Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Love
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74001
Year: 1966
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Arthur Lee and Love are one of rock's biggest mysteries. Enormously talented, the group recorded several era classics, but ongoing personnel changes and Lee's own eccentric behavior
effectively limited the group to the status of cult classics.
Having previously recorded with The American Four, The L.A.G.'s, and Ronnie and the Pomonas (see separate entries), in 1965 the multi-talented Lee decided to form his own band. Recruiting bassist Don Conka, guitarists John Echols and Bryan MacLean, and drummer Johnny Fleckenstein, the quintet began working the Los Angeles club circuit as The Grass Roots. For obvious reasons electing to rechrisiten themselves Love (in the process replacing Conka and Fleckenstein with Ken Forssi and Alban Pfisterer),.
By late 1965 the band emerged as one of the first groups to successfully blend Southern California folk-rock and English rock genres. Led by the charismatic and eccentric Lee, the band also had the distinction of being one of the first integrated bands to gain a recording contract.
Following the release of an unsuccessful 1964 single for the small local LSD label ("Do the Marlin, Baby" b/w "House of the Rising
Sun" (LSD catalog number )), the band was signed Jac Holtzman's Elektra
Records. Produced by Holzman, their self-titled 1966 debut featured an exhilarating
combination of American and English rock styles (including one of the first covers of Dino Valente's "Hey Joe"). Among the highlights were the band's anxious cover of Bacharach-David's "My Little Red Book" and MacLean's "Softly To Me". Elsewhere, off-the-wall, psychedelic meanderings such as "Colored Balls Falling" and "Mushroom Clouds" served to showcase Lee's pleasant, if unexceptional voice. While
"Love" attracted favorable press and generated considerable FM airplay, it proved a modest seller, peaking at #57.
"Love" track listing:
1.) My Little Red Book (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) - 2:30
2.) Can't Explain (John Echols - Johnny Fleckenstein - Arthur Lee)- 2:35
3.) Message To Pretty (Arthur Lee) - 3:10
4.) My Flash On You (Arthur Lee) - 2:05
5.) Softly To Me (Bryan MacLean) - 3:10
6.) No Matter What You Do (Arthur Lee) - 2:40
7.) Emotions (John Echols - Arthur Lee) - 1:55
8.) You'll Be Following (Arthur Lee) - 2:25
9.) Gazing (Arthur Lee) - 2:40
10.) Hey Joe (Dino Valente) - 2:38
11.) Signed D.C. (Arthur Lee) - 2:44
12.) Colored Balls Falling (Arthur Lee) - 1:50
13.) Mushroom Clouds (John Echols - Ken Forssi - Arthur Lee - Bryan MacLean)
- 2:45
14.) And More (Arthur Lee - Bryan MacLean) - 2:56
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Title: Da Copa
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74005
Year: 1967
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
1967's "Da Capo" found Lee and company stretching out, incorporating woodwinds (courtesy of Tjay
Canrelli), orchestration and state-of-the-art production values into the mix. Epitamized by material such as "Orange Skies", "7 & 7 Is" and "She Comes In Colors" the album featured a distinctive psychedelic
sound. Ironically, when The Beatles duplicated the approach on "Sgt. Pepper" they were
greeted with acclaim, while some critics branded Love as snobbish sell-outs (somewhat understandable after you listen to the pompous sidelong "Revelation"). Faltering at #80, the set proved a minor commercial disappointment. Moreover, adding to the group's ongoing problems, Cantrelli and drummer Pfisterer quit, Michael Stuart assuming drumming duties.
