary, deeper down in range, giving a broad nice and unpredictable delivery. The song knows its strongest hook in the chorus, and in two sections, strips the repeating chorus with down to the simplified hook during last minute of the song.
“If You Be My Love” is a thoughtful ballad, where it is not just a slow dance, it is of slow but melodic pace with a few slightly faster sections. It again falls in the category of near southern style AOR rock.
“Madison Avenue” follows up with a songwriter’s pop song that reminds me of Tom Petty. The only exception is the harmonized mass-vocal chorus. It is nearly magical in its sound, perhaps a little psychedelic.
“Untie My Hands” continues with the new age psychedelic vibe thanks to its prevalent bass and electric guitar mash up and progressive melody. This instrumental track is defiantly very structured, in an unexpected way. I would have thought that an instrumental track would have been a jam, but this calculated track has a definite Prog vibe.

Stand Out Track: Love's Made A Fool Of You

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Roderick Falconder - Victory In Rock City

Name: Roderick (Taylor) Falconer
Album: Victory In Rock City
Year: 1977
Style: Glam Rock, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: David Bowie, Billy Joel, Wings, J Geils Band, (late) Beatles, John Lennon
"One-Word" Review: A Pint of Glam Light Beer
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, Ca
Label: United Artists Records

Victory In Rock City - Cover & Sleeve Picture
Victory In Rock City - Back & Lyrics

Victory In Rock City - Record

Victory In Rock City (1977)

1. Rock City 3:14
2. That's Not Normal 4:44
3. Show Me Something More 4:47
4. Empire Man 4:24 /
5. Hard Times 4:22
6. Rock City 2 3:57
7. Fame is a Ball & Chain 4:43
8. Prologue 2:05
9. Victory 4:55

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

Roderick (Taylor) Falconer - Guitar, Synth, Vox, Production

Bruce Gary - Drums (The Knack, The Game)

Jimmie Greenspoon - Keys (Three Dog Night, New Dimensions, East Side Kids)

Wendy Haas - Vox

Brie Howard - Vox (Santana)

Peter Ivers - Producer

Mike Japp -Guitars (Marmalade)

Reggie McBride - Bass (Rare Earth)

Patti Quatro - Vox (Pleasure Seekers, Fanny)

Dee Robb - Engineer

Joe Robb - Engineer
Bernie Grundmann - Mastering
Ria Lewerke - Art Direction
Mosh Brakha - Photography
Donna Arost - Uniforms
Allen Levy - Minestry of Information
Steve Binder - Representation
Barbara Gosa - Representation
Krista L.T. - Prima Falconite
Dr. Taylor Kross - Advisor
Jeff Samuels - US Album Coordinator

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this guy and/or his band. From the shiny silver jumpsuits and the driving gloves, not to mention “rock city” silhouetted in the background, I have to imagine this to be some kind of futuristic blade runner take on modern (at the time) music. Smooth cold lines, a slick and confident look, and some kind of medallion icon that blends Russian and American aesthetics together paints a speed racer type world.

Album Review: Apparently, Roderich Falconer has made the transition from musician to screenwriter and producer as well as writing professor at Stanford University.

“Rock City” begins with a pub rocking sound. And the vocals come on like David Bowie trying to sing in a Billy Joel style. The electric guitar is not as in your face as it could be, which is a nice mixing choice. The song is a little show tuney, due to its repetitive chorus of male and female voices.
“That's Not Normal” has a whining guitar that continues throughout the song which sets a glam backdrop for Ziggy Stardust type sung/spoken lyrics.
“Show Me Something More” is a laid back bluesy Eric Clapton like number with a little Wings mixed in there as well. It is basically a slow dance ballad.
“Empire Man” begins with a straight forward Pub Rock n’ Roll guitar lick that sounds so familiar that it is perhaps the dictionary definition of Rock N’ Roll guitar. The vocals are nothing like Bowie, but more along the lines of a gritty J Geils.

