line up 1  (1972)

- Ed McCafferty -- vocals, bass, guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar

- Bob Teer -  vocals, guitar, tambourine

  supporting musicians:

- Harry Barber -- keyboards

- Ian Bennett -- sax

- Bobby Colomby -- drums, percussion

- Dennis Garcia -- bass

- Mark Jacobson -- flute

- Tony Pacheco -- percussion

- Shellhouse (Bob Teer)

- Bob Teer (solo efforts)

Genre: country-rock

Rating: 2

Title:  Maker of Song

Company: Alithia

Catalog:  9101
Year: 1972

Country/State: New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 31204

Price: $90.00

Never judge a book by its cover ...   Never judge an album by its cover ...  I just never seem to learn to pay attention to those adages  ...   

The album cover showed two skinny, long-haired guys.  They looked quite similar, making me wonder if the were actually brothers.  Not.  Seemed like this was going to be a faceless country-rock flavored endeavor. 

Widsith was singer/songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Bob Teer and Ed McCafferty.  Speculation on my part, but I'm guessing the name was inspired by the ancient English poem 'Widsith', better know as 'The Travellers Song'.  Most of the on-line bios tie the duo to New Jersey, but Teer was a New York native and the album was recorded at Echo Sound Studios in Levitttown, New York.  Prior to recordiing the album Teer had attracted a little attention playing New York City coffee houses where he seems to have begun working at Ed McCafferty.  

One of the first acts signed to the New Jersey-based Alithia label, their 1972 album "Maker of Song" was the label's second album release.  Produced by Mike Harrison, the collection showcased a set of ten originals.  Teer was credited with penning all of the material; McCafferty getting co-writer credits on two songs.  While this one didn't get a lot of credit for originality, the pair exhibited consistently good tastes in their influences.  My ears heard echoes of John Sebastian, Brewer and Shipley and even a little David Crosby ('Rainfoot's Carnival').  Teer handled most of the vocals and his voice has always reminded me of a solo John Sebastian.  McCafferty frequently added harmonies and the two sounded pretty good when blending their voices (check out 'The River').  What saved the set from pedestrian folk status is the varied song and arrangements that include plenty of electric guitar.  Yeah, 'Climb On' and 'Dazey' were pretty standard folk outings.  'Mulberry Hill' and the closer 'Singer In the Marketplace' added folk-rock to the mix.  For me, the two most interesting songs reflected a CSN&Y flavor - specifically a David Crosby influence.  The enigmatic 'Rainfoot's Carnival' and 'Scylla' replicated Crosby's unique mix of psych and jazz inflections.

An album that has steadily grown on me.

"Maker of Song" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Mighty Owl   (Bob Teer) - 3:56   rating: ** stars

'The Mighty Owl' opened the album with a routine slice of country-blues.  The performance was enthusiastic and McCaffery provided some nice slide guitar, but you'd heard this genre dozens and dozens of times before.

2.) Climb On  (Bob Teer) - 3:45  rating: *** starsl

'Cimb On' was more in line with what I initially expected from this album - a pretty folk tune showcasing Teer's dry vocals.  Always liked the accompanying electric guitar, though drummer Bobby Colomby (of Blood, Sweat and Tears fame) seemed to get lost a couple of times.

3.) A Child's Father's Song  (Bob Teer) - 3:59   rating: *** stars

'A Child's Father's Song' had the album's most conventional pop tune and enough lyrics to fill a small book.  The folk-rock performance and Teer's vocals reminded me of a John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful) solo song.  

4.) Dazey Me  (Bob Teer) - 3:23  rating: **** stars

At first there didn't seem to be much to like about 'Dazey'.  A standard acoustic ballad, it was just two guys strumming away on guitars with a bit of tinkling piano in the background.  And maybe because the performance was so laidback and nonchalance, the performance was lulling and intriguing.   One of the album's hidden treasurers.

5.) Rainfoot's Carnival  (Bob Teer) - 1:38  rating: **** stars

At one point in my life the jazzy vibe and enigmatic lyrics (anyone have a clue what it's about), would have sent me running out of the room.  Now that I am older and wiser (LOL), I have to admit that I really like this one.  For goodness sakes it makes a reference to Ray Bradbury.  No idea what 'Rainfoot's Carnival' was about, but it introduced a David Crosby-styled lysergic edge to their sound.  

(side 2)

1.) Mullberry Hill  (Bob Teer) - 3:19   rating: *** stars

Folk-rock with the emphasis on rock this time around.  Excellent electric guitar and full rock accompaniment.   Should have upped the tempo a touch, but still very nice.

2.) The River   (Bob Teer - Ed McCafferty) - 3:20   rating: *** stars

One of two songs co-written by Teer and McCafferty, 'Teh River' was another Brewer and Shipley styled folk-rocker.  The song had a bouncy melody and good timey feel. This one was nice for showing how Terr and McCafferty's blended voices.. 

3.) Rust In the Rain  (Bob Teer - Ed McCafferty) - 3:15

While it had a distinctive country flavor, 'Rust In the Rain' showcased a bouncy melody and what was the album's most commercial vibe.   With Teer and McCafferty sharing lead vocals, this one's always reminded me of something that Brewer and Shipley ('One Toke Over the Line'), might have recorded.  The tune as tapped as the only single:

- 1972's 'Rust In the Rain' b/w 'A Child's Father's Song' (Alithia catalog number AR 6045)

4.) Scylla  (Bob Teer) - 2:13

Another track where Crosby (along with buddies Nash and Still) seems to have shown his influence.  Like 'Rainfoot's Carnival', this one exhibited the same unique mix of psych and jazz influeces.  The guitar has always reminded me of Stephen Stills' performance on 'Wooden Ships'.   One of the album highlights.

5.) Singer In the Marketplace  (Bob Teer) - 5:24   rating: *** stars

Yeah it was a folk song, but with prominent electric guitars.  The vocals always reminded me of Zager and Evans.  The melody also reminded me of something and then I saw a Facebook comment that was right on the mark - the song bore an uncanny resemblance to The Moody Blues' 'Nights In White Satin'.  The last two minutes were devoted to the electric guitars with a bit of needless scatting.

Teer is still active in music, performing with Shellhouse: https://www.shellhousemusic.com/shellhouse-home