The Five Americans' third album, Progressions, lives up to its title. The group, which had gained success with the pounding frat rocker "I Saw the Light" and the bubbly pop hit "Western Union," began to show some real artistic growth as they stretched out and explored new sounds. Some of the tracks sound like more assured versions of their earlier efforts -- the bubblegummy "Zip Code" (the attempted follow-up to "Western Union"), the tender folk-rock of "(But Not) Today," the sparkling pop of "Stop-Light" -- but they also incorporate some harder guitar rock on "Black Is White -- Day Is Night," Kinks-y baroque pop psych on "Rain Maker," and blue-eyed soul on "Come on Up." They also ditched the at times too slick sound achieved by producer Dale Hawkins, took over the production chores themselves, and did a fine job of creating a full and rich sound with just enough experimentation to keep things unpredictable. Progressions is a substantial leap of quality for the group; with the right push, it could have been big. Instead it is a hidden gem that fans of fine '60s pop should seek out and savor. (Tim Sendra, Allmusic)
trax:
01 Stop Light 02 Con Man 03 Black Is White 04 (but Not) Today 05 Come On Up 06 Zip Code 07 Rain Maker 08 Sweet Bird Of Youth 09 Evol-not Love 10 Somebody Help Me 11 Call On Me
...served by Gyro1966...
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12 comments:
THE FIVE AMERICANS "Progressions"
...served by Gyro1966...
gitit! no pw
http://www43.zippyshare.com/v/91066703/file.html
EARTHSAPN - THE INCREDIBLE SRING BAND
Island Records 1972
Edsel Records EDCD360
http://www14.zippyshare.com/v/96490056/file.html
To me this is Sunday Morning music.
I own nearly every ISB record but I chose this one on the strength of the wonderful "My Father Was A Lighthouse Keeper." Critics pretty much panned this record. Rose Simpson had left the band and Malcom Le Maistre had just joined. Licorice would leave after this album was finished. To most haters of ISB this record was more listenable, eschewing the esoteric non-Western influences of earlier records for a more American sound. But to die hard ISB fans this album seemed a cop-out. (Bob Dylan at Newport anyone?) Allmusic had this to say: "While this is a solid record with some great moments, overall it lacks the mystery, the idiosyncrasy and the degree of eclecticism which originally accounted for the band's singular personality, and instead settles for rather unremarkable folk-rock."
But somehow I could never get "Black Jack David" (a reprise from the album "I Looked Up") out of my head and incorporated it into my own musical repertoire.
Not too many reviewers would write about the downside of an album they love, but I do so to show the would be listener how wrong critics can be.
-- JohnnyDiego
Includes Artwork
1 My Father Was A Lighthouse Keeper
2 Antoine
3 Restless Night
4 Sunday Song
5 Black Jack David
6 Banks Of Sweet Italy
7 The Actor
8 Moon Hang Low
9 Sailor And The Dancer
10 Seagull
BONUS 1 OF 7
AUGIE MEYERS - Loves Lost And Found (2013) @320
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/89200404/file.html
Texas music legend delivers a solid county performance.
Grammy-winning Texas music legend, Augie Meyers' new CD release, Loves Lost and Found, delivers a bumper crop of country tunes that will be harvested for years to come with seven originals and great covers of songs by Lefty Frizzell, Harlan Howard and long-time compadre, Doug Sahm. Augie says that no matter where he's ever been, his heart has always been in the country. With a 50+ year career that first gained him acclaim with the Sir Douglas Quintet, he's been a member of the Texas Tornados as well as having been featured on landmark albums by Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, John Hammond, Tom Russell and Townes Van Zandt to name a few.