“Hard Times” mixes in a little AOR rock with the traditional Pub Rock that it has exemplified as its main style. There is a barroom piano in the background and the song promises a good time amongst hard times. There is a honky tonk piano breakdown at the near end of the song that changes the pace up and breathes life back into the song with a minute to go.
“Rock City 2” is a (mostly) instrumental reprise of the lead off track with a chorus of gospel female vocals hymning and whoooing. It is an upbeat song with lots of syntn and reverb in the guitar.
“Fame is a Ball & Chain” is a straight up Bowie style rip off. This one is like his slower story-songs from Ziggy, with a chorus of female vocals backing him up with ooohs. He has some John Lennon “Yes It Is” thrown in there too. The song has a classic side to side swaying doo-wop rhythm to it. Really it is a mish-mash of some of the best musical styles that pre-date 1977, which is not to say the song is one of the best songs ever made. It does not have enough creativity to make it stand out from being a descent replica.
“Prologue” replaces vocals with a wailing guitar standing in, playing the melody that the vocals would use. A co-worker walked by asking about Pink Floyd, so not knowing Floyd too much, I have to assume this is also what he sounds like.
“Victory” blends right into the end of prologue. It is a very proud and confident song that borrows a lot from late Beatles melodies, and I have to assume Floyd too, because the vocals do sound a little of what I actually know about Floyd. The breakdown possesses a small section of swirling strings, and a progressive breakdown ensues. It is very orchestral, like a scene in a movie of someone walking down a busy city street in an uplifted but excitedly anxious state.

Stand Out Track: Fame is a Ball & Chain

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Detective - s/t

Name: Detective
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Classic Rock / Metal
Similar Bands: Led Zepplin, Rod Stewart, Robert Palmer, Bad Co., Journey, Mother Love Bone, ZZ Top
"One-Word" Review: Skeleton-Crew-Near-Metal
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Swan Song, Atlantic

Detective - Cover & Sleeve
Detective - Back & Record

Detective (1977)

1. Recognition 4:27
2. Got Enough Love 3:39
3. Grim Reaper 4:10
4. Nightingale 4:54 /
5. Detective Man 3:25
6. Ain't None Of Your Business 4:29
7. Deep Down 3:06
8. Wild Hot Summer Nights 4:17
9. One More Heartache 5:22

Album Rating (1-10): 4.5

Members & Other Bands:

Tony Kaye - Keys (Yes, Flash, Badger, Badfinger, Circa, Johnny Taylor's Star Combo, Cinema )

Bobby Pickett - Bass (Sugarloaf)
Michael Des Barres - Vox (Silverhead, Chequered Past, Power Station, Free Love Foundation, Zodiax)

Michael Monach - Guitar (Steppenwolf, Janis Joplin, Honeycrunch, World Class Rockers, Hokus Pokus)

Jon Hyde - Drums

Jimmy "Page" (Robinson) - Producer, Engineer (Led Zeppelin)

Andy Johns - Producer, Mixed, Engineered, Recording

Doug Rider - Assistant Engineer
John Henning - Assistant Engineer
Deni King - Assistant Engineer
Andy Zane - Assistant Engineer
Pete Carlson - Assistant Engineer
Sam Emerson - Photography
Kosh - Design & Art Direction

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of Detective, even if their name sounds familiar, it is a very generic sounding name. I picked it up because it’s bold, sleek cover art. The solid black background with the white outlined logo looks simple, yet elegant, in a great rock and roll / new wave way. The picture of the band on the back looks part easy rock and part disco, which might just be the year’s style, but is a little off-putting. However, there is a sticker on the back/top that allows the LP to be hung on a rack at a store, much like an action figure or bag of hard candies. Just picturing this record hung on a shelf of K-Mart or something also added to the mystery and intrigue of the album.

