Retro Reviews: Fleetwood Mac: The Pious Bird Of Good Omen

     I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

Fleetwood Mac – The Pious Bird of Good Omen (1969)

****

Producer: Mike Vernon

Musicians: Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwin, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Eddie Boyd, Chrstine Perfect, Steve Gregory, Dave Howard, Johnny Almond, Richard Vaughan

Songs and Music: I Need Your Love So Bad, Comin’ Home, Rambling Pony, The Big Boat, I Believe My Time Ain’t Long, The Sun Is Shining, Albatross, Black Magic Woman, Just The Blues, Jigsaw Puzzle, Looking For Someone, ‘Stop Messin’ Round’

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    It may seem surprising that such a relatively young British blues act such as Fleetwood Mac would release a UK and US compilation, but this features a collection of singles, B sides, cuts from their sessions with Eddie Boyd, and cuts from their two albums. The recent American release English Rose, had featured a truly bizarre cover, and this album has a more banal design with a more poetic title indeed. For anyone who was frustrated that the prior albums didn’t seem to focus on enough pure blues numbers, this should satisfy those expectations. While this band differs from a heavy act like Led Zeppelin, I don’t know if I could argue that much more purist with the blues as some want to be. Peter Green still acts as a blues disciple, but tracks like “Albatross” and “Black Magic Woman” hint at something a little more that Green and Jeremy Spencer have to offer. Their next album is looming and there were rumors that personal changes may be afoot. 

    How could anyone stay true to the format of the blues without it sounding static? How many guitar shuffles and walking bass lines can one hear without it feeling spent? This release may offer a reprieve and assessment before the next phase of Fleetwood Mac, as it features cuts from 67 and 68. The slow blues of “I Need Your Love So Bad” features a lush string section with the bedding of an organ. Green remains an uncommon vocalist, and his brief time with John Mayall demonstrated his ability as a guitar interpreter. McVie and Fleetwood remain a solid foundation, after all the band’s namesake is built on the rhythm section. The rawer slide blues of “Comin’ Home” takes a nod at Elmore James, some Boggie piano and horns help to sell this and take it home. “Rambling Pony” even manages to feel more stripped down and evokes railroad labor. “The Big Boat”, a collaboration with Eddie Boyd, brings back the polish of the earlier singles, Green’s guitar has a haunted quality. “I Believe My Time Ain’t Long” does a good work out on Chicago blues. The juxtaposition of raw to polished numbers makes for an interesting listen when you explore “The Sun Is Shining”.

    Side two opens with the exquisite instrumental “Albatross”, driven by the rolling beat built on mood, layers of single line guitars, and jazz flavored chords take you on a costal visit. But “Black Magic Woman” is no less impressive, while it has a minor blues structure, there’s dynamics and dramatics that feel fresh. “Just The Blues” is the other Eddie Boyd number, it’s stride piano and guitar leads compliment each other. Danny Kirwin’s “Jigsaw Puzzle Blues” offers the most jazz flavored number and allows Green to stretch out. There’s an RNB infusion to the blues of “Looking For Someone” from the first album that keeps this varied. This collection is sent off with the full band, and horns of “Stop Messin’ Round”, with horn lines that reminds one of Ray Charles. This is a fine collection of material. 

Retro Reviews: Lou Reed: Coney Island Baby

   I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

Lou Reed – Coney Island Baby (1976)

***1/2

Producers: Lou Reed, Godfrey Diamond

Musicians: Lou Reed, Bob Kulick, Bruce Yaw, Michael Suchorsky, Godfrey Diamond, Michael Wendroff

Songs: Crazy Feeling, Charlie’s Girl, She’s My Best Friend, Kicks, A Gift, Ooohhh Baby, Nobody’s Business, Coney Island Baby

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    This is probably the most accessible Lou Reed album since Transformers, in contrast to the polarizing Metal Machine Music, or the concepts of Berlin, or even the showcase of the live Rock N Roll Animal, this feels like the Lou of old. While Lou’s vocal abilities are limited \, he does lean into the melodic here, and the album with its eight tracks is concise. As a Producer, Godfrey doesn’t try to emulate David Bowie, Steve Katz, or Bob Ezrin, but finds a space for Lou to be pretty informal here, Bob’s guitar work, and Bruce’s bass work finds room to keep’s Lou guitar rhythm interesting. Michael’s drumming is supportive and a far contrast from Mo Tucker’s Velvet’s days.  His melodic instincts on here nod to countless other artists, and that seems to be in contrast to what Lou has stated about pop and rock music in the past, but then again, the prior album was going to force a change.

