Brother Fox and the Tar Baby

Band members               Related acts

- Richie Bartlett - guitar (1968-70)
- Tom Belliveau - bass (1968-70)
- Dave Christiansen - guitar (1968-70)
- Bill Garr - drums, percussion (1968-70)
- Steve High - vocals, percussion (1968-70)
- Joe Santangelo - keyboards (1968-70) 
 

 

- The Fools (Richie Bartlett)

- Pugsley Munion (Tom Belliveau)

 

 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Brother Fox and the Tar Baby

Company: Oracle

Catalog: ORS 703

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Price: $50.00

 

 First off a truth-in-advertising warning. We've seen this item show up on a number of high priced psych lists. If you're expecting oodles of Fender feedback and drug scorched personas, then this one's going to be too pop oriented to appeal to you. 

Interesting how public sensitivities change over time. Dare you to start a band with this name today !!! Boston's Brother Fox and the Tar Baby featured the talents of former Profits and The Front Page Review guitarist Richie Bartlett, ex-Pugsley Munion bassist Tom Belliveau, guitarist Dave Christiansen, drummer Bill Garr, singer Steve High and keyboardist Joe Santangelo.

One of the era's isolated bi-racial bands, the group were signed by the small Oracle label, which released 1969's Bruce Patch produced "Brother Fox and the Tar Baby". With Christiansen credited with penning all 11 tracks, the result was an odd hodge-podge of musical styles. Quite diverse, the set includes stabs at conventional hard rock ("We All Love Him"), Tom Jones-styled MOR ballads ("I Start To Cry") and the plain bizarre ("Maxie the Meanie"). The first time we listened to it, we were a little underwhelmed, but repeated playings reward the listener. Clearly not the year's most innovative album, there are still numerous tracks worth hearing. To our ears the highlights included "Metal Soldier", "Three Tots and a Man" and their most psych-oriented track "Mr. Sleepy". (The album was original released in a gatefold sleeve.)

"Brother Fox and the Tar Baby" track listing:
1.) Electric Chair (Dave Christiansen) - 
2.) Old Ladies (Dave Christiansen) - 
3.) Steel Dog Men (Dave Christiansen) - 
4.) Maxie the Meanie (Dave Christiansen) - 
5.) We All Love Him (Dave Christiansen) - 
6.) To Your Dreams (Dave Christiansen) - 
7.) Three Tots and a Man (Dave Christiansen) - 
8.) I Start To Cry (Dave Christiansen) - 
9.) Metal Soldier (Dave Christiansen) - 
10.) Mr. Sleepy (Dave Christiansen) - 
11.) Crazy John (Dave Christiansen) - 


Capitol subsequently acquired distribution rights, reissuing the collection nationally (catalog number ST-544).

Bartlett reappeared as a member of The Fools (see separate entries).

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