Heart
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1968-72) - Bob Barron -- bass, guitar, vocals - Arnold Bodmer -- keyboards - Danny Burnett (RIP) -- guitar - Carl Silva (RIP 2019) -- vocals, drums, percussion, harmonica, keyboards
line up 2 (1972) - Bob Barron -- bass, guitar, backing vocals - Carl Silva (RIP 2019) -- lead vocals, harmonica, keyboards
supporting musicians (1972) - Chuck "Smooth" Kling Beil -- keyboards - Arnold "Stamp" Bodmer -- keyboards - Roger "Loose Lip" Jannotta -- sax
line up 3 (1972) - Bob Barron -- bass, guitar, vocals - Arnold Bodmer -- keyboards NEW - Dave Butterfield -- guitar (replaced Danny Burnett) NEW - Robert Mora -- drums, percussion (replaced Car Silva) - Carl Silva (RIP 2019) -- vocals, harmonica, keyboards
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- Lindy Blaskey & the Lavells (Carl Silva) - Carl and the Rhythm All Stars - Mudd (Arnal Bodmer) - Planets (Carl Silva) - The Carl Silva Rock and Roll Revue - Carl Silva and the Striders (Carl Silva) - The Striders (Bob Barron and Carl Silva)
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Genre: blues-rock Rating: *** stars Title: Heart Company: Natural Resources Catalog: NR
102L Country/State: Albuquerque, New Mexico Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: minor cover wear Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $20.00
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Their third album in four years, the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based "Heart" found the band on their third record label. Gawd know why, but continuing their string of poor choices, this time out they were signed to the short-lived Motown Natural Resources imprint. Co-produced by John Wagner and Leon Danielle the collection for the band down to a two piece with Bob Barron shifting from bass to lead guitar and singer/drummer Carl Silva now taking on guitar, keyboards and harmonica. The pair were supported by keyboardist Chuck Bell, sax player Roger Jannotta and Swiss-born keyboardist Arnold Bodmer. Bodmer had previously been a full fledged member of the band, but quit to join Mudd and the rejoined the band halfway through the recording sessions. That may explain why the liner notes credited him in a "supporting" role. Anyhow, with Barron and Silva responsible for ten of the eleven tracks, their third album found the pair opting for a more mainstream, commercial pop sound. With the pair sharing vocals both men had decent voices and their harmonies were surprisingly pleasant. The opener 'I Want You would not have been out of place on an early Paul McCartney solo album. 'Just Thought I'd Let You Know', 'Country Smile' and ' I Said It with A Laugh' offered up pleasant, if unassuming stabs at country-rock. The pair were far better when they actually rocked. 'Ooola Lucy; was a nice slice of slinky garage rock; 'Amaze Me' did a nice job blending garage and folk-rock moves and the second half of 'Sing A Song of Love' made it the album's best ballad. And that was an apt description for the full album - pleasant and unassuming.
Motown certainly did nothing to promote the LP; not even bothering to float a single and that was it for Heart.
"Heart" track listing: 1.) I Want You (Chuck Silva) - 3:00 rating: *** stars The first time I heard 'I Want You' I wondered crap what have I gotten myself into? Based on a bouncy, piano-based melody the song sounded like a British band trying to tap into the Vaudeville, or music hall market. Way too cute for their own good. Imagine an American version of a mash-up between10cc and Stackridge. It grew on me a little after I played it a couple of times; particularly the second half when Silva stopped singing. 2.) Just Thought I'd Let You Know (Bob Barron) - 3:00 rating: *** stars Built on an interesting acoustic guitar slide riff (Barron) and a mouth organ solo (Silva), 'Just Thought I'd Let You Know' offered up a lazy country-tinged ballad. Their voices actually blended together quite well and in site of myself I found myself liking the tune. 3.) Country Smile (Chuck Silva - Bob Barron) - 3:05 rating: *** stars The mid-tempo 'Country Smile' opened up with an even heavier country-flavor, but the shifted towards a more conventional pop sound. Anyone know what effects Barron was using on the guitar? 4.) Ooola Lucy (Chuck Silva - Bob Barron) - 3:25 rating: **** stars Shifting directions, 'Ooola Lucy' offered up a slinky, garage rocker. Lyrically it was pretty lame, but powered by a tasty Barron solo and Silva's energetic vocals, this one could get you moving. 5.) I Said It with A Laugh (Bob Barron) - 2:24 rating: *** stars Exemplified by the acoustic ballad 'Said It with a Laugh', Barron and SIlva shared lead vocals; their voices blending nicely. Pretty, easygoing song that got better as it rolled along.
(side
2) Penned by former Pallbearer's drummer David Goodnow, 'Sing a Song of Love' was the album's only cover tune. Nice melody; nice vocals and nice Procol Harum-styled organ solo for Silva and once again the song got better and better as when the vocals stopped and the pace picked up. 2.) Amaze Me (Chuck Silva) - 3:27 rating: **** stars The "la-la-las" opening and George Harrison-styled guitar were interesting. In fact the whole song was interesting offering a distinct mid-'60s mash-up of folk-rock and garage flavors. Very cool. 3.) Somehow (Bob Barron) - 1:30 rating: ** stars The keyboard powered 'Somehow' featured a '50s vibe - imagine John Lennon doing an oldies cover. Pass. 4.) Goin' Down (Chuck Silva) - 2:32 rating: *** stars The country-rocker 'Goin' Down' reminds me of a mediocre Tom Petty performance. The hoedown mid-section didn't help. 5.) And Then There's (Chuck Silva) - 2:15 rating: *** stars You don't hear a lot of songs that start with autoharp. The breathless ballad 'And Then There's' explains at least part of the reason. The refrain was enough 6.) Set Me Free (Chuck Silva - Bob Barron) - 3:02 rating: **** stars The piano powered opening reminded me of a classic Carol King song. Spare, 'Set Me Free' was easily the collections most charming ballad. Great blended voices and Barron provided some of his best guitar.
© Scott R. Blackerby December, 2024
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