Brethren
Band members Related acts
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
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- 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)
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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
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Here's what we
know about this short-lived '70s New York-based entity: 1.)
Hitchin' To Memphis (Tom Cosgrove) - 2:43
1.)
Midnight Train (Tom Cosgrove - Stu Wood - Rick Marotta) - 2:55
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Genre: country-rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Moment of Truth Company: Tiffany Catalog:
TFS 0015 Country/State: New York Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: uni-fold sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $30.00
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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
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).
"Moment of
Truth" track listing: 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) 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
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