Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Pugsley
Munion
Company: J&S
Catalog: SLP-0001
Year: 1969
Grade
(cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: includes
bonus black and white group promotional photo
Available: 1
Price: $50.00
|
Fitchburg, Massachusetts' contribution to the late-'60s blues craze, Pugsley Munion sported the talents of vocalist/bassist John Schuller, guitarist T. Belliveau and drummer Ed (nope, he apparently didn't have a last name). The trio managed to record a 1969 album for the small J&S label. Produced by Zell Sanders,
"Just Like You" wasn't half bad. Responsible for all nine tracks, Schuller and Belliveau (credited with co-writing four of the selections) were decent writers with an ear for churning blues-rock ("Take My Soul"). Sure, the vocals were frequently strained and there wasn't a shred of originality on Cream and Mountain influenced tracks such as "Slumberland Blues", "Second Time for Me" or "". On the other hand, "I Don't Know Who To Blame" offered up some first rate screaming guitar, the organ-propelled "What's Right For Me" would've made Deep Purple proud and the atypical acoustic ballad "Just Like You" boasted a sweet melody. Besides, the trio offered up more enthusiasm than many of their name brand competitors and remeber that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. All told, one of the better undiscovered era offerings. (Original copies of the album seem to have included a bonus 8 x 10 promotional black and white group photo.)
As a sidebar, the album seems to be readily available. We've read different explanations for that availability. One is that there was a large warehouse find. The other is that excellent boots flooded the market. Don't know which is true, so take your chances ... The set's also been reissued by the Gear Fab label in CD format.
"Just Like You" track listing:
1.) What's Right for Me (John Schuller) - 6:53
2.) Second Time for Me (John Schuller) - 3:35
3.) Take My Soul (John Schuller - T. Belliveau) - 5:42
4.) Just Like You (John Schuller) - 2:57
5.) Slumberland Blues (John Schuller - T. Belliveau) - 2:11
6.) No Time Tomorrow (John Schuller - T. Belliveau) - 6:06
7.) Trouble (John Schuller) - 5:11
8.) Collage Thought (John Schuller) - 4:19
9.) I Don't Know Who To Blame (John Schuller - T. Belliveau) - 5:19
|