Articles by: Beverly Paterson

Vinyl

Bill Lloyd – Feeling the Elephant (1987): Forgotten Series

Stuffed with ear candy, Bill Lloyd’s ‘Feeling the Elephant’ arrived three decades ago with a flair for shrewdly stitched pop rock.

Kiss - Rock and Roll Over (1976): On Second Thought

Kiss – Rock and Roll Over (1976): On Second Thought

Kiss’ ‘Rock and Roll Over’ appeared only months after ‘Destroyer.’ History shows, however, that the best rock music thrives on spontaneity.

Banchee - Banchee (1969): Forgotten Series

Banchee – Banchee (1969): Forgotten Series

Carved of ragged and jagged guitars, cutting melodies and loose and natural energy, ‘Banchee’ is one rocking record. Too bad it’s so hard to find.

Chicago, "Mama Mama" from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Mama Mama” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

There’s nothing deep or profound, to be sure, about Peter Cetera’s “Mama Mama,” yet the sentiment on this ‘Chicago X’ deep cut is pure and sincere.

Vinyl

Material Issue – Telecommando Americano (1997): On Second Thought

Material Issue’s ‘Telecommando Americano’ was completed early in 1996, but wasn’t released until after Jim Ellison took his life – making for a rather bittersweet affair.

Vinyl

Tommy James and the Shondells – Cellophane Symphony (1969): Forgotten Series

Despite garnering great commercial rewards, Tommy James and the Shondells harbored a desire for more expressive modes of experimentation.

Vinyl

The Turtles – Present the Battle of the Bands (1968): Forgotten Series

Created as a parody of late ’60s sounds, ‘Present the Battle of the Bands’ highlighted the Turtles’ fun factor.

Vinyl

Oliver Ignatius, “Citys a Hell” (2018): One Track Mind

Damfino’s Oliver Ignatius captures our imagination on “Citys a Hell,” a moonlighting solo single which moves far afield of his main band’s quirky pop rock.

America - Holiday (1974): On Second Thought

America – Holiday (1974): On Second Thought

The early ’70s may not have been a very good time for the country America – witness the Vietnam War and Watergate – but it was a very good time for the musical act America.

Vinyl

Joe Merklee – July (2018)

Featuring calm and quiet vocals, Joe Merklee’s new EP ‘July’ exudes a deceptive strength, with delicate melodies that really sneak up on you.