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Women and Children First
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Barnes and Noble
Women and Children First
Current price: $17.99
Barnes and Noble
Women and Children First
Current price: $17.99
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Size: CD
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is a clever moniker for a band, although
were rather baffled to find themselves so named on their 1970 debut album,
.
's reputation as a rousing live act was already cemented by several years of plying cover songs around the South Wales club circuit, which is where drummer
came across them. Impressed, he oversaw their demo, which landed
a deal at
, then co-wrote, arranged, and co-produced their full-length. And thus begins the
story, for
/
featured both the band's future frontman,
, and guitarist,
. However, this album is very much a child of its time, only hinting at what's to come. It's a heady mixture of pub rock, hard-rocking R&B, blues, psychedelia, and San Francisco prog rock, with nods to the British hard rock scene along the way,
hit just about every musical touchstone of their day. Incidentally,
'
bandmate,
, provides the fabulous keyboard work on the gorgeous
the genre-bending
and presumably the rest of the album, although no keyboardist is actually credited. The album's title track captures the excitement they engendered on-stage,
their propensity to roam around genres,
their proggy best,
their pubby predilections and bluesy flair,
their emotive power, and
their pop sensibilities. Even though
is a strong set, there are flaws, from the so-so production to the set's lack of cohesion, a reflection of too many songwriters stirring the musical pot.
were ferociously talented musicians, but they were still a covers band struggling to find their own sound. They never got the chance.
failed to publicize
, and it sank without a trace. The band followed it into oblivion, as the members swiftly departed for new projects.
and
, of course, reunited later in the decade, and the rest is history. ~ Jo-Ann Greene