Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Blind Faith
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 2
Price: $7.00
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Blind Faith
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $7.00
Having debuted before a crowd of 100,000 fans with a free concert in London's Hyde Park (filmed but never released), the group was quickly signed to Atlantic's ATCO subsidiary. Teamed with producer Jimmy Miller, the quartet's self-titled debut was remarkable for its understatement. While "Blind Faith" had more than it's share of highlights, including Clapton's version of "In the Presence of the Lord" and Winwood's extended "Had To Cry Today", elsewhere the set was less consistent, ranging from merely pleasant (a cover of Buddy Holly's "Well All Right") to pointless (Baker's 15 minute plus "Do What You Like"). While the performances were thoroughly professional (Winwood was particularly impressive), the four principles frequently sounded tense and uncomfortable in their surroundings. Inevitably the album attracted immense media attention, ultimately topping the American charts. (Interestingly, the collection's original cover art, showing an innocent looking, topless 11 year old girl holding a phallic shaped object, provoked a major controversy in the States. ATCO quickly reissued the set with a more sedate group photo.)
"Blind Faith" track listing:
1.) Had To Cry Today (Steve Winwood) - 8:49
2.) Can't Find My Way Home (Steve Winwood) - 3:17
3.) Well All Right (Petty - Buddy Holly - Allison - Maudlin) - 4:28
4.) Presence of the Lord (Eric Clapton) - 4:50
5.) Sea of Joy (Steve Winwood) - 5:22
6.) Do What You Like (Ginger Baker) - 15:20
Having slogged their way through a brief Scandinavian tour and an eight week, 24 date American tour, tired and frustrated with the media hype, the four principles subsequently elected to throw in the towel and go their separate ways at the end of the year.
In 1972 RSO Records reissued the album (with the original cover art). The collection promptly reentered the Billboard charts at #126.