Potliquor


Band members               Related acts

Jerry Amoroso -- drums, percussion, vocals (1970-73, 79)

- Mike McQuaig -- vocals, guitar (1979)

- George Ratzlaff -- keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals

  (1970-73)

- Steve Sather -- vocals, guitar (1979)

- Guy Schaeffer --  bass, vocals (1970-73, 79)

- Les Wallace -- guitar, vocals (1970-73)

 

 

s/tambourine/congos/v

- The Basement Wall (George Ratzlaff)

- George Ratzlaff (solo efforts)

 

 

 


 

Genre: rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  First Taste

Company: Janus

Catalog: JLS-3002

Year: 1970

Country/State: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4860

Price: $32.00

 

 

I own copies of all of the Potlquor LPs and I'll be the first to admit that they're kind of an acquired taste.  

 

Produced by band manager Jim Brown, 1970's "First Taste" is probably best described as early Southern boogie.  Imagine an embryonic Molly Hatchet and you'll be in the right ballpark with respect to the overarching sound.  That description probably won't do much for lots of people, but this set is actually surprisingly enjoyable.  Sure, their martial tempo cover of 'Ol' Man River' isn't something you really need to hear, but elsewhere tracks like 'The Raven' and a sludged-up Vanilla Fudge-styled cover of 'You're No Good' offer up a nice blend of boogie and heavy rock while simultaneously being quite commercial.  Weirdest track honors go to the Santana-styled percussion packed instrumental 'Toballby'.   Janus even released 'Down the River Boogie' b/w 'Riverboat' as a single (Janus catalog number J-139).

 

"First Taste" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Down the River Boogie   (George Ratzlaff) - 2:49

2.) Ol' Man River   (Kern - Oscar Hammerstein Jr.) - 4:37

3.) Riverboat   (D. Craig) - 3:08

4.) Toballby (instrumental)   (George Ratzlaff - Les Wallace - Guy Schaeffer - Jerry Amoroso) - 7:21

 

(side 2)
1.) The Raven   (George Ratzlaff - Poe) - 5:05

2.) You're No Good   (C. Ballard Jr.) - 4:55

3.) Price 20c a Copy   (George Ratzlaff) - 3:08

4.) Driftin'   (G. Efronetee) - 8:15 

Today Amoroso owns a restaurant  (The Italian Thunderbolt) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Ratzlaff made his name in advertising, but remained active in music earning some recognition (including a Grammy) as a songwriter (under the name George Brantley).  He's also recorded a series of secular albums and became one of the founding members of the Global Hope Network, a worldwide health and humanitarian organization.

 

 

 

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