"Da Copa" track listing:
1.) Stephanie Knows Who - 2:33
2.) Orange Skies - 2:49
3.) Que Vida - 3:37
4.) 7 & 7 Is - 2:15
5.) Castle - 3:00
6.) She Comes in Colors - 2:43
7.) Revelation - 18:57
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Title: Forever Changes
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74013
Year: 1967
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Whereas Lee had always been the band's front
man, with
"Forever Changes" he assumed dominant control; co-producing with Bruce
Botnick. Lee was also credited with arranging, writing nine of eleven cuts
and handling vocals on all but two tracks. Somewhat slicker than the previous release, the collection found the band diving headlong into
psychedelia. Propelled by suitably quirky material such as "Maybe the People Would Be the Times of Between Clark and
Hilldale", "The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This" and "Andmoreagain" (you didn't have to work too hard to wonder what illicit chemicals they'd been ingesting), the collection went a long way to reinforcing the band's growing reputation as FM and underground favorites. Interestingly, MacLean's two contributions ("Alone Again Or" and "Old Man!") were among the highlights. Unfortunately, in spite of generous reviews (many critics labeled it the band's best offering), the album failed to sell, unable to climb higher than #152.
"Forever Changes" track listing:
1.) Alone Again Or (Bryan MacLean) - 3:15
2.) House Is Not a Mote (Arthur Lee)l - 3:25
3.) Andmoreagain (Arthur Lee) - 3:15
4.) Daily Planet (Arthur Lee) - 3:25
5.) Old Man! (Bryan MacLean) - 2:57
6.) Red Telephone (Arthur Lee) - 4:45
7.) Maybe the People Would Be the Times Between Clark and Hilldale (Arthur Lee) - 3:30
8.) Live and Let Live (Arthur Lee) - 5:24
9.) Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This (Arthur Lee) - 3:00
10.) Bummer in the Summer (Arthur Lee) - 2:20
11.) You Set the Scene (Arthur Lee) - 6:49
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Four Sail
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74049
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Thoroughly frustrated with the lack of widespread commercial success, Lee fired the rest of the band, recruiting a new lineup composed of guitarist Jay
Donnellan, bassist Frank Fayad and drummer George Suranovich. Released in late-1969,
"Love Four Sail" could have been a Lee solo effort. In addition to producing and arranging, Lee composed all ten tracks
(Donnellan credited with co-writing "Singing Cowboy (coincidently the set's best track)). Suitably eclectic, the album found Lee bouncing all over the musical spectrum. With much of the set reflecting a laidback,
pseudo-jazzy feel ("I'm with You" and "Good Times"), "August" recalled the band's earlier psychedelic leanings, while "Your Friend and Mine - Neil's Song" was an oldies-styled shuffle. Again, there was no denying Lee's talent, but the set was simply too quirky to be considered a major artistic success. Adding to Lee's problems, with the album stalling at #102, Elektra decided to drop the band. Lee quickly signed with Blue Thumb.
"Love Four Sail" track listing:
1.) August (Arthur Lee) - 5:00
2.) Your Friend and Mine - Neil's Song (Arthur Lee) - 3:40
3.) I'm with You (Arthur Lee) - 3:45
4.) Good Times (Arthur Lee) - 3:30
5.) Singing Cowboy (Arthur Lee - Jay Donnellan) - 4:30
6.) Dream (Arthur Lee) - 2:49
7.) Robert Montgomery (Arthur Lee) - 3:34
8.) Nothing (Arthur Lee) - 4:44
9.) Talking In My Sleep (Arthur Lee) - 2:50
10.) Always See Your Face (Arthur Lee) - 3:30
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Out Here
Company: Blue Thumb
Catalog: BTS-9000
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record):
Comments: double album; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $
More than a little optimistic about the band's commercial chances, Blue Thumb didn't hesitate to shell out some big money for the group's label debut. Self-produced,
"Out Here" offered up a 17 track, double album set. Musically the set was somewhat of a hodgepodge, pulling together a mixture of new studio efforts ("Stand Out" and the non-too-subtle drug
paen "Signed D.C.") and material originally planned for inclusion on the previous studio set. Largely abandoning their earlier sound, extended numbers such as "Doggone" and "Love More Better Than Words" found Lee and company opting for what was almost heavy metal. Taken in small bits the results weren't bad ("I'll Pray for You" and ""), but stretched over four sides and clocking in at over an hour, one was left begging for relief. Faltering at #176 the album continued the band's commercial decline (curiously, the set managed to hit #29 in England). (The collection was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) As was to be expected, the set was following by another personnel spasm; drummer Suranovich being replaced by Drachen Theaker (formerly of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown), who was in turn replaced by the recently departed
Suranovich.
