Post by gregg on Sept 27, 2007 17:46:40 GMT -5
Well, I was hoping that my review some time ago would have generated some talk among us, but that didn't happen. However, I said I would continue to review CRASH's releases and here's my second review. HOPEFULLY some of the group members will have opinions on my thoughts on this LP. 
YOU BETTER MOVE ON
The opening track was the second top 10 hit off this fantastic country rock LP - having reached number 10 in November of 1971. If the song sounds familiar, it might be because it was a number 24 hit for Arthur Alexander in 1962. Alexander also had a minor hit with a song called “Burning Love” in the 1970’s before you-know-who made it a classic. Like the song “Knock Three Times”, the interplay between Buddy Spicher and Lloyd Green help create the sound would dominate many of CRASH‘s country-rock favorites. Even though this too was first recorded by a pop artist, CRASH truly makes this song his own. It’s a great opening cut, and an excellent opening to the record. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !
WHAT HE DON’T KNOW WON’T HURT HIM
The second cut on this LP brings CRASH back to his classic country sound. It’s a song that tells the story of a man who overhears his cheating wife on the phone as she tells her lover that what her husband don’t know won’t hurt him. The narrative of the songs draws you in as you wonder what the man in the song plans to do about the situation. It’s a simple song, but made believable by CRASH’s sensitive singing of the song.
SEVENTH SON
This time CRASH tackles a Johnny Rivers (among others) classic. The choice of this song gives CRASH an opportunity to show off some of his macho vocalisms - “yea, I’m the one.” His growl in the song is pure perfection, and it should be noted that he was doing this long before Conway Twitty or Kenny Rogers added it to their bag of tricks.
JEANIE NORMAN
Just when you CRASH has you on the verge of rocking, he again takes you down the road of regret and heartache. This time it comes in the form of a country ballad called “Jeanie Norman.” The use of Buddy Spicher’s fiddle and Kelso Herston’s dobro instantly set the mood for this tale of the regret that comes from losing your first true love to another. Why does CRASH sound so at ease on these sad songs ?
THE FOOL
There’s something for everybody in this track. The music that surrounds CRASH on this one is an excellent example of why Ron Chancey was indeed the man to produce CRASH at this time. He was a magician in the studio as evidenced here in the way that he utilized Bob Moore’s bass line against CRASH’s easy-flowing singing to pefection. Then Chancey hits you with Lloyd Green’s steel guitar and dueling fiddles from Buddy Spicher and Sammy Dodge. If you can, ignore CRASH’s vocals and dig the music on this track. A FAVORITE !
DREAM LOVER
In a little less than five months after “Knock Three Times” went to number 3 on the charts, CRASH was back in the top 5 with this cover of the Bobby Darin song “Dream Lover.” For his remake, CRASH adds his own pinch of country rock - and a few trademark “huh’s and “yea’s” to accentuate the steady rhythm provided by drummer Willie Ackerman. CRASH CLASSIC !
SHE COULD
This has got to be CRASH’s finest vocal recording up to this point. He simply is singing from another world on this one. If you don’t believe me, put your headphones on and allow CRASH to take you away. I could do without the Porter Wagonerish sounding background vocalists, but then again this was recorded over 35 years ago. Kenny Rogers’ future producer (Larry Butler) shows why he was a top session player on this one - his piano playing makes this song magic. YOU’LL PLAY THIS ONE AGAIN & AGAIN !!
‘TIL MORNING
Some songs just aren’t long enough, and this is and example of one. It clocks in at close to two minutes, and like a CRASH concert - it leaves you wanting more. This track again showcases the drumming of Willie Ackerman whose steady beat will have you bopping along on this one. A harmless and enjoyable song.
SHE’S MY ANGEL
Like a majority of songs on this LP, CRASH nicely wraps his vocal chords around a laid back country ballad. This time there is no tale of misery or regret. It’s a simple song that tells the story of a man who is blessed to have an angel in his arms each night as he lays his tired and hard-working body down next to hers. There's nothing spectacular about this one, but nothing that will make you skip it either.
TREAT HER RIGHT
This is another cover by CRASH. This time he takes on Roy Head’s classic “Threat Her Right.” As you listen to this song, it is obvious that this is the moment that “Mr. Country Rock” was born. On that day, in Woodland Sound Studios, CRASH was hitting on all cylinders. When he sings the “hey, hey, hey” in the song’s bridge, he knows he’s got a good thing going on. He is truly in command when he instructs the band by playfully telling them to “play it children.” This should have been the follow-up single to “Knock Three Times” instead of being buried on the flipside of “Afraid I’ll Want to Love Her One More Time.” WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION - perhaps they had considered it for a single as it appears on this LP and his first one (Knock Three Times) for CartWheel.
Final Thoughts...
