This compilation will make a great stocking filler for Uncles and Aunts old enough to remember 1970, the year I turned 5 years old and started school, I was then handicapped by my first teacher who insisted that no child she taught would ever write using their left hand, a decision on her part that soured my view of my school years and has had lasting effects. Thankfully the lasting effects of the songs chosen for this compilation of covers of the hits of 1970 will not have any bad side effects.
This compilation was put together by John M. Borack the journalist and drummer. It is performed mainly by acts signed to Spyder Pop Records and their sister label Big Stir Records, as well as a few other invited guests including Mitch Easter and Bobby Sutliff, the songs chosen include hits, misses and some songs that have only become legendary years later.
The album opens with Are You Ready by Petsche /Raines whose take on this classic originally by Pacific Gas & Electric as gospel soul-tinged song with some cool choral backing and a driving riff.
Bill Lloyd then takes on the Randy Newman much covered Mama Told Me Not To Come, this is far less libidinous than Tom Jones version, but more subtle than Three Dog Nights take on it, this ends up as a jangle soul version.
The Armoires then do their best to make sure that we don't cringe too much, as they sing Christies inescapable hit Yellow River, a song that was so omnipresent in my childhood I knew all the words even while trying to hate it. This version is rather sweet but in no way as saccharine as the original thankfully.
Sparkle*Jets Uk then take on Sunshine that's apparently originally by The Archies, I admit I don't know this song at all. This version is a foot stomping power pop take on it, this is a bright song full of love and hope.
Darian then takes us to Arizona a song originally by Mark Lindsay and it sounds like it could be on an infomercial for the Arizona Tourist board, it has some lovely strings, very full production in a Burt Bacharach style, on this song whose original I'm vaguely familiar with, it certainly wasn't a perennial hit in the UK.
Mitch Easter's version of The Delfonics Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) is less sickly-sweet soul and more lush pop soul with some interesting vocal effects, a kitchen sinks worth of things going on, for this version that Mitch played all the instruments on, a real tour de force that would sound great blaring out of the radio on a hot summers day.
Thankfully Danny Wilkerson chose the clean Ray Stevens classic Everything Is Beautiful rather than The Streak (That came out later), I couldn't help but ruin this by singing along, the song is so deeply imprinted, this version has lots of strings, a slight Indian influence to the music, very tempting to rewind the selector on this one.
Lannie Flowers takes on Joe South's inimitable Walk A Mile In My Shoes is a straight southern country soul take on this song of hope for better times and compassion with some great brass.
Irene Pena takes on what for me is the execrable Come And Get It written by Macca and originally by Badfinger. If I didn't hate this song so much, this would be a pretty good take on it, as it doesn't sound half as sickly as the original.
Richard Barone takes a far more careful pick with a cover of Donovans Riki Tiki Tavi that has some of Donovan's typically acid drenched, out their lyrics, about The Jungle book and the government, this has some wonderful Guitar and E-bow on it as well as Candy John Carr on Bongos and percussion as he was on the original, this is another highlight.
The message on Share The Land, The Guess Who staple that Popdudes re-work here, is still as vital to spread as ever, as we could all do with a lot more togetherness on a song that I haven't heard in decades and it really should be heard, I love the fuzzy guitars. As it breaks down and goes a bit gospel, they really pound the message home in the best way.
The Brothers Steve take on the monument that is Cracklin' Rosie the second most revered Neil Diamond song, this is a good version although the vocals are decidedly thinner than Neil's own vocals. This is thankfully in no way a Karaoke take of this karaoke classic.
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Pat Buchanan plays a rather blue-eyed soul version of Tommy James & the Shondells Tighter, Tighter this in places sounds like they want to be Little Feat, the brass section sound rather sophisticated.
The Legal Matters give me some problems that's for sure, but that's mainly due to my normal Beatles aversion, as they cover George Harrisons What Is Life, if unlike me you love The Beatles then you will probably love this version, it has some great harmony vocals.
Bobby Sutliff plays it relatively straight on his version of the R. Dean Taylor classic Indiana Wants Me a classic song for someone on the run all wrapped up in glorious strings and some nice effects.
Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) is one of those indelible songs of the 70's that I've lost count of the times I've sung along to it, this version by The Test Pressings features the mighty bass of Karen Basset from The Pandoras and is just wonderful, every bit as much fun as the Edison Lighthouse original.
Starbelly play a rather wistful version of Marmalades Reflections Of My Life a song that seems rather fitting to hear again in 2022 after the last few years we've all lived through, it has a glorious guitar solo as well.
Marc Johnson takes on a Melanie song that I'm not at all familiar with Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) and the way the backing vocals work remind me of David Bowies Memories Of A Free Festival, it has a sense of place and time and is rather evocative.
Johnathan Pushkar takes on The Partridge family's huge hit I Think I Love You with some cool instrumentation, even if his vocals aren't as strong as David Cassidy's, but there is more than enough going on to make this a captivating version of a well-worn classic.
Diamond Hands have the onerous task of taking on Lola The Kinks classic of gender confusion, that for me was peerlessly covered by Nicky Thomas and without that Reggae lilt plus the what what what factor of a song with these lyrics be sung as a reggae tune it struggles to rise above, that said this decent if far too close to The Kinks version.
Chris Price takes on Fresh As A Daisy by Emitt Rhodes on a rather slight version that gently leads the listener in with sweet vocals luring you in.
The album closes with The Used Electrics take on a song that was not a hit in 1970, but became a punk classic later, The Stooges magnificent Loose, this is the hardest rocking thing on the album and easily sits well with the couple of hundred versions of this song I own, either by the Stooges, Iggy and any number of other versions a great way to end a very good compilation.
Find out more at https://bigstirrecords.com/product/791693 https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com/album/we-all-shine-on-celebrating-the-music-of-1970
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