"Out Here" track listing:
1.) I'll Pray for You (Arthur Lee) - 3:50
2.) Abalony (Arthur Lee) - 1:50
3.) Signed D.C. (Arthur Lee) - 5:15
4.) Listen to My Song (Arthur Lee) - 2:28
5.) I'm Down (Arthur Lee) - 4:48
6.) Stand Out (Arthur Lee) - 3:00
7.) Discharged (Arthur Lee) - 1:30
8.) Doggone (Arthur Lee) - 12:00
9.) I Still Wonder (Jay Donnellan - Arthur Lee) - 3:05
10.) Love More Better Than Words (Arthur Lee) - 11:20
11.) Nice To Be (Jay Donnellan - Arthur Lee) - 1:50
12.) Car Lights on in the Daytime Blues (Arthur Lee) - 1:10
13.) Run to the Top (Arthur Lee) - 3:00
14.) Willow Willow (Arthur Lee) - 3:22
15.) Instra-Menatal (Arthur Lee) - 3:00
16.) You Are Something (Arthur Lee) - 2:05
17.) Gather Round (Arthur Lee) - 5:50
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Love Revisited
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS-74049
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record): gatefold sleeve
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
With the band having switched to Blue Thumb, 1970's
"Love Revisited" was a clear effort by Elektra to recoup some of it's sizable earlier investment. Drawn from the band's four Elektra studio sets, the 13 tracks were pretty darn impressive. Hearing material such as "Softly To Me", the meltdown guitar powered "Your Mind and We Belong Together" and "Signed D.C." one had to wonder why these guys remained virtual unknowns. Hardly a commercial breakthrough, given the fact most of their catalog was already out of print, the collection was worth tracking down. Inexcusably the set only reached #142. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Love Revisited" track listing:
1.) My Little Red Book (Hal David - Burt Bacharach) - 2:20
2.) Softly To Me (Bryan MacLean) - 3:10
3.) Hey Joe (Dino Valenti) - 2:38
4.) Signed D.C. (Arthur Lee) - 2:44
5.) 7 and 7 Is (Arthur Lee) - 2:15
6.) Orange Skies (Bryan MacLean) - 2:49
7.) Your Mind and We Belong Together (Arthur Lee) - 4:22
8.) She Comes In Colors (Arthur Lee) - 2:43
9.) Alone Again Or (Bryan MacLean) - 3:15
10.) Andmoreagain (Arthur Lee) - 3:15
11.) Your Friend and Mine - Neil's Song (Arthur Lee) - 3:40
12.) Good Times (Arthur Lee) - 3:30
13.) You Set the Scene (Arthur Lee) - 6:49
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: False Start
Company: Blue Thumb
Catalog: BTS-8822
Year: 1971
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
Aptly titled, "False
Start" provided the group's second and final release for Blue Thumb. Written, producer and arranged by Lee, the result might as well have been a solo effort;
Fayad, Rickett, Rowles and Suranovich reduced to little more than a background role. Musically the set was fairly varied, bouncing from Jimi Hendrix-influenced metal ("Ride That Vibration" and the live "Stand Out") to pop
("Gimi a Little Break" and "Keep On Shining"). Elsewhere, "The Everlasting First" was notable for including one of Hendrix's final recording
appearances. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) Peaking at #184, the set was a commercial disaster, Lee promptly firing the band.
