Space Opera


Band members                             Related acts

  line up 1 (1969-73)

- David Bullock -- vocals, guitar, flute, harmonica

- Scott Fraser (RIP 2006) -- vocals, guitar, keyboards

- Philip White (RIP 2008) -- vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards

- Brett Wilson (RIP 2005) -- drums, percussion

 

 

 

- Scott Fraser (solo efforts)

- The Loose Ends (David Bullock)

- The Mods (Scott Fraser)

- Whistler, Chaucer, Detroit & Greenhill (David Bullock, Scott Fraser,

  and Philip White)

 

 


 

Genre: pop

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Space Opera

Company: Epic

Catalog: KE 32117
Year:
 1973

Country/State: Fort Worth, Texas

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1780

Price: $40.00

 

They're frequently listed as a Canadian entity, though all four members were Americans ...

 

\

Uni catalog number 73934

 

David Bullock,  Scott Fraser, and Philip had all been members of Whistler, Chaucer, Detroit & Greenhill who managed to record a 1969 album for Uni - "Whistler, Chaucer, Detroit & Greenhill".   When the band collapsed, the three picked up a new drummer in the personna of Brett Wilson and  headed to New York City.  Turning down a contract with Clive Davis and Columbia, they opted for a smaller payday, but greater creative control via a deal with Epic Canada.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  LP back cover left to right: Bullock - White - Wilson - Fraser

 

Produced by the band, "Space Opera" has always reminded me a bit of the earlier album.   Like the earlier LP, this one was musical diverse, or perhaps just creatively scattershot.   With all four members contributing to the songwriting chores, to my ears the results came across as a bunch of solo efforts with shared backing.   Credited with three of the tunes, Bullock seemed to have the most consistent identity, comfortable with conventional country-rock numbers such as the opener 'Country Max' and 'My Telephone Artist (Has Come and Gone)').  Anyone into The Flying Burrito Brothers, Graham Parsons, or Poco was likely to like his work.  Also represented by three tunes, White seemed to have the most commercial leanings. 'Riddle' exhibited a nice CSN&Y edge.   Fraser seemed to be the quirkiest of the group, though two of his three solo compositions were among the album highlights.  The 'The River' managed to out Roger McGuinn The Byrds, while the closer 'Over and Over' was a killer guitar meltdown tune.  Drummer Wilson's contributions were limited to co-writing the one group composition - the rocking instrumental 'Guitar Suite'.  Those comments weren't meant to minimize their talents, but the fact remained each member had a very distinctive sound and they just didn't seem to mesh as an entity very often.   One of those rare albums that initially may not make much of an impression, but definitely rewards patience.  Far better than the earlier "Whistler, Chaucer, Detroit & Greenhill" release.   Shame Epic didn't make an effort to break the band.   Gary Bowden's quirky cover art probably didn't help their cause.       

 

"Space Opera" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Country Max   (David Bullock) - 3:20

Funny, but the first time I heard 'Country Max' I was less than overwhelmed - the tune struck me as a kind of a North of the border Flying Burrito Brothers, or Poco influenced country-rocker.  Pretty, but hardly the most original thing I'd encountered.   With a couple of spins the tune began to show it's charms and today I'd rate as good as anything in the former band's catalogs.   Great vocals.   This was also the track Epic tapped as a single:

- 1973's 'Country Max' b/w 'Prelude No. 4' (Epic catalog number 5-10971)  rating: **** stars.

2.) Holy River   (Scott Fraser) - 5:26

1967 jangle guitar folk rock in 1972 ?  Geez, before you laugh at the thought, all hyperbole aside, this was simply one of the best Roger McGuinn and the Byrds tunes The Byrds never recorded ...  With Fraser sounding remarkable like McGuinn, the tune just had that special Byrds vibe.  I even loved the hideously cheesy guitar and synthesizer solos that close out the tune.   rating: **** stars

3.) Outlines   (Philip White) - 4:10

Pretty pop ballad that sounded like they'd been listening to a bit too much Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys (without the same amount of talent).   rating: *** stars

4.) Guitar Suite (instrumental)   (Scott Fraser -  David Bullock - Philip White - Brett Wilson) - 7:36

The lone group composition, the extended instrumental 'Guitar Suite' was kind of a mishmash of styles including hard rock, jazzy moves, country-rock, psych (the backward tapes that closed the tune), and ultimately way too much Bullock harmonica.  I did like Fraser's harpsichord moves.    rating: *** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) My Telephone Artist (Has Come and Gone)
   (David Bullock) - 3:46

Even with the lyrics in front of me, thematically  this one remains an enigma.  A pretty, driving  country-rocker enigma, but still an enigma.   Someone out there clearly has an idea about the lyric.  Care to share ?  rating: **** stars

2.) Riddle    (Philip White) - 3:05

Nice CSN&Y-styled harmony vocals on this country-tinged ballad.   rating: **** stars

3.) Prelude No.4   (Philip White) - 3:52 

Maybe I'm reading too much into the song, but White's pretty 'Prelude No.4' managed to combine one of the album's prettiest melodies with some of the most paranoid lyrics I've encountered.   Always loved the bit of self-criticism that ended the song "Ever notice how all my songs always have these long fade outs."   rating: **** stars

4.) Lookout    (Scott Fraser) - 2:46

Stark, but pretty ballad that showcased their intricate vocals and a touch of Beach Boys influence.  Another lyrically strange tune; when I hear the words it makes me wonder if it was a plea to escape back to Texas ?    rating: **** stars

5.) Blue Ridge Mountains  (David Bullock) - 2:11

Standard autobiographical life-is-tough-as-a-touring-musician tune.  Propelled by the pretty jangle guitar folk-rock melody, Graham Pasons era Byrds quickly came to mind.  Another album highlight.   rating: **** stars

6.) Over and Over   (Scott Fraser) - 5:56

Lyrically this one wasn't going to win them any awards - the title repeated five times.  On the other hand, when the lyrics ended the song exploded into the album's toughest rocker.   The multi-guitar jam ended the album on a high note.   rating: **** stars 

 

Talk about a band with a high mortality rate !!! 

 

Only 56, Wilson died of a heart attack in January 2005.  

Only 57, Fraser died in September 2006.

58, when he passed, White died in September 2008.

 

For anyone interested, there's an extensive (I mean extensive) history of the two bands at: http://www.rockandreprise.net/spaceopera2.html

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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