cash box/album reviews pop picks 'M JESSI COLTER - Jessi Colter - Capitol THE - Steve Harley and ST -11363 - Producers: Ken Mansfield, Waylon Cockney Rebel - EMI ST -11330 - Producers: Jennings Steve Harley, Alan Parsons Jessi Colter is not only gorgeous, but extreme- Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel are even ly talented. She displays the pose and pro- more explosive on this their second LP than they fessionalism of a seasoned veteran on her bright were on the first. The band of English rockers new Capitol album and the product radiates with goes far afield occasionally, but only in an at- her charm and confidence on every track. "You tempt to refine and define their sound to a Ain't Never Been Loved (Like I'm Gonna Love universal pitch. Highlighted by such cuts as You)" is a spectacular success, due to Jessi's "Sweet Dreams." "Tumbling Down." "Singular possessive vocals which give the lyrics a sharp Band" and the scintillating title track, the record poignance and irresistable quality. As at home moves with intensity and purpose and in every with a funky tune as with a sweet ballad, Jessi de- way lives up to the band's reputation as a great ports herself gracefully throughout the entire LP live act. and her future looks bright as a result. THE END Island ILPS 9311 MYOPIA - Tom Fogerty - Fantasy F-9469 - - - - Producer: Russ Gary Producer: of the A charter member of Credence Clearwater Formerly known as the chanteuse has a solo Revival. Tom Fogerty. like this brother John, em- Velvet Underground, Nico developed musical style over the years that is as immediate- barked on a solo career and this LP is the result ly identifiable as Alice Coltrane's. A moody of a great deal of hard work and creative effort. on harmonium, her Germanic - Definitely progressive in nature, Tom's LP is wizard the accented vocals add a large dose of Continental hewn out of a number of musical textures and she touches. Augmented moods that lend themselves to almost any astute flavoring to everything by Phil Manzanera. Eno and John Cale, Nico's ear. We particularly fancy "Give Me Another Tro- fills the gap that's evolved jan Song," "Theme From Four -D" and "There Island debut superbly her a few years back. Was a Time." since "Desertshore" of Included is a lengthy studio version of the Door's "The End," which moves from the arcane into a strong rhythmic statement.

FEAR - John Cale - Island ILPS 9301 ROCK BOTTOM - - Virgin VR Spring forth from the Velvet Underground pre- 13-122 - Producer: Nick Mason vious to their demise, Cale has catalogued an im- Former mainstay Robert Waytt's pressive array of music in the seventies, re- first solo effort to be released stateside should surfacing recently on Island's "June 1. 1974," well enough expand the cultish following he's with the self -produced "Fear" verifying his posi- developed since the mid -sixties. Wyatt's esoteric tion as a talent symbolic of the synthesis of the use of focal overdubbing provides a magnetic avante and the standard. Aided by fellow aura. as English luminaries like Hugh Hopper, Academy members Phil Manzanera, Archie Leg- , Richard Sinclair and Fred Frith gett. Fred Smith and Eno, this Ip easily ranks as supply able musicianship. All cuts are great for Cale's most accessible sessions to date. Cale's FM programming, with "A Last Straw" and the violin meanderings mix well with Phil's guitar jazzy "Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road" be- work on 'Barracuda" and the jam on "Gun." We ing favorites. also like "The Man Who Couldn't Afford To Orgy.

BABE RUTH - Babe Ruth - Harvest ST -11367 - YOU - Gong - Virgin VR 13-113 - Producer: Producer: Steve Rowland Simon Heyworth and Gong The Sultan of Swat himself would be proud to Gong is a conglomeration of Anglo -European hear his namesake play because they have clout innovators with a long list of import credits, but and excellent pitching. All kidding aside the this is their first US release. Led by Daevid Allen. quintet is a finely tuned unit whose music runs the group specializes in spacialities, involving the gamut from good time pop to progressive the listener in the continuing epic of Zero's rock. Jenny Haan. Alan Schacklock. Ed travels to and from the Plant Gong. Steve Spevock, Dave Hewitt and Steve Gurl have com- Hillage's searing guitarisms and Hi T. bined arrangement and dynamics into a skillful Moonweed's intriguing synthesizer work ride set of well conceived material and the effort is well with Bloomido Glad de Brass' woodwind ef- further enhanced by adroit production. We like forts. Gong's primary attention to Space is nicely "Dancer" a lot. supported by the intricate arrangements. com- plimented by well -directed talent. making this a special Ip. Best bets are the synthesized "A Sprinkling Of Clouds" and "Perfect Mistery." THEE IMAGE - Thee Image - Manticore MA6-504S1 - Producers: Thee Image STAR'S END - David Bedford - Virgin Another bright star shoots across the horizon VR -13-114 - Producers: David Bedford, Mike with the dazzling display of musical brilliance by Oldfield Thee Image, a trio of capable lads. who are smart The production collaboration between David and talented. Mike Pinera. Duane Hitchings, and Bedford and Mike "" Oldfield pays Donny Vosburgh put all the elements in groper off handsomely on Bedford's debut for Virgin. In perspective and the result is an integrated sound parts reminiscent of the first Oldfield LP as well that is highlighted by a clever arrangement as his follow up. "Hergest Ridge," David's "Star's scheme and complimentary production tech- End" is more elaborately orchestrated and al- niques. We especially like the tracks 'Good lows the listener to place himself in a vortex of Things", " To Say" and "It Happens All sound that takes on wildly different colors as the The Time." piece progresses. "Star's End" is the only title on the LP and it points the way to a bright future.

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS STORY? Swamp BARRY MILES AND SILVERLIGHT PS - - Dogg Island ILPS 9299 651 - Producer: Tony Camillo - Six albums later Swamp Dogg is still wonder- No relation to Buddy Miles. or even Miles ing why he isn't a superstar. but thanks to Island's Davis. Barry and Silverlight should get plenty of Chris Blackwell, the Dogg might get his shot mileage from their London debut outing. A of this time with a funky display of in -tune commen- sensitive of the intensity of today's blending tary supported by some gettin' down musi- mainstream jazz and some beautifully moody cianship. Dogg sings of mental introspection tracks, Miles has a potential biggie on his hands. ("The Mind Does The Dancing"), daily pains ("Dr. The band. oasically a quartet. is augmented by M.L.G." and "My Hang -Ups Ain't Hung Up No the intelligent use of background vocalists and More"), love pains ("Did I Come Back Too Soon" on "Sweet Love And Devotion" by the and "I Wanna Lifetime Of Loving You"), of Jesus Somerville Strings. We especially like 'Buck He Was No in the Rogers" and"The Top Belle." ("When One") and of life state of States ("God Ain't Blessing America"). A very strong effort.

January 25. 1975 23 www.americanradiohistory.com