- Bob George -- vocals, drums

- Lee Grayson (RIP 2002) -- vocals, lead guitar

- Roland Jade -- vocals, guitar, harmonica

- Dean Swenson -- bass, keyboards

- The Phaetons (Lee Grayson)

Genre: country-rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  12 For the Road

Company: Tiger Lily

Catalog: TL 14067
Year: 1976

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 2589

Price: $40.00

Another Tiger Lily tax loss mystery ...  Released in 1977, judging by the nifty country-rock moves "12 for the Road" was almost certainly recorded well before that date - my guess would be this set was actually recorded in the early-1970s.

I have absolutely no idea who namesake Roland Jade was (though the collection was recorded at Miami's Master Sound Productions), but in spite of the goofy country looking cover art, the album was full of attractive country-rock moves.  Jade had a likeably gruff voice and  was backed by a rocking band in the form of bassist/keyboard player Dean Swenson, former Long Island-based Phaetons drummer Bob George, and lead guitarist Lee Grayson.  The four generated considerable energy on tracks like 'Two Pennies Short of Being Poor', 'Too Much, Too Soon, Too Late' and the closer 'Step By Step'.  Grayson was particularly good - check out his solos on 'Born a Wanderer' and 'Muddy Waters'.  Swenson also turned in some nice moves, particularly a killer bass performance on 'Hoppy was My Hero'.  Sure, it wasn't perfect. 'I'll Come Running' and 'Mr. Blues (The Delta River Man)' were a little too country for my tastes.  A little less country and a couple more folk-rockers and this would have been a major discovery.  Still, a pleasant surprise and I'd put this one on my top-10 tax scam release list.

"12 for the Road" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Music Man   (J. Wess) - 

2.) Two Pennies Short of Being Poor   (J. Wess) - 

3.) Born a Wanderer   (J. Wess) - 

4.) I'll Come Running   (J. Wess) - 

5.) Mr. Blues (The Delta River Man)   (J. Wess) - 

6.) Too Much, Too Soon, Too Late   (Roland Jade) - 

(side 2)
1.) My Wife Don't Love Me Anymore   (J. Wess) - 

2.) Muddy Water   (J. Wess) - 

3.) Hoppy was My Hero   (J. Wess) - 

4.) I Thought He Said Ragman   (J. Wess) - 

5.) September Days (Spend a Little Time)   (J. Wess) - 

6.) Step By Step   (Roland Jade) - 

George, Grayson, and Swenson subsequently worked together on Broadway as part of the pit band for Joseph Papp's play "I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road".  

Sadly Grayson died of bone marrow cancer in November 2002.