line up 1 (1974-76)

- Gitte Glvind -- vocals, percussion

- David Hastings -- lead vocals, guitar, percussion

- Claes Pauli Jacobsen -- drums, percussion

- Inger Jahn -- vocals, percussion

- Konrad "Farmer" Jahn -- vocals, lead guitar

- Arne Degn Kristensen -- bass

- Soren "Nix" Nikolajsen -- percussion, harmonica

- Kristian Pommer -- keyboards, percussion

- Dr. Dopo Jam (Kristian Pommer)

- Peter Abrahamsen & Roxy Trione (Claes Pauli Jacobsen)

- Poltergeist (Soren "Nix" Nikolajsen)

- The Red Squares (Konrad "Farmer" Jahn)

- Step By Step (Claes Pauli Jacobsen and Arne Degn Kristensen)

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Out On the Highway

Company: Metronome

Catalog:  MLP 15 553
Year: 1975

Country/State: Denmark

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: -

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 31024

Price: $40.00

Judging by the cover photo, apparently half the population of Denmark were members of Tequila ...  The same photo gave me the feeling Tequila was going to sound like one of those Jerry Ross promoted mid-'70s Dutch pop bands (think along the lines of The George Baker Selection, or The Tee Set).   

The Danish progressive band Dr. Dopp Jam & His Khana Bee (later abbreviated to Dr. Dopo Jam) formed in 1968.  They managed to record a pair of eccentric albums, before calling it quits in 1974.  After the break-up front man/keyboardist Kristian Pommer went on to form Tequila.  Drummer Claes Pauli Jacobsen and bassist Arne Degn Kristensen had previously been in the band Step By Step.  Singer/lead guitarist Konrad "Farmer" Jahn had been a member of The Red Squares.  Singer/guitarist Dennis Hastings was credited with writing or co-writing all ten songs.  Nothing but speculation on my part, but judging by his name and singing voice, Hastings appears to have been an English expatriate brought in to help polish the band's sound.

Unlike Pommer's Frank Zappa inspired work with Dr. Dopo Jam, the Leif Pedersen produced "Out On the Highway" found Tequila playing it pretty straightforward.  With Hastings responsible for all of the material, tracks like 'Movin' On', 'Love You More' and 'Sing My Song' were all conventional, radio-friendly pop tunes and ballads.  Elsewhere 'Don't Keep Me Waiting Too Long' and 'Werewolf' found the band trying to toughen up their sound (with mixed success).  'Midnight Cowboy' and 'Out On the Highway ' evoked country-rock themes.  It was all nice and professional, though seldom particular inspiring.  That left the atypical numbers as the highlights.  Though it would be labeled socially incorrect in this day and age, 'Gohn's Tequila' was a hysterical stab at Mexican-flavored garage rock.  'Chinese Samba' sought to blend a samba rhythm with jazzy influences while giving Pommer an opportunity to trot out some cheesy '70s synthesizer moves.  Certainly not the worst album I've ever heard, but it really didn't generate a great deal of excitement.

"Out On the Highway" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Midnight Cowboy   (David Hastings) - 4:05   rating: *** stars

'Midnight Cowboy' was harmless bouncy country-tinged number.  Hasting's had an okay voice.  The melody wasn't half bad, bolstered by a pair of nice Konrad "Farmer" Jahn guitar solos.  Elsewhere the song showcased the band's taken-over-by-the-spirits backing vocals.

2.) Love You More   (David Hastings) - 2:30   rating: *** stars

A patented '70s ballad, the soothing melody on 'Love You More' would have been perfect for a candy commercial.  The highlight came in the form of Kristian Pommer's cheesy synthesizer solo.

3.) Don't Keep Me Waiting Too Long   (David Hastings) - 4:19  rating: **** stars

Having acclimated myself to the band's soft-rock commercial leanings, the rocker 'Don't Keep Me Waiting Too Long' came as a minor surprise.  Balancing those pop harmonies with a slightly more ominous melody (with another nice  Jahn solo and more Pommer synthesizer and electric piano), the tune was surprising enjoyable.  My goodness there was even a brief Claes Pauli Jacobsen drum solo.

4.) Sing My Song   (David Hastings) - 3:18   rating: *** stars

Expecting a bland ballad, 'Sing My Song' was an equally bland pop song made even worse by Gitte Glavind and Inger Jahn's shrill backing vocals.  The highlight came on the form of a frenetic Jahn solo.

5.) Gohn's Tequila   (Kristian Pommer) - 2:57  rating: **** stars

There's just something about a Danish band singing a Mexican flavored tune dedicated to Tequila that makes me smile.  Yeah, 'Gohn's Tequila' was horrible, but the mix of manic yelps, loads of Latin percussion, synthesizer burps and those irritating group backing vocals made it worth hearing.

(side 2)

1.) Songs of Love   (David Hastings) - 4:22   rating: *** stars

'Songs of Love' showcased Hastings nice voice, but was wasted on a bland and forgettable ballad.  The song would have actually been perfect for mid-'70s radio airplay.

2.) Chinese Samba (instrumental)   (David Hastings) - 4:17  rating: **** stars

Not only was the song title quirky, but the song was equally bizarre.  Totally unlike anything on the LP, the instrumental 'Chinese Samba' somehow managed to integrated a samba styled melody with some jazz moves and another engaging, if cheesy Pommer synthesizer solo.  Oh yeah, Glavind and Jahn were there on backing vocals

3.) Werewolf   (Kristian Pommer - David Hastings) - 2:45   rating: *** stars

To my ears it didn't sound like Hastings was handling vocals on 'Werewolf'.  Another stab at a harder rock sound, the lyrical content made you smile.

4.) Movin' On   (David Hastings) - 4:26   rating: *** stars

The breezy acoustic pop tune 'Movin' On' was the album's most conventional and commercial offering.  Nice example of how to write a pop song.

5.) Out On the Highway    (David Hastings) - 3:33  rating: ** stars

Another bland country-rocker, 'Out On the Highway' was bizarre for the inclusion of disc jockey "Denny the Freak" bleating on about the album.