Revere, Paul (and the Raiders)
Band members Related acts
- Keith Allison
- keyboards, backing vocals (1970-75)
|
- Keith Allison
(solo efforts) Mike
Smith) - Friendsound (Drake Levin, Phillip Volk, and Mike Smith) - Mark Lindsay
(solo efforts)
|
Genre: garage Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: In the Beginning Company: Jerden Catalog: 7004 Year: 1966 Country/State: USA Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+ Comments: -- Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4 Price: $40.00 Cost: $1.00
|
With the band having hit the big time via their contract with Columbia,
Jerden Records didn't hesitate trying to cash in on their new found success.
Released in 1966, "In the Beginning"
pulled together a selection of their earliest work. Consisting largely of
popular rock covers (including numerous throwaway instrumentals), there
wasn't anything particularly wrong with material such as "Shake Rattle
and Roll", "Work with Me Annie" and "Hey Baby". On
the other hand, there wasn't much that fell under the "must hear"
category. Without much exposure or marketing support, the album failed to
chart. (Always loved Peter Whorf's dorky art work.)
1.) Shake Rattle and Roll (Charles Calhound) - 2:12 (side 2) 1.) Mojo Workout
(Julian Bright) - 3:45
|
Genre: pop Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Midnight Rider with Paul Revere & the Raiders Company: Columbia Catalog: CS 9308 Year: 1967 Country/State: USA Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG Comments: ring and corner wear; stereo pressing Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4 Price: $10.00 Cost: $1.00
|
Ironically, by the time 1966's "Midnight
Ride with Paul Revere & the Raiders" was released,
the group was beginning to grate under the continuing stream of media abuse
resulting from their massive exposure and commercial successes. Continuing
their partnership with producer Melcher, the collection offered up another
effortless mixture of pop ("There She Goes" and "All I Really
Need Is You") and more rock oriented material (the pseudo-psychish
"There's Always Tomorrow", "Louie, Go On Home" and a
roaring cover of "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" - The Monkees
basically appropriated Revere's version for their hit cover). Elsewhere,
though it attracted a wave of criticism from "hip" folks, the band
deserved credit for being one of the first to stake out an anti-drug stance.
Some four decades later their recording of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil's
anti-drug paean "Kicks" is still one amazing slice of rock.
Other will certainly disagree, but to our ears, this may be their most
consistent and enjoyable effort. Hitting # 9, the collection provided
the band with their second gold seller. Unfortunately, shortly after
the album was released Levin quit, reappearing with The Brotherhood.
1.) Kicks (Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil) - 2:25 (side 2) 1.) There She Goes
(Mark Lindsay - Paul Revere) - 1:40
|
Genre: pop Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Hard 'n' Heavy (with Marshmallow) Company: Columbia Catalog: CS 9753 Year: 1967 Country/State: USA Grade (cover/record): G+-/VG Comments: minor water damage along bottom Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4 Price: $5.00 Cost: $1.00
|
Produced and
arranged by Lindsay, "Hard and Heavy (with
Marshmallows)" found the group attempting to navigate
between top-40 commercialism and a more contemporary sound. Faced with the
impossible task of pleasing both contingents, the band deserved some credit
for preserving their professionalism throughout the uneven collection.
Surprisingly tight and enjoyable, material such as "Call On Me",
"Where You Goin' Girl" and "Money Can't Buy Me"
demonstrated the group's longstanding mastery of the top-40 pop genre. Even
more impressive, tracks such as "Ride On My Shoulder" and
"Without You" displayed the band's credible rock moves (again
diluted by nerdish group uniforms, c'mon guys, polyester leisure suits and
white shoes ...). In contrast, stabs at psychedelia ("Trishalana"),
and country ("Hard and Heavy 5 String Soul Banjo") were less
impressive. Released as singles "Cinderella Sunshine" b/w
"Theme from "It's Happening"" (Columbia catalog number
4-44655) and "Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon" b/w "Without You"
(Columbia catalog number 4-44744) provided the band with a pair of minor
hits. Between songs individual band members appeared in short narrative
cameos. Neither their best nor their worst, the album proved a modest
success, peaking at #51. (Originally released with a black and white jacket,
Columbia reissued the set with a color sleeve.) Shortly after the set's
release Lindsay announced he was leaving in pursuit of a solo career (see
separate entry). 1.) Mr. Sun, Mr.
Moon (Mark Lindsay)- 2:46 (side 2) 1.) Trishalana
(Mark Lindsay) - 2:46
|
Back to Bad Cat homepage/search