Record Reviews

DELANEY & BONNIE ~ THE ORIGINAL DELANEY & BONNIE: ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE ELEKTRA 4943674139804 (Barcode: 4943674139804) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2013 This is the second 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 only release on ElektraFind albums on this label Records (founded and run by Jac HolzmanFind albums by this artist), took them away from the image associated with Afro-American music which their previous label, StaxFind albums on this label Records, symbolized. The album was recorded by a dream team of top American musicians, which included pianist Leon RussellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Jerry McGeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Carl RadleFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Bobby WhitlockFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bobby KeysFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jim PriceFind albums by this artist, drummers Jim KeltnerFind albums by this artist and Jim GordonFind albums by this artist and the incredible vocalist Rita CoolidgeFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, most of which were penned by the Bramletts. Musically the album continues the direction put forward by the debut album, which amalgamates Rhythm And Blues, Soul, Gospel and Blues with Pop and Rock, adding this time some American Southern Rock accents. The resulting fusion produced some of the most perfect American Rock music ever. With the Bramletts´ writing talents, Bonnie´s incredible husky vocals, which at their best rival Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist, superb arrangements and perfect, soulful and inspired instrumental work, production and sound quality, the album is a timeless gem. The album was not very commercially successful at the time of its release, but fellow musicians and music industry figures recognized its sublime qualities. George HarrisonFind albums by this artist offered Delaney & Bonnie a contract with AppleFind albums on this label Records, which was even signed, but subsequently voided of course in view of the already signed Elektra contract. Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist loved the album, which led Delaney & Bonnie and the crew (to be called together Delaney & Bonnie & Friends) to play as an opening act on the Blind FaithFind albums by this artist American 1969 tour and later on to participate in the recording of his debut eponymous solo album "Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title". In order to get a full view of the talents of the musicians playing on this album, it is worth to remember that they were involved in making the following milestone recordings, all recorded in 1970: Joe CockerFind albums by this artist´s "Mad Dogs & EnglishmenFind albums with this title", Eric Clapton´s (as Derek And The DominosFind albums by this artist) "Layla And Other Assorted Love SongsFind albums with this title" and George Harrison´s "All Things Must PassFind albums with this title" – all this and more in just one incredible year! In retrospect this is a milestone recording in American music, which eradicated the racial discrimination between American Country and Folk music and the Afro-American Rhythm And Blues, Soul and Gospel traditions, creating, perhaps for the first time, a true all-American music. This album is an absolute must have in any serious Rock music collection and its everlasting values are still in full bloom five decades later. Essential!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 01/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

BIG BOY PETE ~ WORLD WAR IV: A SYMPHONIC POEM GEAR FAB 157 (Barcode: 645270015721) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2000 Previously unreleased album by British singer / composer Big Boy PeteFind albums by this artist (or Peter MillerFind albums by this artist), who was one of the little known leaders of British Psychedelic scene. The album was about to be released on the BeatlesFind albums by this artist owned AppleFind albums on this label label, but somehow it never happened. The album is a concept project about the destruction of earth and is performed by the composer, using multi track layers. It remains a superb example of the Psychedelic period and its availability is long overdue. Although obscure, this album is as good as anything recorded at the time and deserves to be re-discovered. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JAMES TAYLOR ~ THE WARNER BROS. ALBUMS 1970-1976 RHINO 603497852390 (Barcode: 603497852390) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2019 This Box Set offers a reissue of the six albums recorded by the iconic American singer / songwriter / guitarist James TaylorFind albums by this artist, released on the Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label. Following the recording of his debut album on the BeatlesFind albums by this artist´ owned AppleFind albums on this label Records, Taylor signed with Warner Bros. and released his second to seventh album on that label, which were hugely successful and established him as one of the voices of the Woodstock Generation. The albums were carefully remastered under the supervision of the Peter AsherFind albums by this artist, who was Taylor´s manager and produced the first three albums in this Box Set, which is carefully designed and includes detailed information about recording dates and personnel, which sadly is not always the case with Box Sets of this kind. This Box Set includes some of the most beautiful songs written by American music makers over time. Most of the songs were written by Taylor, but he also used a few songs by other songwriters. His idiosyncratic voice knows no equals to this date and his heartfelt singing lost nothing of its magic touch. He was accompanied by the absolute crème de la crème of instrumentalists and his albums were carefully arranged and produced. In retrospect these six albums are all absolute gems, which lost nothing of their power of expression and intrinsic delicate beauty during the years that passed since they were recorded. Taylor´s music impersonates American Classic Rock at its best, incorporating, mostly subconsciously, elements of Country & Western, Blues, Jazz and other indigenous American music sources with Pop and Rock, creating a unique style of his own, but one that corresponded to the music made in America at the time by many other Artists like Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist, Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist, Carole KingFind albums by this artist, Carly SimonFind albums by this artist (to whom he was married at the time), Simon & GarfunkelFind albums by this artist, Stevie WonderFind albums by this artist and others. Many of these artists made appearances on the albums included here, the most surprising being probably Jazz guitar virtuoso John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, who contributed one of the songs and played guitar on it. Overall this Box Set is a true treasure chest of superb music, which deserves a proud place in any serious music collection. For me this is of course a voice of my Generation, but the music is absolutely relevant also today and hopefully some young listeners will discover this timeless piece of Art. Beyond essential!

Updated: 10/08/2019Posted: 10/08/2019

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend