Guest Column - The Real Doctor Is In #2 The Average White Band

This album by the Average White Band is the 5th album of their career which has so far spanned 31 years. The group had initially formed in 1972 and disbanded in 1982, only to reform in 1989 continuing to the present day.

Like most groups with a career that’s lasted as long as theirs, they have had many different incarnations over the years with different members coming and going. What with the heroin problems of a few members in the 70’s and whatnot y’know? This particular album features: Roger Ball on keys, Malcolm Duncan on tenor sax, Steve Ferrone on drums and percussion, Alan Gorrie on lead vocals, Onnie McIntyre on guitar and Hamish Stuart on vocals, bass and guitar.

The album cruises along with an array of soulful vocals, deep funky grooves and also features a blazing horn section which perfectly complements the arrangements here. 

‘Love Your Life’ is one of the standout tracks on the album. It’s got that clean guitar riff at the start of the track that gets producers instantly reaching over to turn on the MPC. Not to mention those horns. You’ve heard them before, right?

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3 April 1 Permalink

Guest Column The Real Doctor Is In # 1 Love

Love - ‘Out Here’

Blue Thumb (1969)

Love was a progressive rock group from the U.S. led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee. Their musical stylings lend their influences from blues, rock, folk and psychedelic rock. They released a few notable albums in the late 60’s and early 70’s and this album entitled: ‘Out Here’ is their 4th album.

The group had many line-up changes over the years and in fact Arthur Lee is the only member of the original line-up to feature in this incarnation of ‘Love’ which also features Jay Donnellan on lead guitar, Frank Fayad on bass and George Suranovich on drums. All previous members of the group had become heroin addicts by the end of the 60’s and most disappeared from the music scene forever.

Being that this album was released in 1969, it typically features the styles that were prevalent in the music of that time, directly or indirectly inspired by the goings on of the Haight-Ashbury and the late 60’s counter-culture. 

Their unrefined sound stands out on such rock-inflenced tracks as ‘Signed D.C’ and ‘I’m Down’ while Lee showcases his storytelling abilities on tracks such as ‘Listen To My Song’ and ‘I Still Wonder’. Then of course there is the track ‘Doggone’, which features one of my favourite drum breaks of all time.

This album was compiled from 2 albums worth of material that was recorded while the band was under Elektra Records. It was originally released only months after their last Elektra album ‘Four Sail’ in 1969 on the independent Blue Thumb label. Original copies feature a beautiful gatefold sleeve (plus a sticker which unfortunately I do not have) and fetch prices of up to $250.00 (U.S.) on e-Bay.

‘Out Here’ is a great album. Particularly if musical diversity is your thing. It features a variety of styles to please the most discerning of tastes and yet all the while the character of the sound is both recognisable and unique. At least for those of us who are familiar with the work of Arthur Lee anyway.

Doc Felix

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Source: peakstreet.com

4 March 4 Permalink