Month: March 1970

With the Country & Western Caravan Of Stars due in town, it’s a big C&W release week. The reviews below are aimed more at the ignorant than at Country Freaks (who already know what they like), since many people, and especially fans of trendy Country-Rock, should enjoy some of these records.

BILL ANDERSON & JAN HOWARD: If It’s All The Same To You; I Thank God For You (MCA MU 1121).
This teaming of two well-known Country names has produced an almost Soulful slowie (it would convert to black singers very easily), with some telling fuzz-tone guitar and electric piano. Nothing mind-blowing, but do hear it. Beautifully corny, choking-voice recitations on flip, too!
****

LORETTA LYNN: Wings Upon Your Horns; Let’s Get Back Down To Earth (MCA MU 1118).
Lovely Loretta (she is rather attractive) is one of those traditional Country females with the vocal twang heard also in Jeanie C Riley and Brenda Lee, for instance. “Wings” is a fairly typical steel ‘n’ piano slowie, whereas the funky “Earth” has some great rhythms and is a lot of fun.
***

WILMA BURGESS: The Sun’s Gotta Shine; Only Mama That’ll Walk The Line (MCA MU 1122).
Folksy clear-as-a-bell chick on a quiet little song that keeps reminding me of something (Young Love” mixed with “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square”? I must be going mad!). Anyhow, rather nice.
*** Continue reading “March 28, 1970: Country & Western special”

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: Travelin’ Band; Who’ll Stop The Rain (Liberty LBF 15310).
I know that people go quacking on about C.C.R. being an old-style Rock ‘n’ Roll group, but even so I was completely unprepared for this record – “Travelin’ Band” is an unabashedly straight copy of Little Richard! As such, they have done it very cleverly, considering their restrictive instrumental line-up – the drumming especially is really good. Great fun, and sure to get the kids jiving in the aisles (yes folks, the Rock Revival IS here!). Jangling ‘significant’ flip.
CHART CERT.

LOU CHRISTIE: Love Is Over; Generation (Buddah 201081).
Yes folks the Rock Revival is REALLY here, as, to a jittery fast backing, Lou Sacco reverts to his “Lightnin’ Strikes” sound! On current form, a CHART CERT.

OLIVER: Jean; The Arrangement (Crewe CRW 1).
First offering here on Bob Crewe’s own logo (a sickly green label) is the U.S. smash version of the “Miss Jean Brodie” theme. This was William Oliver Swofford’s follow-up to “Good Morning Starshine”, and despite the time-gap between them it should do well since he sings the much-plugged Rod McKuen slowie perfectly pleasantly. Slightly “Middle Eastern” flip.
CHART CHANCE. Continue reading “March 21, 1970: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lou Christie, Oliver, Fraternity Of Man, Stevie Wonder”