    The warmer feeling is established with “Crazy Feeling” and lead guitar work that seems to imitate George Harrison, with background vocals and orchestral bells, has a statement of intent to pull listener, Bruce’s bass work is a standout. “Charlie’s Girl” is the closest to his Velvet Underground days, and I mean from the Doug Yuel period. “She’s My Best Friend” begins with some more open-ended chords before it shifts into familiar territory, a song about a partner who accepts the real person. The band really opens with the last half of the number, which is refreshing. “Kicks” has the misdirection of studio chatter before the lean back moods sets in, but the song acts as a kind of possible sequel to “Heroine”, but an older character who envy’s the youth’s self-destruction, or an ironic statement against such destruction. The boldness is a way to close out the first half. Michael’s free form drumming is a surprise. 

    Irony seems to be in good form with “A Gift”, is Lou playing the role of a Gigolo? It’s hard to say, but another observation to the New York street life he is all too familiar with. “Ooohhh Baby” is the most accessible nod to pop flavored Rock N Roll, with Lou’s piano, and the playful slide guitar that has a Stone’s nod, but this give’s Bob a lot of freedom, this also has some of Lou’s most narrative lyrics to be featured.  There’s the Country shuffle of “Nobody’s Business”, the background vocal’s of “Nobody’s” has the looseness of The Rolling Stones. The laid back feeling of “Coney Island Baby” has Lou in a spoken narrative mode, and it eases the listener out of the album.

    Regarding the album cover, Lou’s painted tuxedo shirt and bowler hat seems to take a surface nod to his glam dalliances. But Lou’s seems to be veering away from that mystique in the same way that Bowie has abandoned it. I am reluctant to adulate too much over Lou, The Velvet Underground as a collective was an important reset for the last half of the 60s and kept the scene more honest. Lou seems to be less interested in being provocative at the stage, maybe the burden of being a musical revolutionary has waned on him, like it did with Dylan years before. What you have is a well-played and vocally layered album, and perhaps Lou has figured out other means to paint pictures of urban life. It is one of the most romantic albums to come out of him as of yet, but the journey is worth it for the curious.

Retro Reviews: The Osbourne Brothers: Today Yesterday and the Osbourne Brothers

   I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

The Osbourne Brothers – Today, Yesterday and The Osbourne Brothers (1968)

***

Producer: Slim Williamson

Musicians: Bobby Osbourne, Sonny Osbourne, Dale Steed, Ray Edenton, Jimmy Buchanan, Ronnie Blackwell, Benny Birchfield

Songs: Will You Be Loving Another Man, Molly and the Tenbrooks, I’ll Never Shed Another Tear, My Little Girl In Tennessee, I’ll Never Love Another, I’ll Go Sleeping Too, Rocky Top, Gal, You Got a Job To Do, My Favorite Memory, Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin, If I Could Count On You

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    Considering the release The Byrd’s Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, and the influence of new member Gram Parsons, it compelled me to think about the trends with the country scene and traditional Bluegrass, and established act The Osbourne Brothers has put out a new release of Bluegrass and Country material. Current Country has learned towards a pop sensibility with the aim to smooth out the rough edges, this is in contrast to Appellation culture, and segments of Bluegrass that embodies the deepest rural areas in America. All of which makes me wonder if the counterculture could embrace such an album, this isn’t to say, they shouldn’t, but many may perceive this as ‘square’ and out of step, which would be unfortunate. Many Bluegrass players, especially banjo players have a virtuosity with them that is enticing. 

