Genre: progressive
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Praise the Load
Company: Owl Intermedia
Catalog: 6113N12
Year: 1977
Country/State: Columbus, Ohio
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: minor staining; heavy cover
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $200.00
Here's one of those highly sought after, high priced rarities that leaves
me scratching my head in wonder.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio The Load boasted a line up of guitarist Dave Hessler and brothers Sterling (keyboards) and Tom (drums) Smith. Sterling had previously played with J.D. Blackfoot and along with the other band alumnus went on to record an album Osiris (see separate entry). By the
early-1970s the Smiths were part owners of the Columbus-based Owl Studios and Owl Records (which released material by the likes of Raven and Tom Wachunas). Eager to explore the studio's
capabilities the brothers started playing around, recording material which eventually
metamorphosed into a full scale trio.
Self-produced, 1977's "Praise the Load" offered up a pleasant set of progressive'flarvored material. Interestingly,
I've seen some references that leave the impression these guys had psych leanings. Bulls*it !!!
Musically the album offered up a conventional mix of rock-adapted classical pieces (Bach's
'Brandenburg # 3' and Rosini's 'The William Tell Overture') and more conventional rock numbers
('Flyaway' and 'Dave's 'A' Song'). Imagine something out of the early King Crimson or ELP catalogs and you'll be much closer to the mark, though material such as the Spanish-influenced
'Fandango' and 'The Betrayal' were nowhere as pompous as the ELP catalog. Having listened to the set a couple of dozen times, your left with two standing impressions. First, Hessler and the Smiths may not have been the most
writers but they were exceptionally talented musicians. Secondly, you're struck by the fact the
album was clearly lovingly made - you'll be hard pressed to find a private pressing with such good sonic qualities. Not sure why, but it's one of
my favorite recent purchases ...
"Praise the Load" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Fandango (instrumental) (Sterling Smith) -
2.) Flyaway (Dave Hessler) -
3.) Brandenburg #3 (Third Movement) (Johann Sebastian Bach - arranged by Sterling Smith) -
(side 2)
1.) Dave's 'A' Song (Dave Hessler) -
2.) The Betrayal (Sterling Smith) -
3.) The William Tell Overture (Rossini - arranged by The Load) -
The trio also managed to record a second album that was promptly shelved.
The band proved popular on the local scene, playing a steady stream of dates at cub such as Mr. Browns, The Ohio Theater, The Moonshine Co-op. In pursuit of greener pastures, in 1977 they relocated to Los Angeles where the members spent the next two years working as sessions players and touring musicians (working with The Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson). By 1979 they'd called it quits and returned to their native Ohio. Tom and Hessler subsequently
reappeared as members of The Danger Brothers.