line up 1 (1970-71)

- Tom Cosgrove -- guitar, backing vocals

- Mike Garson -- keyboards

- Rick Marotta -- drums, percussion

- Stu Woods -- bass

  supporting musicians: (1970)

- Adrienne Albert -- backing vocals

- Marilyn Jackson -- backing vocals

- David Liebman -- sax

- Ralph MacDonald -- percussion

- Albertine Robinson -- backing vocals

- Barry Rogers -- trombone

- Maeretha Stewart -- backing vocals

- Tasha Thomas -- backing vocals

- The Elegants (Tom Cosgrove)

- The Elegant Four (Tom Cosgro

- Mike Garson (solo efforts)

- Mike Garson Trio (Mike Garson)

- Just the Ticket (Rick Marotta)

- Kind Heaven Orchestra (Mike Garson)

- Night (Rick Marotta)

- The Nuff Brothers (Stu Woods)

- Tao Jones Index (Mike Garson)

- The Polyphonic Spree (Mike Garson)

- Ronin (Rick Marotta)

- Yesca (Rick Marotta)

Genre: country-rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Brethren

Company: Tiffany

Catalog: TFS-0013

Year: 1970

Country/State: New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: still in shrink wrap

Available: SOLD

Catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD $30.00

Here's what we know about this short-lived '70s New York-based entity:

1.) The line up consisted of keyboardist Mike Garson, guitarist Tom Cosgrove, drummer Rick Marotta and bassist Stu Woods. 2.) They were one of the original (aka few) acts signed to Scepter's short-lived Tiffany subsidiary. 3.) Their debut album was recorded in Hollywood's Gold Star Studios.

1970's "Brethren" teamed the band with producer Jay Senter. With three of the four members contributing material (Cosgrove was the mainstay composer), the album featured a mix of what a friend has labeled "white boy blues" ("Hitchin' To Memphis" and "Everybody In the Congregation") and country-rock numbers (a nice cover of James Taylor's "Don't Talk To Me Now" and "Mississippi Freighter"). Cosgrove had a nice raspy voice, well suited to the up tempo material. He was also a capable guitarist (check out his sterling performance on the funky "Outside Love" and the meltdown instrumental "Success Brand of Oil"). While much of the set recalled something out of the early-'70s Bobby Whitlock, or Delaney and Bonnie catalogs, nothing here was particularly original or commercial. To our ears, the Gospel-influenced rocker "I've Been Provided For" provided the album's highlight. The album's also interesting for it's bizarre mix of guests - The Blossoms (providing backing vocals), Dr. John and Poco's Rusty Young.

"Brethern" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Hitchin' To Memphis (Tom Cosgrove) - 2:43
2.) Everybody In the Congregation (Tom Cosgrove) - 3:55
3.) I've Been Provided For (Tom Cosgrove - Stu Wood - Rick Marotta - Jay Senter) - 3:10
4.) Outside Love (Tom Cosgrove) - 3:06
5.) Just To Be There (Mark Klingmon) - 3:02

(side 2)

1.) Midnight Train (Tom Cosgrove - Stu Wood - Rick Marotta) - 2:55
2.) Don't Talk Now (James Taylor) - 3:55
3.) Mississippi Freighter (Tom Cosgrove - Stu Wood - Mark Klingmon) - 
4.) Success Brand of Oil (Tom Cosgrove - Stu Wood - Rick Marotta) - 4:50

Genre: country-rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Moment of Truth

Company: Tiffany

Catalog: TFS 0015
Year: 1971

Country/State: New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: uni-fold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $30.00

While Brethren's 1970 debut didn't generate much in the way of sales or cash for Charles Greene's Scepter-affiliated Tiffany label, the company went ahead and financed a follow-up.  Apparently released as the band was starting to fall apart, the self-produced, 1971's "Moment of Truth" wasn't a major change in direction.  Like the debut, the album reflected a mixture of band originals rounded out by three covers.  One of those covers; an extended  funky, swamp-rockin' arrangement of Dr. John's 'Loop Garoo'  provided the album's best performance. Musically the collection was all over the place with the band again seemingly trying to impress listeners with their sheer diversity.  In addition to swamp rock, you got stabs at Band-styled Americana (the tasty 'Wesley'), blues ('The Sun and the Moon'), Southern-rock moves ('Lady On The Terrace') and Doobie Brothers-styled FM rock ('Move On').  The Doobies comparison was interesting given Cosgrove's vocals frequently bore a resemblance to a young Tom Johnston.  The album shared all of the strengths and weaknesses of the debut, but perhaps because they knew the end was coming and they had nothing to lose, exemplified by tracks like the instrumental 'Blaze' and the rocker 'Move On' there was a certainly enjoyable looseness to the performances.  I guess it makes me an exception, but I like Brethren's sophomore release more then their debut.  