    Leaders, Bobby and Sonny Osborune are adept players, and singers, and are backed by some solid musicians, side one is a little more stripped down with a sextet of players and side two features added percussion and Pedal Steel guitars. Most of these are traditional ballads, lost love, or affairs. Songs like “Gal, You Got A Job To Do” will feel hopelessly outdated to younger listeners, but then again The Rolling Stones get’s milage out of the same provocative attitudes as reflected here, therefore, it’s hard to say. Often the main showcase is Bobby’s Mandolin, Sonny’s Banjo, or Jimmy’s fiddle, all of which is established with the opener “Will You Be Loving Another Man”, There’s a certain spry feel to “Molly and the Tenbrooks” and the intimacy is reinforced. The pleasant “I’ll Never Shed Another Tear” has a catchy melody that is enhanced by the arrangement. The brisker “My Little Girl In Tennessee” has a similar set of changes from the prior number, but Bobby’s Mandolin stands out, Dale Steed offers the third vocal on many numbers. The first half is rounded out by “I’ll Never Love Another” has Bobby’s stretching out with his playing, and the closer “I’ll Be Sleeping Too” is a showcase for Sonny’s Banjo work.

    Side two has a more polished sound as evidenced by the single “Rocky Top”, a rather brisk number with electric pedal steal which duel with the banjo, and a shuffle. There’s a kind of kind of menacing humor to “Gal” with a nice switch up, but most people will take it with a grain of salt. With “My Favorite Memory” features some nice three part harmony, piano flourishes, pedal steal moments that offers a change of pace. “Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin” has a vibrant tempo, and honky tonk piano, in spite of the subject, someone spending too much time at the local bar. The closer, “If I Could Count On You” kind of finishes up the tone for the album. Most of this is all pretty straight forward, there isn’t much self-reflection, much of the music reminds me of the kind you’d hear on the Jukebox of a country bar. But it is pleasant for those looking for something relaxing and different. 

Retro Reviews: The Allman Brothers Band: Idlewild South

       I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 70s and start of the 80s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums. 

The Allman Brothers Band – Idlewild South (1970)

****

Producer: Tom Dowd

Musicians: Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Jai Johanny Johanson, Butch Trucks, Thom Doucette

Songs and Music: Revival, Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’, Midnight Rider, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Hoochie Coochie Man, Please Call Home, Leave My Blues at Home

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    The second Allman Brothers Band has been released and it’s a rather strong affair, producer Tom Dowd must have great faith in this combination, Gregg and Duane Allman act as a central force, but Dickey Betts, and Berry Oakley have equal footing. This bands fusion of country, rock, gospel, jazz, and James Brown soul leaves one interested. The dual leads of Duane and Dickey has a dexterity and virtuosity that is hard to dismiss. Gregg’s Organ and Piano work is steady, but it is his soulful and gritty vocals that are impressive, and he manages to sound like an old soul, the dual drumming of Johanson and Trucks will remind some of that other rhythm section from the Grateful Dead, but this band seems to come at it from a different sensibility. If anything, this album seems all too brief and could have added in another track or two, but then again brevity might be for the best – leave the audience wanting more.

    It’s evident from the outset that there’s an accessibility and intimacy with the material, and not much pretense, this is true with the side one opener “Revival”, a playful acoustic guitar and dual harmonies sets up the tone, it takes a few minutes to realize this is a gospel number within a pop structure, hence the title. There’s a nice breakdown near the end with some brief tradeoffs. “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’” has Duane set the mood with a good soul rhythm, some biting slide work from Duane, and Harmonica from guest Thom Doucette. The exceptional “Midnight Rider” is the single, which captures a longing and restless feeling within the lyrical drive, thus it opens up with the instrumental section. The bold “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, written by Betts, has a jazz instrumental adventure to it, with several breakdowns, and sections that channel a little of the spirit of someone like John Coltrane, while retaining their blues roots. This might even rival the goal of The Byrd’s “Eight Miles High” as it works better. Gregg’s organ offers a fine showcase that he’s as adept as the others. Trucks and Johanson are equally up to the task.

    Side two opens with the Willie Dixon blues of “Hoochie Coochie Man”, this allows Gregg to have a little fun vocally, and Duane sounds incendiary at moments, as well as some more incredible work from Johanson and Trucks. The soul piano ballad “Please Call Home” shifts the tone with a self-reflection by Gregg, the gospel organ gives the number an extra depth, some of Duane’s guitar leads may remind people of his work with Wilson Pickett. The album closers “Leave My Blues At Home” has a James Brown flavored groove that fuses with Gregg’s blues / soul vocal. But the number never stays in one place as the breakdowns open to new ideas, this Southern rock band is not a one note outfit, and leaves the listener guessing, but it’s all just a template for their live performances. This manages to live up the promise of the first and we shall see where this goes from here.

