__________________________________ SPIRIT TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS, Epic E 30267 or KE 30267 (yellow or orange ‘target’ label) A time capsule of brilliant psychedelia, short tuneful tracks, including “Nature’s Way” and “StreetWorm” featuring Randy California. California, so nicknamed by Jimi Hendrix, was invited by Hendrix to travel to England to start a new band. Randy’s mom nixed that plan (Randy was only 15 at the time). Hendrix formed the Experience, and the rest is history. California formed Spirit with his stepfather, Ed... Read More
Amina Claudia Meyers, Salutes Bessie Smith
When I heard this record by jazz pianist, composer and singer Amina Claudine Meyers on the radio back in the early 80’s in NY, I wrote down the title and went to Tower Records on Broadway and bought it. It is not something I play often but I do come back to it when I want to hear what a real piano sounds like. The record has a spare, underproduced quality, Ms. Meyers can wail with the best of them, but her piano work is superb; she captures a sort of forgotten sound- of a big instrument being played at full tilt with majesty and power, but singing in a mournful voice. The vocals... Read More
Taste, On the Boards
Rory Gallagher is another legendary guitarist whose playing is recognized not just for his skill, but for his ability to play inside of the song: – no boring, self- indulgent solos, or mind-bending exercises of guitar wizardry, this guy was musical! The album, from his band Taste, captures one of many high points in Gallagher’s career. Songs range from beefy rockers, like “What’s Going On” to lilting folk ballads (“If the Day Was Any Longer”). The tunes stay with you; the musicianship is something you can go back to again and again and hear... Read More
Free, Tons of Sobs- Island ILPS 9089
The band “Free” now has legendary status, in good part because of the deft guitar work of Paul Kossoff, another giant talent who died young. This album, their first, is a heady mix of blues and psychedelia, with the distinctive voice of Paul Rodgers- the band achieved fame with their later hit, “All Right Now,” and eventually morphed into Bad Company, which was a driving hard rock act immediately identifiable by Rodger’s voice. But, in this early incarnation, the elements of rock, psych and blues are more evenly balanced. Kossoff’s playing is lyrical and... Read More
Trixie Whitley- I’d Rather Go Blind 45rpm 10″ single- Belgian pressing
Not to be confused with the famous Etta James song, Trixie Whitley (daughter of legendary Texas blueman, Chris Whitley) cut this track early on in her career. Produced by Daniel Lanois, with Brian Blade on drums, the opening drum beats suck you in immediately. Ms. Whitley has the same quality that her father did- an utterly authentic, very musical voice that is the opposite of stylized; instead there is a ‘rip’ in her voice that just grabs you. Do not confuse this with her EP that contains several tracks including this song- find the 45 containing just this one track- it... Read More
James Gang, Best of-
This old ABC Dunhill compilation (look for the ‘children’s blocks’ logo on the label) sounds great, gives you the hits from the first three albums; some copies even contain the Ravel Bolero passage (in the song ‘The Bomber’) that was excised from later pressings although it is not easy to tell whether it is included in a given copy based on the deadwax or other indicia. Pretty low-rent album art that just adds to the gestalt. Start your Harleys! ... Read More
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