Record Reviews

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ D&B TOGETHER (EXPANDED EDITION) COLUMBIA 5099750788028 (Barcode: 5099750788028) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1973 Released: 2003 This is the sixth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their fourth release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded in 1971 and released by the label in 1972 as "Country LifeFind albums with this title", only to be withdrawn from distribution almost immediately and sold to ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, which released the album with an altered running sequence and the new title "D&B TogetherFind albums with this title". The album presents twelve songs, ten of which were newly recorded and two were recorded during the sessions for Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist´s debut album ("Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title"). Over forty musicians took part in the recordings and they are a loose version of the "Friends" moniker, including of course guitarists Eric Clapton, Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist and Charlie FreemanFind albums by this artist and a plethora of other great musicians. Almost all the songs on this album were written by the Bramletts. Sadly this was the last album recorded by Delaney & Bonnie, who divorced soon after. This remastered and expanded reissue includes six bonus tracks taken from Delaney´s and Bonnie´s solo albums recorded for Columbia after the duo´s breakup. In retrospect this is perhaps the most "perfect" album by the duo, superbly sung, played and produced, with a great mixture of ballads and up tempo numbers and excellent songwriting. It is strange why Jerry WexlerFind albums by this artist (the Atco head poncho) decided to drop the album. The reasons were most probably personal (the strained relationship between the couple) rather than musical. In any case this is definitely the smoothest Delaney & Bonnie album, which potentially might have been a great commercial success, but in reality simply sunk into oblivion. Delaney & Bonnie´s career, as reflected by the legacy of the six wonderful albums they managed to record, is a great example of a missed opportunities and bad luck, which prevented them from becoming superstars, which they well deserved. Their revolutionary concept of integrating Afro-American music with Rock in retrospect had a dramatic influence on countless musicians / songwriters around the world, which changed the face of music and completely eradicated racial segregation in music (at least for a while). For Rock connoisseurs this is a must have gem, which is also a closing chapter of a legend. Younger listeners might lend it an ear to discover what music really is all about, contrary to what is marketed as music today. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/06/2018Posted: 02/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ TO BONNIE FROM DELANEY WOUNDED BIRD 326 (Barcode: 664140032620) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2016 This is fourth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their second release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded and released in 1970 with a new version of "Friends", since the previous version of "Friends", which accompanied them on the live album "On Tour With Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title" was practically hijacked by Leon RussellFind albums by this artist to accompany Joe CockerFind albums by this artist on his US 1970 tour, which produced the legendary "Mad Dogs & EnglishmenFind albums with this title" album. The new "Friends" retained only keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist from the previous band, but offered an impressive list of players, such as guitarists Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist (who played slide guitar) and Charlie FreemanFind albums by this artist and many others, including the Memphis HornsFind albums by this artist brass section, which took part in the recording of their debut album "HomeFind albums with this title". The album presents twelve songs, which are the usual mixture of Bramletts´ originals and Rock / Rhythm And Blues classics. Musically the album presents the already established Delaney & Bonnie formula, mixing Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Country music with Rock instrumentation and featuring the duo´s vocal harmonies and Bonnie´s heartwrenching vocal pyrotechnics. Combined with superb instrumental work by the "Friends", the music is full of energy and genuine enthusiasm spiced with talent and good taste, which at that time was still around. In spite of the success of the preceding live album, this album did not come near to the same level of success and remained highly regarded by some critics and Delaney & Bonnie devotees, but in retrospect disappeared into oblivion, which is a great pity as the music it offered was excellent all through and certainly worth being remembered. On the other hand considering the quality of music that was being produced at an incredible rate at the time, many classic Rock albums shared the faith of this one. It is great to see that the album is available on CD thanks to the outstanding work by the Wounded BirdFind albums on this label Records reissue label, which means it can be enjoyed by people who still remember it when it happened in real time as well as being (hopefully) discovered by some younger listeners. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 02/06/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend