Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Mud On Mudd
Company: Uni
Catalog: 73098
Year: 1970
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened); small cut out hole top right corner; original Uni inner sleeve
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 5335
Price: $75.00
I'm not sure why this one's so hard to locate, though the butt ugly group cover photo might have something to do with it ... hard to imagine waves of testosterone fueled young men fighting each other to grab this one. Much easier picturing piles of this one being returned by vendors and recycled into plastic key chains and throwaway lighters. It's also another one of those bands that don't seem to have much in the way of documented history. Anyone out there have the story on these guys? If so, let me know.
With production credited to Buffalo Bill Productions, 1970's "Mud On Mudd" offered up a competent and occasionally engaging set of early-1970s hard rock. To be totally honest, you won't find anything particularly original, or inspirational on the album, but virtually every one of the 11 tracks had something going for it , making it one of the more consistent releases I've stumbled across in recent times. Absent any kind of performance credits I can't tell you anything about the band members, though the lead singer had a nice raspy voice that sounded a bit like a Joe Cocker in control of his faculties, or perhaps a less shrill Gary Wright. The keyboardist and lead guitarist were also quite good, the former showcasing his talents on 'Let's Hurt Together' while the latter powered tracks like 'The Lights Gonna Shine' with thick sustained chords that occasionally recalled Procol Harum-era Robin Trower. Musically the set was divided between popular rock covers (including an undistinguished Beatles track and a pair of decent Traffic covers) and what I'm guessing were originals credited in various combinations to A. Klein, V. Gabrielle, and Tom G. It's one of those LPs where it's hard to come up with an apt comparison, but imagine something along the lines of an early Americanized version of Spooky Tooth and you'll be in the right neighborhood.
Uni
also tapped the LP for a single in the form of 'Medicated Goo' b/w 'The
Lights Gonna Shine' (Uni catalog number 55252)
"Mud On
Mudd" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Medicated Goo (Stevie Winwood - Jim Capaldi - Chris Wood) -
2.) The Lights Gonna Shine (A. Klein - V. Gabrielle) - 10:15
3.) The Bells (A. Klein) - 5:02
4.) Let's Hurt Together (A. Klein - V. Gabrielle - Tom G) - 4:15
5.) I Thank You (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 7:01
(side
2)
1.) Coloured
Rain (Stevie Winwood - Jim Capaldi - Chris Wood) - 3:40
2.) Satisfied Mind (J. Rhodes) - 2:28
3.) Why Don't We Do It In The Road (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 3:26
4.) I'll Sell My Heart To A Clown (A. Klein - V. Gabrielle - Tom G) - 3:04
5.) Let's Think Awhile (instrumental) (A. Klein) - 5:05
6.) If We Try (A. Klein - V. Gabrielle - Tom G) - 4:25
I've never heard it, but there's also a sophomore LP - 1971's cleverly titled "Mud" (Uni catalog number 73110).