"False Start" track listing:
1.) The Everlasting First (Arthur Lee) - 3:01
2.) Flying (Arthur Lee) - 2:37
3.) Gimi a Little Break (Arthur Lee) - 4:10
4.) Stand Out (live) (Arthur Lee) - 3:35
5.) Keep on Shining (Arthur Lee) - 3:50
6.) Anytime (Arthur Lee) - 3:23
7.) Slick Dick (Arthur Lee) - 3:05
8.) Love Is Coming (Arthur Lee) - 1:24
9.) Feel Daddy Feel Good (Arthur Lee) - 3:15
10.) Ride That Vibration (Arthur Lee) - 3:34
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Real To Reel
Company: RSO
Catalog: RS-4804
Year: 1974
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $
After a three year break, during which time he released a solo album (see separate entry), Lee reactivated Love. With assistance from bassists Sherwood Akuna and Robert
Rozelle, drummer Joe Blocker and guitarists John Sterling and Melvan Whittington the band signed with Robert Stigwood's RSO label. Unfortunately, in an era of disco madness, Lee's decision to stake out an R&B-cum-soul stance, as well as his ongoing penchant for '60s psychedelia ("Which Witch Is Which") fell on deaf ears. In spite of some nifty moments (the bluesy "Stop the Music," "Who Are You" and the Stax-infuenced "Good Old Fashion Dream"), 1974's
"Reel To Real" proved a complete artistic and commercial flop. Shortly after the album's release the new Love disbanded.
"Reel To Real" track listing:
1.) Time Is Like a River (Arthur Lee) - 3:08
2.) Stop the Music (Arthur Lee) - 5:01
3.) Who Are You (Arthur Lee) - 3:06
4.) Good Old Fashion Dream (Arthur Lee) - 2:31
5.) Which Witch Is Which (Arthur Lee) - 2:01
6.) With a Little Energy (Arthur Lee) - 2:58
7.) Singing Cowboy (Arthur Lee - Jay Donelian) - 3:07
8.) Be Thankful for What You Got (Wiliiam DeVaughn) - 4:31
9.) You Said You Would (Arthur Lee) - 3:00
10.) Busted Feed (Arthur Lee- Charles Karp) - 2:33
11.) Everybody's Gotta Live (Arthur Lee) - 3:18
Rating: *** ( 3 stars)
Title: Love Studio/Love Live
Company: MCA
Catalog: 27025-1
Year: 1982
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
Price: $8.00
Released by MCA, 1982's "Love Studio/Love
Live" was an odd package. Drawn from the band's
early-'70s Blue Thumb catalog, the eight studio selections actually
represented Lee and company at their creative nadir (okay, maybe the RSO
album was worse). It was almost fitting
that the standout track wasn't even a Lee composition. Written by
drummer Jay Donnellan, "I Still Wonder" sounded like it was drawn from
the band's 1966-67 recordings and served as the set's highlight. At least
worth hearing were Lee's bouncy "You Are Something to Me", the
freak out guitar segment in "Love Is More Than Words (Or Better Late Than
Never)" and the somber Dylanesque (always wanted to use that word) "Gather Round". The four live selections
represented previously unreleased material drawn from performances at the Fillmore
East. To be honest the live performances were a disappointment. Lee and company weren't bad, just
came off as surprisingly pedestrian and faceless rock band. By the
way, it was interesting to see - Jay Donnellan's writing credit was
dropped from "Singing Cowboy". (Also nice to see MCA investing so much time and care in the cover art ...)
"Love Live" track listing:
1.) I Still Wonder (Jay Donnellan) - 3:08
2.) Listen to My Song (Arthur Lee) - 2:23
3.) You Are Something to Me (Arthur Lee) - 2:05
4.) Doggone (Arthur Lee) - 3:14
5.) Love Is More Than Words (Or Better Late Than Never)
(Arthur Lee) - 2:25
6.) Willow Willow (Arthur Lee) - 3:21
7.) Nice to Be (Arthur Lee) - 1:54
8.) Gather Round (Arthur Lee) - 3:41
9.) Stand Out (Arthur Lee) - 3:33
10.) Product of the Times (Arthur Lee) - 4:43
11.) Keep on Shining (Arthur Lee) - 4:23
12.) Singing Cowboy (Arthur Lee) - 7:38