Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Everlasting Tribute
Company: Golden Throat
Catalog: 200-19
Year: 1972
Grade (cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: still in shrink wrap; only played twice
Available: 1
Price: $150.00
First, here's what little we know about the band. Singer George Faber, guitarist Garrett Oostdyk, drummer J. Michael Powers and bass player Tabe (guess he couldn't afford a last name) originally formed in 1963. Based in Champaign, Illinois they spent the next five years playing college campuses and local clubs.
Based on information obtained from the limited liner notes, the eight tracks were recorded at Chicago's Chess Studios and Golden Voice Studios (?) over a ten month period between September 1968 and June 1969. The tapes were shelved and only released three years later. Co-produced by guitarist Oostdyk and Genevra Shirley, the results were energetic, if rather raw (the band clearly didn't have the resources required for a great deal of post-production work). Musically "Everlasting Tributes" was rather dynamic. Probably a reflection of their surroundings (Chess studios), much of the album sported a heavy electric blues feel ("Who's Been Talkin'" and "Restrictions"). That may not sound like a promising description, but the results were actually surprisingly accomplished. Backed by Faber's growling voice and harmonica and Oostdyk's feedback soaked guitar leads ("Hooked"), it may not have been the year's most original offering, but these guys generated considerable energy. At the other end of the spectrum, tracks such as the fragile "Swelling Waters", "Outcast" (with another great guitar solo) and a cover of The Kink's "I'm Not Like Everyone Else", offered up a more conventional, rock-oriented sound. (You probably already guessed, but this is one of those albums that sounds better with the volume cranked way up ...) Pressed in miniscule quantities, the set's rather rare and sought after.
"Everlasting Tributes" track listing:
1.) Who's Been Talkin'
2.) Swelling Waters
3.) Outcast
4.) I'm Not Like Everyone Else (Ray Davies) -
5.) Hooked
6.) Once I was a Boy
7.) It All Ends
8.) Restrictions
There are some well made counterfeits on the market, as well as an illicit mid-'80s release by the French Eva label. 1984's "Practice Sessions" compiles the original LP plus three bonus tracks. 1993 also saw Eva reissue it in CD format.
Witness the following news clip from The Champaign News-Gazzette, at least two of the original members still perform in the Chicago area:
URBANA – In the 1960s, the Midwest knew
them as the Finchley Boys. Tuesday, they were just three middle-aged guys
with acoustic guitars and drums. But man, they made the jailhouse rock.
While most people spent Christmas Day with family, Jim Cole, George Faber
and Michael Powers spent a good part of the afternoon at the Champaign
County Juvenile Detention Center. Tough crowd, but the veteran musicians had
them laughing and clapping by the third song – Faber's rap version of
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas."