|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 16, 2021 20:45:57 GMT
Some of you may remember a one-hit-wonder named Keith West. He had a hit with " Excerpt from a Teenage Opera," in 1967. You know the one, " Grocer Jack, Grocer Jack..." Well, Keith was also in a John Peel favourite psychedelic band called "Tomorrow," who also featured Steve Howe. Ronnie Wood and drummer Aynsley Dunbar also recorded with them. By 1975 he was the lead singer and main writer with this mob, Moonrider. It's one of those albums I found by accident. I picked it up from a charity shop in cassette format and played it to death, mostly because of the guitar playing I have to say, but the songs aren't too shabby either - even if they are a bit rooted in their own time - and the harmonies (both vocal and guitar) are pretty good. It really grew on me, and It also reminds me of another of my favourite bands of the era, Home. Apart from West, it also features some material by ex-Family/Animals guitarist John Weider; and Moonrider also included bassist Bruce Thomas, who would soon join Elvis Costello's Attractions and who was also a member of Quiver. The full Moonrider lineup was: *Chico Greenwood - Drums *Bruce Thomas - Bass *John Weider - Guitar, Vocals *Keith West - Guitar, Vocals I'm not trying to kid anyone that this is a " great" album, but I think it adds up to more than the sum of its individual parts. Play it next week when the sun's out because it's that sort of album. I hope you have some fun with it and sometimes sounding a "bit dated" is not a bad thing. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jul 16, 2021 21:28:15 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jul 17, 2021 9:32:02 GMT
Thanks again for pulling this together at short notice, Paul.
I don't know this one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 17, 2021 9:36:46 GMT
... I don't know this one. I'd be more surprised if you (or anyone) did.  |
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 17, 2021 9:39:34 GMT
On reflection, I'd like to ask that people give this more than one listen (if they can bear it) and see how long it takes to start nodding along, and joining in on the choruses. If you don't like it, you don't like it, fair enough, but if you "sort of" like it then repeated plays might pay dividends.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jul 17, 2021 12:17:03 GMT
Never 'eard of this lot, sounds to me they would like to have been The Eagles which isn't a good thing for me, I struggle with those whining dual guitar leads and vocal harmonies ...
I found the production rather thin and lightweight - would be interesting to hear it with a rhythm guitar rocking out higher in the mix to flesh out the sound. They tried doing it on Gold Digger but it's ironically it's one of the weakest tracks and just awful lyrics.
The track I really like is Danger in the Night, now that's a strong song - deserves to be re-recorded by someone I think. If the rest of the album was in that vein I would have loved it!
Overall quarter moon for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 17, 2021 13:25:05 GMT
They remind me more of America, or Seals & Crofts rather than Eagles (no "The"). They're also a bit Brinsley Schwartz, Ducks Deluxe, and maybe Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers, from the good old "Pub Rock," days if that chimes with anyone.
|
|
|
|
Post by ajski2fly on Jul 19, 2021 15:10:12 GMT
They remind me more of America, or Seals & Crofts rather than Eagles (no "The"). They're also a bit Brinsley Schwartz, Ducks Deluxe, and maybe Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers, from the good old "Pub Rock," days if that chimes with anyone. Brinkley Schwartz and Ducks Deluxe, there’s a blast from the past. I’m pretty certain I saw Ducks Deluxe when I as knocking around London with friends at Poly and Uni but cannot remember where. |
|
|
|
Post by ajski2fly on Jul 19, 2021 15:23:59 GMT
As said earlier it isn’t a bad album, but neither is it a great one, an enjoyable listen I would say with nothing offensive, and some nice guitar breaks.
so it’s Half Moon from me
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jul 19, 2021 16:37:37 GMT
I've played this several times and remain pretty unmoved by it, I'm afraid.
It's pretty competent rock music, but a bit unremarkable. Funny that you should mention the band Home, because there's a lot of similarity to the sound of Laurie Wisefield era Wishbone Ash to the guitar playing in here (which I quite like), but the vocals don't really sound as though the singer has much conviction in what he's saying.
I gave it a Half moon score...perhaps that would be a waning moon?
Thanks for giving us the chance to try it though Paul.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jul 19, 2021 18:59:47 GMT
I like the guitar player but the music just does not really engage me as the music is just not strong enough Sorry Paul another quarter moon from me
|
|
|
|
Post by rfan8312 on Jul 19, 2021 20:26:24 GMT
I was unable to hack it. But some nice guitar playing and will try again in car with a bit better sound setup.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barrington on Jul 20, 2021 13:22:20 GMT
I remember Excerpt From A Teenage Opera very well a big favorite when I was a kid , Tomorrow I know as well , Steve Howe of course but didn't know Keith West was in the band .
Not played this yet Paul but rest assured it will get two of three plays .
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 20, 2021 14:18:53 GMT
It's one of my "go-to" Summer records when we get a Summer.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jul 20, 2021 17:18:23 GMT
So, have you 'been to' it yet this year?
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Jul 20, 2021 19:15:25 GMT
So, have you 'been to' it yet this year? Oh yeah. Several times. |
|
|
|
Post by Barrington on Jul 30, 2021 11:22:33 GMT
Can't believe this band aren't/weren't American , very West Coasty , played it three times and it's very easy going but background music at best , nothing grabs me .
2/5
|
|
|
|
Post by petea on Jul 30, 2021 12:25:12 GMT
I quite enjoyed this album and I too had never come across them. Having said that it is unlikley I will go back to it, not because I didn't like it / them, but because many of the songs I liked reminded me of other bands. That was especially the case with "Danger in the Night" and that prompted me to play some Quicksilver Messenger Service! And "Having Someone" brought Brinsley Schwarz to mind. All-in-all enough for a half moon I reckon and a thank you for reminding me to go back to some of the bands I enjoyed in my formative years: and I agree, it definitely has a summer vibe about it for the most part.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2021 15:47:29 GMT
Sampling says prob not
Will have a bash at the full monty
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 2, 2023 17:00:29 GMT
A very late listen to this and it gets a Half Moon from me.
|
|
