Blackwell
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1969-70) - Johnny "Rabbitt" Bundrick -- keyboards - Randy Dehart -- drums, percussion - Glenn Gibson -- lead vocals, - Jimmy Smith -- guitar - Terry Wilson -- bass
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- Back Street Crawler (Johnny Bundrick) - Bloontz (Terry Wilson) - Johnny Bundrick (solo efforts) - The Eric Burdon Band (Johnny Bundrick) and Terry Wilson - Crawler (solo efforts) - Free (Johnny Bundrick) - Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps (Terry Wilson) - Johnnie & The Rooster (Randy Dehart) - King Peach (Randy Dehart) - Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu & Rabbit (Johnny Bundrick) - Mallard (John Bundrick) - Oz Knozz (Glenn Gibson) - Rockola (Randy Dehart) - Snowy White and The White Flames (Johnny Bundrick) - The Soporifics (Johnny Bundrick) - The Who (Johnny Bundrick)
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Genre: progressive Rating: ** stars Title: Blackwell Company: Astro Catalog: SD
9010 Country/State: Houston, Texas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $30.00
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Anyone who recognizes the Blackwell nameplate is likely to do so because they're fans of '60s Texas rock and roll, or they're familiar with the extensive career of keyboard player John "Rabbit" Bundrick who has a recording career that includes numerous solo album and support to everyone from Free to Bob Marley and The Who.
Blackwell featured label the line-up featured Bundrick, former The Sundown Collection drummer Randy Dehart, singer Glenn Gibson, guitarist Jimmy Smith (also a The Sundown Collection alumnist) and bassist Terry Wilson. Their recording debut came with a 1969 45 for Astro:
- 1969's 'Wonderful' b/w 'Dirty Story' (Astro catalog number AS-1000)
The 45 did little commercially which was the same fate that awaited their second 45:
- 1969's 'Almost Gifted' b/w 'Outside' (Astro catalog number AS 1001)
In spite of the
failure of the two singles, the band caught a break when Astro (now
affiliated with Atlantic Records), elected to fund an album. Produced
by Paul Butts and Jones Sound Productions I'll admit "Blackwell"
sounded nothing like what I expected. Including the "A" and
"B" side
"Blackwell" track listing: 1.) Fake (Johnny Bundrick) - 3:50 rating: *** stars Showcasing Bundrick's keyboards, 'Fake' was a pretty, if over dramatic progressive-tinged ballad. The song's progressive flavor certainly came as a surprise, as did Gibson's arch voice. Listening to it again for the first time in a couple of years, it reminds me a bit of early Styx. 2.) Dirty Story (Glenn Gibson - Johnny Bundrick) - 3:18 rating: *** stars The first of five Gibson-Bundrick collaborations, 'Dirty Story' sported a strange mixture of jazz and blues moves. Once again the spotlight was on Gibson's unique voice and Bundrick's keyboards. Tasty bass line from Terry Wilson. The song also appeared as the "B" side to their 1969 'Wonderful' 45. 3.) Heaven or Worse (Johnny Bundrick) - 3:22 rating: ** stars Bundrick's opening meandering keyboards gave 'Heaven or Worse' a distinctively progressive feel; only underscored by Gibson's unique vocals. Not sure who provided the shrill backing vocals - maybe iy was Gibson being double-tracked. This was also the first tune that gave guitarist Smith a crack at the spotlight, though his performance was underwhelming. Not a favorite. 4.) Something Real (Glenn Gibson - Johnny Bundrick) - 2:33 rating: * star Hum,
the opening violin didn't exactly capture my attention in a good way.
The fact the heavy orchestration was in support of a sappy,
middle-of-the-road ballad didn't win me over. Imagine a third tier
Aaron Neville with backing from Liberace. Yech. Simply hideous. Well, it opened up sounding like the soundtrack to a '50s "C" sci-fi flick. From their it jumped into a fuzz guitar powered rocker with the vocals and song structure again recalling something out of the Styx catalog.
(side
2) The lone cover (penned by producer Butts), the ballad 'Almost Gifted' sounded like a mash-up of an Aaron Neville vocal and a poor Bee Gees tune. Their second, pre-LP 45. Heavily orchestrated and maudlin pop ballad. 2.) Outside (Glenn Gibson - Jimmy Smith - Johnny Bundrick - Randy De Hart -Terry Wilson) - 2:44 rating: **** stars 'Outside' finally found the band showing they could handle a conventional rock song. It also gave Smith a chance to show off his chops. It took me a couple of years to make the connection, but Gibson's blazing vocals recalled The Hollies Allan Clarke with the fuzz and Hammond B-3 powered melody recalling Uriah Heep. Probably the album's strongest performance the song also appeared as the "B" side on their 'Almost Gifted' 45. 3.) Sleepy Weekend (Glenn Gibson - Johnny Bundrick) - 2:20 rating: *** stars Showcasing Bundrick's keyboards, the breezy 'Sleepy Weekend' sounded like a mash-up of Simon and Garfunkel's 'The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)' and a slice of Jimmy Smith soul-jazz. 4.) Wonderful (Glenn Gibson - Johnny Bundrick) - 2:35 rating: *** stars Previously released as their debut single, Gibson's shrill voice brought a Styx-styled vibe to 'Wonderful'. Bundrick added soul-jazz styled organ fills with the secret sauce coming from drummer Dehart. I'll admit the hopelessly optimistic lyrics and refrain kind of grew on you. 5.) Long Long Ago (Glenn Gibson - Johnny Bundrick) - 7:16 rating: ** stars 'Long Long Ago' closed the album with an extended blues number. Actually the first minute of the song sounded like something out of the Focus catalog. Nothing wrong with a long blues number, but there wasn't anything that stood out on this one and Gibson's shrill and whiney vocals didn't do the song any great shakes.
For hardcore Blackwell fans, there are a pair of non-LP 45s.
The first release is a 1970 promotional 45. 'Doin' It' is interesting for the writing credit error - Astro managed to credit the tune to 'Johnny Dundrick".
- 1970's 'Doin' It' b/w 'Doin' It' (Astro catalog No. 1003)
The second release is a "split" 45 - the "A" side being a track by country musician Logan Smith and the "B" side a throwaway, country-tinged Blackwell instrumental:
- 1973's 'Little Man' b/w 'Down On the Farm' (Astro catalog number 6003 A/B)
© Scott R. Blackerby
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from the first two 45s, the album featured nine band originals largely
penned by Bundrick and Gibson. The set
was rounded out by one cover - 'Almost Gifted' penned by producer
Butts. Having read a series of brief
on-line reviews that variously labeled the album psychedelic, blues-rock and
blue-eyed soul; it's none of those. To my ears the predominant influence was
sort of a proto-progressive sound. Tracks like 'Heaven or Worse', 'Please,
Mr Jupiter' and the
earlier single 'Wonderful' all reminded me of early Styx. Great
if you liked early Styx ... not so much if you weren't a fan.
The album's biggest shortcomings came in the form of their penchant for big,
sappy ballads. 'Something Real', '' and 'Almost
Gifted' (the
latter sounding like a bad Bee Gees performance) were uniformly
horrible. I also found Gibson's shrill voice an acquired taste. On
tracks like 'Wonderful' he reminded me of Aaron Neville. He certainly
wasn't an impressive blues singer - check out the closer 'Long Long
Ago'. Ultimately, with the exception of band collaboration 'Outside'
none of these songs really stood out. Overall a major disappointment.