An excellent follow-up album from CRASH. It’s obvious that Ron Chancey had his hand firmly on the steering wheel as these first two albums from the Chancey / Craddock team were just the beginnings of a great partnership and some great music. The two would strike more gold on their next release. *****
Gregg
YOU BETTER MOVE ON
The opening track was the second top 10 hit off this fantastic country rock LP - having reached number 10 in November of 1971. If the song sounds familiar, it might be because it was a number 24 hit for Arthur Alexander in 1962. Alexander also had a minor hit with a song called “Burning Love” in the 1970’s before you-know-who made it a classic. Like the song “Knock Three Times”, the interplay between Buddy Spicher and Lloyd Green help create the sound would dominate many of CRASH‘s country-rock favorites. Even though this too was first recorded by a pop artist, CRASH truly makes this song his own. It’s a great opening cut, and an excellent opening to the record. ESSENTIAL LISTENING !
WHAT HE DON’T KNOW WON’T HURT HIM
The second cut on this LP brings CRASH back to his classic country sound. It’s a song that tells the story of a man who overhears his cheating wife on the phone as she tells her lover that what her husband don’t know won’t hurt him. The narrative of the songs draws you in as you wonder what the man in the song plans to do about the situation. It’s a simple song, but made believable by CRASH’s sensitive singing of the song.
SEVENTH SON
This time CRASH tackles a Johnny Rivers (among others) classic. The choice of this song gives CRASH an opportunity to show off some of his macho vocalisms - “yea, I’m the one.” His growl in the song is pure perfection, and it should be noted that he was doing this long before Conway Twitty or Kenny Rogers added it to their bag of tricks.
JEANIE NORMAN
Just when you CRASH has you on the verge of rocking, he again takes you down the road of regret and heartache. This time it comes in the form of a country ballad called “Jeanie Norman.” The use of Buddy Spicher’s fiddle and Kelso Herston’s dobro instantly set the mood for this tale of the regret that comes from losing your first true love to another. Why does CRASH sound so at ease on these sad songs ?
THE FOOL
There’s something for everybody in this track. The music that surrounds CRASH on this one is an excellent example of why Ron Chancey was indeed the man to produce CRASH at this time. He was a magician in the studio as evidenced here in the way that he utilized Bob Moore’s bass line against CRASH’s easy-flowing singing to pefection. Then Chancey hits you with Lloyd Green’s steel guitar and dueling fiddles from Buddy Spicher and Sammy Dodge. If you can, ignore CRASH’s vocals and dig the music on this track. A FAVORITE !
DREAM LOVER
In a little less than five months after “Knock Three Times” went to number 3 on the charts, CRASH was back in the top 5 with this cover of the Bobby Darin song “Dream Lover.” For his remake, CRASH adds his own pinch of country rock - and a few trademark “huh’s and “yea’s” to accentuate the steady rhythm provided by drummer Willie Ackerman. CRASH CLASSIC !
SHE COULD
This has got to be CRASH’s finest vocal recording up to this point. He simply is singing from another world on this one. If you don’t believe me, put your headphones on and allow CRASH to take you away. I could do without the Porter Wagonerish sounding background vocalists, but then again this was recorded over 35 years ago. Kenny Rogers’ future producer (Larry Butler) shows why he was a top session player on this one - his piano playing makes this song magic. YOU’LL PLAY THIS ONE AGAIN & AGAIN !!
‘TIL MORNING
Some songs just aren’t long enough, and this is and example of one. It clocks in at close to two minutes, and like a CRASH concert - it leaves you wanting more. This track again showcases the drumming of Willie Ackerman whose steady beat will have you bopping along on this one. A harmless and enjoyable song.
SHE’S MY ANGEL
Like a majority of songs on this LP, CRASH nicely wraps his vocal chords around a laid back country ballad. This time there is no tale of misery or regret. It’s a simple song that tells the story of a man who is blessed to have an angel in his arms each night as he lays his tired and hard-working body down next to hers. There's nothing spectacular about this one, but nothing that will make you skip it either.
TREAT HER RIGHT
This is another cover by CRASH. This time he takes on Roy Head’s classic “Threat Her Right.” As you listen to this song, it is obvious that this is the moment that “Mr. Country Rock” was born. On that day, in Woodland Sound Studios, CRASH was hitting on all cylinders. When he sings the “hey, hey, hey” in the song’s bridge, he knows he’s got a good thing going on. He is truly in command when he instructs the band by playfully telling them to “play it children.” This should have been the follow-up single to “Knock Three Times” instead of being buried on the flipside of “Afraid I’ll Want to Love Her One More Time.” WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION - perhaps they had considered it for a single as it appears on this LP and his first one (Knock Three Times) for CartWheel.
Final Thoughts...
An excellent follow-up album from CRASH. It’s obvious that Ron Chancey had his hand firmly on the steering wheel as these first two albums from the Chancey / Craddock team were just the beginnings of a great partnership and some great music. The two would strike more gold on their next release. *****
Gregg