    This is an easy album to ponder an assessment on as the quality is quite high, I hope audiences discover this on their own, it may not be for everyone, and some might not know what to make of their southern rock sound. This manages to live up to the promise of the first and we shall see where this goes from here.

Retro Reviews: Miles Davis: On the Corner

    I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

Miles Davis – On the Corner (1972)

****

Producer: Teo Macero

Musicians: Miles Davis, Michael Henderson, Don Alias, Jack DeJohnett, Billy Hart, Al Foster, James Mtume, Carlos Garnett, Dave Liebman, Bennie Maupin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Harold Ivory Williams Jr, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cedric Lawson, Dave Creamer, John McLaughlin, Khalil Balakrishna, Colin Walcott, Paul Buckmaster, Badal Roy

Music: On The Corner / New York Girl / Thinkin’ of One Thing and Doin’ Another / Vote For Miles, Black Satin, One and One, Helen Butte / Mr. Freedom X

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    Miles Davis has had a significant influence, not only with Jazz, but the field of music in general. Of this much me and Ralph J Gleeson can agree. You can hear it with the proliferation with Progressive Rock acts that have surfaced, and in the 60s with acts like The Doors or The Soft Machine, or even many of his peers that have formed fusion jazz or rock acts. After the bold Bitches Brew, Miles recorded the soundtrack to the Jack Johnson documentary, and the bold double album Live/Evil, a project that was a mix of studio and live performances. The new album doesn’t list the musicians, so I had to rely on press kits, or their prior involvement with the last two releases. Nevertheless, this new instrumental project does feature a roster of the top talent working today, it demonstrates just how eager musicians are to play with the legend and learn from him. These days, Miles has his eyes set on youth culture, and he wants to offer something they can mentally groove to.

    Most peers are already missing the point, both Jazz and rock critic peers. The emphasis of this is on rhythm, the musicians are expected to accent their melodies on the beat. The first section is broken into four titles, “On The Corner, New York Girl, Thinkin’ of one Thing and Doin’ Another” and “Vote For Miles”, all of them blur into one another with the rhythm of the drums and bass as the core anchor. This may just represent urban life, what people who live on the street and on the corner, see and experience. It attempts to tell a story musically. Side One closes with “Black Satin”, the first minute features exotic Indian and African percussion before it shifts into a complex drum and bass groove, but it all feels rather fragmented, the top instruments weave around a simple childlike melodic statement, you can’t really dance to this of course, but it’s build on a vibe, this feels more like Stockhausen than anything else, the Organ plays some outside tones. 

    Side Two’s opener, “One and One” features a prominent funk Wah bass groove, and a complex start and stop drumming pattern, the Saxophone and bass clarinet weave around each other like predators. The vibe takes priority on the piece. The snare seems to segway into the next piece. “Helen Butte” offers an altogether different grove, but still links back to “Black Satin”, the organ in a more freer form will remind some of Sly Stone. Miles uses a Wah to slide his musical scales like a guitar, the bass guitar sounds liberated on the early half of the number. The saxophone soloists stay true to the objectives and keep the groove faithful. McLaughlin steps in with some clean phrases. There are moments that will remind one of Crimson’s Robert Fripp. There are moments that sound like a slide flute. The keyboard work truly goes into some outside territory about the halfway point. There’s even a modulating synth to be found. The number seems to morph into “Freedom X”, which has some more introspective and gothic elements within, the African rhythms come back into focus, bringing this all back home. While there’s a darker element to some of the performances, it also feels very real to what is happening now. 

    This album isn’t interested in meeting the arbitrary expectations of others, you’ll have to accept it on its own terms. Hence, this is why critics so hostile to this one; but if anyone had been paying attention since 1968, the evolution of Miles’s work makes sense. This won’t be for everyone, but the gambles do seem to pay off overall. Miles’ vision keeps this interesting and I will be listening for more.