line-up 1 (1969-71)

- Bartholomew (aka Bart Meola) (RIP 1996) -- vocals, guitar
- Gregg Hollister -- vocals, bass
- Bobby Howe -- vocals, drums, percussion
  

  line-up 2 (1971)

- Bartholomew (aka Bart Meola) (RIP 1996) - - vocals, guitar

NEW - Greg Hollenbeck - drums, percussion (replaced 

  Bobby Howe)
- Gregg Hollister -- vocals, bass

  

- The Rockspurs (Gregg Hollister)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Anthem

Company: Buddah

Catalog: BDS 5071

Year: 1970

Country/State: Rockland, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor cover wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 72

Price: $25.00

Cost: $1.00

Here's a short-lived trio that I'd like to know more about ...

Formed in Rockland County, New York, guitarist Bart Meola, bassist Gregg Hollister and drummer Bobby Howe came together in the late 1960s.  Originally working as a quartet under the name Hit 'N' Run they became a popular act throughout lower New York and along the Jersey Shore.  By the time they were signed by Buddah Records, they'd morphed into a trio, opting for the hipper nameplate "Anthem."  That might also explain why Meola was referred to as "Bartholomew" on the liner notes.  That or Buddah's marketing crew was  completely ignorant of who they were working with.  The trio's self-titled 1970 album teamed them with Buddah in-house producer Stan Vincent.  Musically "Anthem" offered up a fairly entertaining mix of commercial pop (the ballad 'Florida' and 'Ibis') and slightly more experimental numbers like the extended 'Misty Morns.'  To my ears the occasional horn arrangements added a touch of blue-eyed soul to their repertoire, while on tracks like 'Ibis' their attempts at "deep" lyrics reminded me a touch of early Styx.  All three members were gifted with decent voices and throughout the eight tracks they displayed a knack for crafting pretty harmonies and catchy riffs.  Not sure who it was, but on the title track  and 'New Day' one of the members displayed a voice that sounded uncannily like The Monkees' Michael Nesmith.  Bartholomew also showcased some first-rate guitar chops - check out the AC/DC-styled riff that powers 'You're So Mean.' Needless to say, the album sold poorly, instantly ending up in cutout bins.

This is also one of those albums where my initial feelings were just plain wrong. I'll readily admit that  "Anthem" was a set that that originally just didn't make much of an impression on me (perhaps I can blame the Frank Merritt cover art).  I've now own a copy for twenty-plus years; listening to it at least a dozen times and each spin impresses me more.  Is it an overlooked classic?  Nah, but it's certainly way better than many of those over-hyped rarities that dealers try to hype.  Plus, you can still find copies of the cheap.  As one infamous Presidential candidate has been known to say in his fever dream efforts to become a dictator - "What do you have to lose?"

"Anthem" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Anthem (Bruce Warner) - 2:30 rating: *** stars

To this day when I hear the  pleading title track ("someone lead us now ...") I have to remind myself these guys were from New York rather than somewhere in the UK.  There was just something in the lead vocalist's delivery that sounded like Michael Nesmith trying to mimic a British accent.  Tasty tune that would have been even better without Stan Vincent and Tony Davilio's busy horn arrangements.
2.) Queen (Gregg Hollister) - 4:00 rating: **** stars

The rocker 'Queen' has always reminded me of a band like Styx deciding they wanted to sound more like a bar band. In spite of myself, I have to admit that they sounded great on this one - nice vocal interplays; excellent Bartholomew lead guitar work and drummer Howe was a monster.
3.) You're Not So Mean (Bartholomew) - 2:31 rating: *** stars

Batholomew's guitar riff sounded like something Angus Young would parlay into his entire AC/DC career. Interesting combaintion when you heard the rest of the tune.
4.) Florida (Gregg Hollister) - 4:39 rating: **** stars

Powered by some nice Stax-styled horns, 'Florida' was a highly commercial ballad that would have made a nice single.  Surprising the State tourism board has never latched on to it in an effort to shill for tourists.  Hollister wrote it, so I'm guessing he also handled the lead vocals ...

(side 1)

1.) New Day (Bartholomew) - 2:25 rating: **** stars

With a tasty blend of pop and harder rock moves, 'New Day' was another track that would have sounded dandy on '70s FM radio.  What was Buddah thinking by abandoning these guys?
2.) Misty Morns (Gregg Hollister) - 7:30 rating: *** stars

The album's longest and most bar band-meets progressive entourage oriented track (lots of cowbell and plenty of start and stop segments here), 'Misty Morns' served as a nice showcase for Meola's accomplished lead guitar moves and some surprisingly complex vocal arrangements.  I would have given the song a fourth star, but about four minutes in they seemingly ran out of words and ideas; instead shifting into some dreadful scatting vocals and a seemingly endless sax solo.
3.) Ibis (Bartholomew) - 3:06 rating: *** stars

The pretty 'Ibis' was another track that blended their commercial orientation with more progressive lyrical content.  This time out the horn charts weren't bad.
4.) Child (Gregg Hollister) - 5:11 rating: ** stars

In spite of the fact it featured some Harpsihord and the refrain was interesting, the ballad 'Child' pushed the trio into lounge act territory.  Once again they seemingly ran out of lyrics leading to more scatting.  Yech.

Only 44, Meola passed on in January 1996.

© Scott R. Blackerby October, 2024