J Geils Band (1970) Homework - LOST70sGEMS

 The J Geils Band was in actual fact the J Geils Blues Band and it tells, this would be over decade away from their super hits of the early 80s once they were refashioned as a hip synthpop group. But here there is still some rawness and soul, it is the early 70s of course and the two pronged horn like guitar sustains of Ice Breaker is something amongst the derivative unoriginal repackaging of the blues that frequently dominates this early effort. Hard Drivin Man features some prominent guitar stomps, while the Steve Cropper sounding guitar jangle is a highlight of What's Your Hurry, then there is the sizzling gospel organ of On Borrowed Time and finally the long high-pitched harmonica note of album closer Sno-Cone which starts at about 1.11 into the song.

 Homework with it's wacky slide guitar, steadfast drums and simple glam rock like bop is instantly my favourite, probably because of the doubled vocals by Peter Wolf on the only track where he isnt' ripping off Dylan or Reed and for the astounding harmonising slide guitars wrestling at in an acrobatic tangle at 1.04. The endless row of oriental hammer-ons in unison is arresting and genuinely original; chiming in a girly twang.