Trevor Rabin before he joined Yes related ‘Wolf’ in 1980.
It is a classic hard rock album with no bad tracks.
The albums that just got lost in rock history
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
Here it is…enjoy!
Before that he put out some stuff that was very much in the Township Jazz style. From the YouTube notes.
South African band formed in Johannesburg in the 1970s by 6 of the best musicians this country has ever had:
• Trevor Rabin – guitar, keyboards, bass, vibes
• Kevin Kruger – drums, percussion
• Malcolm Watson – guitar
• Mike Makhalemele – tenor sax
• Themba Mehlomakulu – trumpet
• Kiepie Moeketsi – alto sax
As per the cover notes, “Soul of the City were born out of Johannesburg, South Africa, and reflect the music and feelings of ‘Egoli’ – the City of Gold”.
This song is off the album “City Soul And Diagonal Street Blues”, released in 1975. It was written by Trevor Rabin.
Goodness, I bought this LP from the old HMV store on Oxford St during a day trip to London back in the 80s, I think. Still have it somewhere too, although I hadn’t listened to it for years until now. IIRC, it was produced by Ray Davies, who also co-wrote the last track. I have his previous 1978 solo album as well, Face To Face (featuring the track “Candy’s Bar”, which is about “a quaint little place down in Yorkshire”). Both very much of their time, or about five years before that time; Rabin’s vocals are perhaps adequate rather than outstanding, but there are good choons and classic riffage aplenty. Teenage me was a big fan.
By comparison, his post-Yes solo release “Can’t Look Away”, produced by Bob Ezrin, is a more mature and varied album that’s closer to his work with them.
McGear. Has been reissued but was a complete flop on release. Basically a lost Wings album with brother Mike on lead vocals.
That’s another LP I could have mentioned on my “What album did you get from a bargain bin for 25p that’s turned out to be brilliant?” I spotted McGear in a sale box at Virgin Records in Plymouth in around 1975; I was already familiar with his name – from the Scaffold connection – and a closer look at the cover art revealed a little Macca peering at me from the bottom right corner, and there was Linda, on horseback, up at the top. Intrigued, I took the album out of its vinyl sleeve, the better to see what the inner gate-fold might reveal. There was the name McCartney again, on almost everything, plus the rest of the Wings team, a BBC newsreader, a Chieftain and Buzz Aldrin. All original material apart from one well-chosen Roxy cover, and a full-sized gate-fold lyric sheet to-boot. Sold! And what a fine work it is – it’s been a great favourite of mine ever since. Private Norton reporting for duty, Sah!
I’m going to nominate Ben Kweller’s self titled album. Like a cross between the Velvets and Steve Miller Band, with really strong songwriting. Don’t like anything he did before or after anywhere near as much.
I’m going with Kevin Gilbert – “The Shaming Of The True”
I think this was his second solo album and was released posthumously. in 2000. Before that he was a member of Toy Matinee (whose album could also be nominated here) – with Pat Leonard and Guy Pratt. He was also heavily involved in Sheryl Crow’s debut album.
The album title is apparently a reference to a Shakespeare play, but I can’t remember which one…..
Together Through Life by Bob Dylan, one that got overlooked mostly because all the songs are co-written with Robert Hunter.. damn the critics, I really rate it. David Hidalgo and Mike Campbell in the band, and sound quality to die for.
Want to know why Dylan went electric?
I’ll save you time, while also saving some Rain Forests:
‘Another Side’, my fave Dylan album, got to No. 43 on Billboard.
Also my favourite… I’m agreeing with you again?!?
I’m an agreeable kinda guy. It happens.
Seriously though, it is incredible how few people have noticed this… I bet Albert did.
‘No. 43… Robert… we need a word”.
Space Shanty by Khan.
Steve Hillage returns to the musical fray, he having left Arzachel, formerly Uriel, to go off to Uni. Arzachel renamed themselves as Egg after his departure.
Here he is back with a post-Egg Dave Stewart again, in fine form before heading off with Kevin Ayers and then Gong.
This was a precursor to Hatfield And The North and then National Health.
I was very taken with Tell God I’m Here by Hurrah! back in the 1980s.
The were on the Kitchenware label along with The Kane Gang and Prefab Sprout so the pedigree was good.
It was a splendid album.
The Kane Gang went one better and made two very good albums. Well, alright, one very good and one pretty good. Both sank without trace, anyhow.