1. But Not Now
2. I Found Love
3. Deed to Texas
4. I Love You a Thousand Ways
5. Side Effect
6. Be Real
7. Where Were You When I Needed You
8. Pick Me Up On Your Way Do
9. The Sun Is Shining Down On Me in Texas
10. Prosperity Street
INFO
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Lost-Found-Augie-Meyers/dp/B00F0R2Y7K
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/augiemeyers
BONUS 2 OF 7
Blues Live In Baton Rouge At The Speak-Easy Excello LP (1972) @320
http://www21.zippyshare.com/v/70995492/file.html
Fine collection of Excell0 blues recorded live. (This album is out of print)
A1
–
Silas Hogan
Hoo Doo Blues
3:32
A2
–
Silas Hogan
Lonesome La La
3:14
A3
–
"Guitar" Kelly
Rock Me Baby
4:31
A4
–
"Guitar" Kelly
Count The Days I'm Gone
4:30
A5
–
Whispering Smith
It's My Own Fault
4:37
B1
–
"Guitar" Kelly
Hurry Down Sunshine
4:13
B2
–
Silas Hogan
Greyhound Bus Station
4:40
B3
–
"Guitar" Kelly
Kelley's Killer
2:31
B4
–
Clarence Edwards
Do You Wanna Jump Children
4:48
B5
–
Clarence Edwards
Coolin' Board
4:04
INFO
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Blues-Live-In-Baton-Rouge-At-The-Speak-Easy/release/4134770
BONUS 3 OF 7
FRED McDOWELL - First Recordings (Rounder) (1959) @320
http://www19.zippyshare.com/v/6703737/file.html
Part of the The Alan Lomax Portrait Series.
In September, 1959, these 14 seminal tracks were recorded by Alan Lomax. Traversing the South with a bulky reel-to-reel tape recorder, this part of his field trip documents the very first recordings (and subsequent "discovery" in folk circles) of McDowell. The recordings were captured outdoors on a front porch, and even though Lomax was recording him at a semi-professional speed on his tape deck (7 1/2 inches per second as opposed to the then-standard 15 ips), seldom did McDowell's subsequent recordings capture this much ambience. Loose and informal, these sides showcase Fred solo and working in tandem with guitarist Miles Pratcher ("I'm Going Down the River," "Shake 'Em On Down," "You're Gonna Be Sorry"), the utterly surreal tissue-paper-and-comb work of Fanny Davis and -- at various times -- his wife Annie Mae ("Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning"), James Shorty ("I Want Jesus to Walk With Me"), Sidney Carter and Rose Hemphill ("When the Train Come Along") on background vocals. As an added bonus for fans and historians alike, ten of the 14 tracks are previously unissued and include some of the best sides Fred ever recorded. (Cub Koda, Allmusic)
INFO
http://www.allmusic.com/album/first-recordings-the-alan-lomax-portrait-series-mw0000027937
http://www.amazon.com/Portraits-First-Recordings-Fred-Mcdowell/dp/B0000002UZ
Somehow I find it difficult to imagine, as the liner notes suggest, The Five Americans squaring off on stage with The Doors or The Jefferson Airplane. Thirty seconds into the first round and it's over. That said, the Five Americans have always been a favorite bubblegum addition to my collection. A full hour straight of the Americans might be a little more than I can take, but shuffled in with the more cerebral Rhythm and Blues, Rock & Roll, or Soul on my iPod and they seem to fit just right.
Thank you, Gyro.
More great Augie; thanks to the G-Man for this one and so many others.
Iggy
Wow, thanks again for this McDowell & the Excello!
Cheers Daniel, from Spain...
Johnny's right about The Five Americans, and this is a nice album.
Thanks to Johnny for the ISB and to Gyro for Excello Blues and MFM!
the isb were still pretty lovable at this stage...
even tho' there is a telltale candle-lit portrait of LRHubbard on the wall in a rear cover shot!...
by No Ruinous Feud & Hard Rope/ST, they were surely shadows of former incred. selves.
they were like an alt universe beatles to some of us for awhile
Thanks
Johnny D, I knew I had all the ISB albums but imagine my surprise to find that Earthspan was only 192. I must have got that years ago. Thanks for the upgrade.
First Girl I Loved is still a major part of my personal soundtrack
Fantastic Music ... I wanted to thank you for hosting such a wonderful site....also any information on artist crispian st peters..tank you again!!!
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