Colin Blunstone (1978) Photograph

A melodic Yacht Rock song from the former Zombies front man who continued to have a moderately successful solo career, this sweeping song doesn't complement his hushed tone but has a nice arrangement with a mellow synthesizer line.

Rolling Stones (1976) Fool to Cry

From their Black n Blue (1976) album, an unremarkable collections of songs displaying a lot of terse funk and reggae influenced jams; a mid point as they auditioned guitarists to replace Mick Taylor. The album was built around two touching keyboard ballads; Memory Motel and this touching tribute to Mick Jagger's daughter.
Beginning with a strong swell of Nicky Hopkins's String Synthesizer, before a mix of electric piano and organ provide a melancholic wash over this dreary tale. Jagger's uses a deep bluesmen's voice for the song as he spits out the story more in speech then singing. This leads to a nice transition to the angelic chorus of 'ooh daddy you're a fool to cry' The dialogue of the song gives it a nice feel, re imagining an important event possibly Jagger is the child..probably not but it's nice to interpret things like this.
Once again wrapped in a hazy, foggy vibe that defined their 70s output it lacks an assured guitar part from someone like Brian Jones or Mick Taylor who would take the song to an unlikely dimension. Thankfully though the band do just that as they pick up the pace for the outro as the song swings and churns into a swing punctuated by slide guitar licks and Hopkins' pervading String Synth sailing along; a roller coaster of moods composed expertly.
I'll admit when I first heard this song a few years ago it didn't strike me like Memory Motels' hesitant opening notes, I found it too bland but now I appreciate the unique 'quiet storm' atmosphere more due to the tasteful change of gears at the end similar to Zeppelin' Rain Song four years prior; specifically the floating string synth part by Nicky Hopkins. I also love the refreshingly raw subject that is all about parenthood over say the standard romance/heartbroken dilemma of 90% of lyrics.


A subtle slice of haunting easy listening that is in keeping with the wounded theme of the albums' other ballad and the title but you can't help feeling the tacky attempt at funk Hot Stuff, the cover of Cherry Oh Baby as well the other heavy songs don't feel as if they belong with the same time frame let alone album. They're not as memorable or as fitting to the mood and maybe should have been let off for the harder edged Some Girls album.

White Water (1973) (Caught Up In) White Water

This RCA act came from a similarly named 60's group in Providence RI called the Blue Jays with a funky horn sound not representative of the band name.  Their first album with an odd cover picture of an impaled nymph is a decent funk rock effort if a little bland and derivative lacking in any unique personality. The self titled track is a piano led love lost track with a nice seaside mix of plodding piano and surging trumpets in a rocked out soul number. 'Caught up in white water babe, Can't get back and can't get through' are the lyrics and I'm reminded of Stax production mixing with the Allman Brothers.

Feather (1970) Friends

A group from LA featuring John Townshend(of Sanford Townshend Band), this minor hit mixes a pastoral harmonies of sunshine pop with a sturdy RnB ryhthm section. While its a bit of a mess of trading vocals and group vocals you can clearly detect Townshend's masculine blues voice singin the refrain 'to talk it over'.

Kansas (1975) It's You

This track is representative of Steve Walsh contribution of rock to Kansas as well as the slightly more pop based material of the Masque album drifting away from the heavy prog of the Song for America album and the unique midwest boogie of their 1974.
This short but sweet rocker is drenched in Robby Steinhardts' violin and the chugging rhythm section of Dave Hope and Phil Ehart in this pretty straightforward track that sounds tailored for AM radio airplay as opposed to their usual repertoire.

Joe Walsh (1975) Help Me Thru the Night

A sign of things to come this devastatingly mellow track is Joe Walsh' audition for the Eagles. With Henley Frey et al on backing harmonies while Joe handles the acoustic guitars, solo and the startlingly restrained vocal performance that conveys this tragic loss of his daughter. This song proved he was capable of providing some developed singer songwriter balladry similar to the Eagles best known songs.

Poco (1974) Bitter Blue

From one of their best written albums, the Contamos album,  this Tim Schmidt gem has nice down trodden verses launching into a chorus powered by strong backing vocals. There is a nice bridge in this ode to a bittersweet romance that Poco did well balancing their country pop sound with a soulful intensity.