Borderline were out of Woodstock, NY. I was at Woodstock with my pal Joel, only we missed the festival because it was the early 'nineties, so we went back to Long Eddy and had a Philly Steakwich, which I'm still digesting.
Ben Keith - him - played with them on their two albums from '73, '74. There's a bunch of swell music happening here, with contributions from Billy Mundi [YAY! - Ed.], Amos Garrett, Vassar Clements, and - surprisingly - David Sanborn and Randy Brecker. So why ain't you heard of these guys? Well, the first album crawled out of Pennsylvania on the poverty Avalanche label, with the obligatory shit cover, and the second didn't get released until Japanese Country Rock fans discovered it in 2001. So that's why.
This piece funded in part by Myron and Irwin Veeblefetzer's Eggplant Planet™, Stinkhole, ND.
Here is the link. I don't want you to have to work for these, on account which they are swell.
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/mwxFpLhtmnR
Go on then, I'll give 'em a go, sounds like they might fit in with some rare sunshine in the North East of England.
ReplyDeleteYep, why not. I really wouldn't like to let Myron and Irwin Veeblefetzer down. Please pass on my gratitude to them, I'm sure they're a delightful couple.
ReplyDeleteCame for the hair metal, stayed for the country rock. Always a pleasure to discover new treasure to hoard away in the vault -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a second album.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Babs...that's what I was mumbling to myself.
DeleteThe second album is no disappointment. They both get better with familiarity. There's some very fine lyrics, too (is this the only time I've heard "learn to say goodbye" in a song?) and a little humor of the wry variety. A great band with no weaknesses and heavyweight session support, and it didn't happen for them. What a business "the music" is.
DeleteIt was a very crowded field back then when it came to country rock acts. Google "Country rock bands 1975" and you'll find a ton of them.
DeleteI rather liked The Ozark Mountain Daredevils from that era.
Or ... just type COUNTRY ROCK into that search doo-hickey over there, Steve. Mucho beunas obscurantes FoamFeatured™ antecedently right here.
DeleteHere's two from '73, that (to my ears) have "stood the test of time". Courtesy of Marshall Tucker & some Daredevils from the Ozarks.
Deletehttps://workupload.com/file/rdaLWJY4zuQ
It's a genre that tends to the timeless. Depends on craft and skill, and - crucially - the absence of synthesizers.
DeleteOne of my country rock favourites - Poco's 'Rose of Cimarron'. The vocals are a bit bland at times, but the playing is superb and the compositions are strong.
DeleteThe title track is a classic.
https://workupload.com/file/SbNy3WUGPhh
Thanks Steve, Rose of Cimmaron has long been a favourite. John Peel used to plag it now and again in the punk years. Time to give the whole album a listen, I think.
DeleteRose of Cimarron is one of my wife's favorite songs (and I like it, too).
DeleteOriginally lined up for a Roy Rogers comeback album, apparently.
DeleteHe nixed it because it was triggering.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteGood pedigree with some of those names.
Japanese country rock fans -- who knew? Farq, are you by chance a fan of Blue Thumb recording artists Southwind (he inquired, after searching the searchbox)?
ReplyDeleteIndeed I am! I'm surprised they ain't here (thought they were). Like their first album the best.
DeleteCountry rock brought me here in the first place, so it might as well bring me back now.
ReplyDeleteJust heard a couple of songs from the debut which sounded mighty fine, like almost everyone else I didn't know they had a second platter.
Getting ready for the smorgasboard of Ratt, Poison, Mötley Crue, Dokken and Guns'n'Roses that is sure to follow on these shores...
Welcome back, podner!
DeleteShit cover? That looks like my home state around this time of year, and it ain't for nothing it's called the golden state. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to giving these a listen.
ReplyDeleteAs to Babs' contributions, Marshall Tucker Band's Searchin' For A Rainbow is an all-time fave album, so I'll have to give that debut a listen, too.
C in California
It's not a shit cover because they're nice mountains. Shit cover-ness depends on other factors. The band's from the Woodstock area, so it may show the Borscht Belt as far as I know.
DeleteWhile we're here, another Country Rock two-fer: Pure Prairie League's "Bustin' Out" and the first New Riders album. Yay!
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/THZa8Pugg2w
I've got some Nitty Gritty Dirt Band lps wot I've never played. Don't know owt about them - what's the considered opinion on them? Are they similar?
ReplyDeleteMy considered opinion is you should listen to them right now. They're all good, but Will The Circle Remain Unbroken is some kind of Rosetta Stone of country music (rock, not so much). Uncle Charlie And His Dog Teddy may be a high point. Later iterations of the band receive contumely from fans.
DeleteAs always, that search box reveals hidden treasure on th' IoF©:
https://falsememoryfoam.blogspot.com/2019/11/down-to-nitty-gritty.html
... and this year's Dirt Does Dylan is in Babs and my Top Five new releases. Absolutely freaking gorgeous.
DeleteThe ones I've got are Uncle Charlie and dog, Symphonium and a triple best of Dirt Silver and gold, guess I'll start digitising. On other matters, do you want more screed?
DeleteDirt Does Dylan is sublime.
DeleteSublime sounds good
DeleteNobby - and the rest of youse bums out there - the need for screed is everpresent. Any cultural shit you want to write about. Upload your "content" to a filehost and post the link in a comment. I'll delete the comment and nail your screed to the door. One rule: NO FORMATTING. Para returns okay, nothing else. Rich Text Files preferred.
DeleteThe NGDB really is ridiculously underrated. They're as much responsible for the creation of country rock/Americana as many of the other more revered names, and yet they are barely mentioned or counted as the 'godfathers' of anything; Plus it's pretty amazing how they re-invented themselves over and over to stay relevant and in the charts (well, the whole fake-Jamaican patois thing hasn't aged well...).
DeleteOh, uh, could that subline album by any chance wash up the shores of the Isle here?
DeleteJust askin' for a friend (imaginary type).
Enjoy, One Buck Guy
Deletehttps://workupload.com/file/ZDsQ3Z2Wv2N
Thanks Babs, that was good
DeleteIt was good for Babs, too.
DeleteAh, but how was it for you Farq?
DeleteI like to watch.
DeleteWas it good for Babs? I've had better...
Delete*snaps elastic bow tie*
DeleteWell, that escalated quickly.
DeleteUh. You guys do you, literally , figuratively or otherwise.
In the meantime, a nitty gritty dirty and hearty thank you, Babs.
I've seen yesterday on the Utoob that one of the tracks features the young broads from Larkin Poe. Huh, now here's an unexpected combo/collaboration for ya...
Delete