Album Review: A super group of sorts, all the members, aside from the drummer have had more popular stints in other musical ventures. The front man has been in many many acting gigs, and the musicians from Yes & Steppenwolf add a great deal of experience. Altogether, they are reported to be Led Zeppelin enthusiasts, adopting their hard/classic rock style. (Bobby Pickett is not the same as the writer of the Monster Mash, even if Wikipedia will take you to Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s entry with its link).
“Recognition” skips a lot on my version, so I cannot do a proper review. But I can off the bat agree with the critique of rod Stewart’s voice, I also feel like it is a bit rhaspier version of Steve Perry. It is a slow groovy song with out much change in the vocal range. The chorus is backed up with multiple Ooooing voices repeating the title. It is a good intro to be band: a slight slimy rocker vibe and a relaxed groove.
“Got Enough Love” feels like it might head off into “Whole ‘Lotta Love” at any second. Other than what is contained in the lead vocals, the song does not have much energy or speed to it, but it is still a hard rock song. The tempo is slow, and trudging, and the over all construction is repetitive to nauseam. The song fades out slowly, adding echo effects on the Na na-na na’s.
“Grim Reaper” features nice short bursts of guitar, bass and drum nuggets of groove. The vocals rise for the sake of changing things up, and the music repeats in its little hook segments it lays out. But there is a lot of empty space in the song. Even in the instrumental section, where guitar effects are added to the mix, it still feels like the drums and bass are plodding along and forget to build into a grand song. It continues on its one-idea lines and becomes forgettable as it fades out. But still it is very much like Led Zeppelin
“Nightingale” begins as the slow ballad. The acoustic guitars are picked and the vocals begin singing their metal lullaby, reminding me of Silent Lucidity. It is a nice comforting hook, if it were not sung by the stereotypical metal voice, it might just hold that caring validity. Around 3 min, the tempo picks up and changes styles completely, and the song becomes a very fun and poppy Queen-esq power ballad.

“Detective Man” has more of the countrified hard rock, slightly bluesy, totally south of the Mason-Dixon line rock feel to it. There is even a honky-tonk piano stifled down in the back of the mix. This is making me think of ZZ Top, from the little of what know of them. “Ain't None of Your Business” begins with swirling guitars and an air of mystery. The name detective is great for the style of sleazy rock music that for some reason conjures a dark alley amateur stalker/detective. This is hard rock burgeoning on metal. It is another of the songs that just sounds like it is missing elements. The basics are just too plain and bare bones to sound like they are anything more than skeletons or blueprint demos.
“Deep Down” follows the dark back-alley ways of the preceding song, into sadness and lonely depression. This is the first song I would associate with prog, as the sad guitar speaks volumes for the mood/songscape that the music is creating. The synth element comes into set up the transition from section to section, making the song more than a hard rock instrumental, and turning it into a much more progressive style.
“Wild Hot Summer Nights” follows the instrumental with a start stop guitar, super funky bass & drum groove and “pick up the pieces” stylized boogie. But the chorus abandons all funkiness and credit, where it becomes a straightforward soft rock number, just when it had so much going for it. I also believe that the lead singer has opted to step back and allow someone else to sing, as it is not as nasally, and quite a bit more soulful. The unfortunate thing is that the bass and drum funk is mixed down, and the electric guitar slaps all the essence out of the most fun part with its metal tendencies. But that might have been by choice since they are not a soul influenced dance band.
“One More Heartache” ends the record by beginning with a standard echoing drum beat. This could launch into an INXS song or an Aerosmith song. The confident and sleazy guitar adds their stylized character to the song, and the song falls into the repetitive musical loop with vocal innovation offering the only element that changes up the song. It still feels a bit empty, especially in the musical breakdown. The song ends in a frenzied finalizing burst of the instruments, in typical climactic breakdown. And it is justified, because it is the end of the record too.

Stand Out Track: Nightingale

Links:allmusic
Wikipedia
M. Monarch's Website
B. Pickett's Myspace
T Kaye Myspace
Rarebird Review
Des Barres website
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