Lost/Forgotten Album #337

[Jon]

Everyone likes a good series so this week we're starting a new series featuring albums that have nothing to do with the other series!

We'll start off with the second (and last) album from Swallow, released in 1973. It's self-titled with the album cover kinda fitting in with that "swallow" thing.

Now, looking at that album cover you might expect something different than what you're gonna get which makes me think of yet another series, but that's for another time. Maybe. 

For now, just keep the album cover in mind while listening to this album and DO NOT read the allmusic.com review (which doesn't like the album cover) until you're finished. Let's see is you're surprised.

Duke & the Drivers had fun living out their fantasy on ABC Records but, under the aegis of the redoubtable Buddy Buie and with help from the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Boston's Swallow were very serious about their craft, and it shows on this collection of understated blues-rock. Vern Miller, Jr. of the Remains, George Leh, and New England personalties Parker Wheeler and Phil Greene (the extra "e" is missing from the legendary engineer's name on this disc) are four of the nine musicians who make up the large outfit. On one of the all-time worst album covers -- a green martian hand holding the nose of the man in the moon (presumably, so he can swallow) -- the nine musicians are displayed above a moonscape, their names out of order with the photos. In 1973, the Atlanta Rhythm Section emerged from the remnants of the Classics IV and, with J.R. Cobb and Barry Bailey of that group on this disc, along with B.J. Thomas/Friend & Lover/Billie Joe Royal producer Buie, one would think Warner Bros. would have been more serious about this outing. Most of the titles are by Miller, making the album a statement by the man Danny Klein of the J. Geils Band calls his favorite bass player. Two co-writes by Leh are included, along with two Randy Newman songs, "Illinois" and the often covered "I'll Be Home." Although Buie co-wrote all the hits of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, his magic is not added here, and perhaps that is what is missing. The record is better than decent -- it is very good -- despite the fact there is no hit to launch it from obscurity. Greene went on to engineer Beaver Brown, New Kids on the Block, and the sessions this writer did with Buddy Guy in 1986, while blind singer Leh developed a following and great reputation performng around the Boston area. "Georgia, Pack My Bags" isn't a hit, nor is "Rockin' Shoes"; perhaps the closest thing to a potential chart climber is "Don't Tell Mama," some kind of answer, not to Etta James, but to Savoy Brown's minor hit from their 1971 Street Corner Talking album, "Tell Mama." At least they showed respect for their elders! There was much potential here; it's too bad the label and/or management mishandled the look of the album, and failed to give this large group a couple of songs their musicianship could work with to reach the masses. But, for fans of the legendary Remains, it is another chapter in the career of Vern Miller and an essential item in order for their collections to be complete.

Swallow

1. Georgia, Pack My Bags
2. Rockin' Shoes
3. Illinois
4. I Get My Rocks Off Rockin'
5. I'll Be Home
6. Don't Tell Mama
7. Let It Roll
8. That's What My Love Is For
9. I Was Born To Sit Back
10. Helping Hand

 

Availability: Around $3-4 new. 

 

[Scott]

This reminds me of a joke about a girl I once knew...  but since this is a family site, I'll refrain from telling it...

[Jon]

Don't be a wuss. Spit it out.

[Scott]

[RJhog (Admin)]

Never heard of these geezers, but I instantly like it.  That rhythm guitar reminds me of Skynyrd's What's Your Name.  And that's how you do horns.  Perfect.  To top it all off, it's about my home state! As I listen along, I can't help but enjoy the mighty fine guitar playing.  It's very southern feeling.  Can't say I Get My Rocks Off Rockin' works all that well for me, but they follow it up with a very nice ballad, undoubtedly a cover of a Randy Newman song that I've never heard before.

I get a bit of a Little Feat feel on Don't Tell Mama.  Love the backing vocals.  Awesome song. And it has cowbell! Again, not crazy about the rockabilly or swingabilly or whatever style that is on Let It Roll.  Another excellent backing vocal on the following song.  Not sayin' it's the greatest all-time song or anything, but the chorus is really good. 

Closing it out is the gospel styled Helping Hand.  Seriously, this album is quite varied, and much better than I would have thought looking at the cover and having never even heard the band name.

Good pick this week Snowman!

[Scott]

So I truly didn’t read the allmusic review prior to listening and you know when I say something I mean it and you can bank on it! I did read RJ post though – see how honest I am?

Even though it’s a song about Georgia, I hear more Chicago that guitar work sounds like very early Terry Kath rhythms, not nearly as good as him, but the feel was there. Very early REO (Pre-Cronin) sounds similar as well, this is very Mid-West to me. And now that we’ve arrived at the Illinois track, I’m convinced this is the sounds I’m hearing.

“Don’t Tell Mama” convinces me it’s a mid-western band, and keep in mind I haven’t read the all music review yet.

Loads of boogie rock on here, good time rag rock, lots of background vocals that are also reminiscent of the band Chicago. This is pretty good actually, not as good, but very interesting. Finally get a taste of lead guitar with I Was Born To Sit Back, and it’s not terrible, not blistering blues guitar, but a nice change of pace.

The closer gives a vivid feel of the Blues Brothers… hahaha, again good time rock and roll, party rock, whatever you want to call its fun. Now let’s go read that review because I haven’t read it yet… BRB…

OK, I’m back now. Well, all that proved is that you can totally trust me when I write something, apparently, I’m way off on the Midwestern thing, but whatever, I heard it and I stand by it. Nice post sir!!