The album sold poorly and after backing jazz singer Annette Peacock on 1972's "I'm the One" they called it quits. All four became in-demand studio players, supporting everyone from David Bowie (Garson), Steely Dan (Cosgrove and Marotta) and Smashing Pumpkins (Garson again).

Though he barely acknowledges the two Brethren albums, Garson has a website at: http://www.mikegarson.com/

"Moment of Truth" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Loop Garoo (Mac Rebennack) - 8:20 rating: **** stars

Perhaps the best composition ever inspired by Cajun werewolf-like creatures, the song originally appeared on Dr. John's 1970 album "Remedies".  Having the courage to do a Dr. John cover is one thing.  Pulling the is something completely different.  Bless their souls, Cosgrove and company pulled it off, turning in a blazing, speeded-up, slightly rocked-up version that should have made the writer proud.  Yeah, stretching out at over eight minutes it went on a little too long, but it gave all four members a chance to step into the spotlight.  Cosgrove's pleading vocals have always reminded me of an American Stevie Winwood.  

2.) Wesley (Stu Woods -Tom Cosgrove) - 3:00  rating: **** stars

Showcasing Mike Garson barrelhouse piano, 'Wesley' opened up with a distinctive Robbie Robertson and the Band-flavored Americana vibe.  The sound was underscored by the card cheatin' showdown Western theme.  The only thing I didn't like on this one were the shrill female backing vocals.

3.) The Sun And the Moon (Mark Klingman) - 3:10  rating: ** stars

Written by The Glitterhouse keyboardist Mark Klingman, 'The Sun And The Moon' was a bluesy ballad.  Pretty, but completely unoriginal, once again the female backing singers did little to improve the performance.

4.) Freedom Blues (Eskew Reeder) - 5:07 rating: *** stars

As if a Dr. John cover wasn't audacious, how about an Esquerita cover?  Powered by some nice Stu Woods bass work their cover framed the tune with a nice funky arrangement.  The na-na-na chorus was catchy giving the song a commercial edge and Cosgrove tossed in a nice guitar solo.  I would have given it an extra star were it not for the poorly thought out ending which found the song dying a slow "studio jam" death.

5.) Lady On The Terrace (Tom Cosgrove) - 3:51 rating: *** stars

The breezy 'Lady On The Terrace' sported one of the album's prettiest melodies. Propelled by some melodic Cosgrove lead guitar this one offered up a distinctive Southern-rock flavor on this one.  It wouldn't have sounded out of place on an early Marshall Tucker Band release.  This time out Cosgrove's vocals reminded me of a young Tom Johnston.

(side 2)
1.) Move On (Rick Marotta - Stu Woods - Tom Cosgrove) - 3:54  rating: **** stars

Injecting some blue-eyed soul into the mix, once again Cosgrove's voice gave 'Move On' and early Doobie Brothers flavor.   Great refrain ...  Since I'm a big Doobies fan I quite liked this one.

2.) Rainy Day Lady (Tom Cosgrove) - 4:45 rating: ** stars

Another stab at blues-rock giving  Garson a couple of minutes in the spotlight, there wasn't a single original chord on 'Rainy Day Lady'.  Two minutes after hearing this one you'll be hard pressed to remember anything about it.  

3.) History Repeats Itself (Mike Garson) - 3:48  rating: *** star

Opening up with some lovely Garson piano and harpsichord, Cosgrove's Tom Johnston vocals again provided the highlights on 'History Repeats Itself'.

4.) Blaze (instrumental) (Stu Woods - Tom Cosgrove) - 3:43  rating: **** stars

Opening up with some tasty Cosgrove guitar (and lots of cowbell), the instrumental 'Blaze' sported a great melody and serves as  the album's toughest rocker.

© Scott R. Blackerby July, 2024