8.16.2008

Baby Batter




Harvey Mandel Baby Batter LP (Janus, 1971)

Considering that Harvey Mandel's Baby Batter has several songs with killer funk breaks, is full of hot guitar work, and has musicians such as Big Black and Emil Richards on it, you'd think it would get much more run than it does. But, while not totally obscure, it certainly qualifies as a hidden blues rock gem. And when I write the word "gem" behind "blues rock" please take that seriously, as I wouldn't call myself a fan of the genre. I don't hate it, but you rarely find it at the top of the listening pile. Some exceptions, for sure: I'll never pan early ZZ Top records (or really any ZZ Top record). Absolutely no reservation in putting on an Ansley Dunbar Retaliation album. The first Loading Zone record is a gem. But beyond that, I tread lightly. Yeah, I am sure one of you schmoes is gonna give me a list of blues rock to look for. Thank you, in advance, now can I have a couple over medium with some sour dough toasted and buttered? Maybe, my reservation about blues rock is universal, which is why you don't hear much rattle about this record. Perhaps Mandel's former gig in Canned Heat is a scarlet letter. I dunno. I picked this record up because "Baby Batter" is slang of cum and it is on Janus Records, a label which has some great moments and is worth checking out.

# posted by Scott Soriano : 19:02
Comments:
Excellent! Another one from a Camden market funky cassette compilation which I finally discovered what it is.

Thanks.
# posted by Blogger fritz the cat : 10:40
 
Great grooves lad! Check out Harvey Mandel - Live at the Matrix 1968 over at BasementRug.com.

Thanks,
King Rugrat
BasementRug.com
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 20:18
 
One of my favorite recent discoveries - and blues rock is a genre that I love. Mandel's album reminds me of Jeff Beck's experiemnets in non-vocal rock - why to rock songs always need words? The recording on Janus - at least on my turntable - sounds great, fresh, fully-dimensional, and well recorded. Take alook at my blog - blog.vinylrecordarchitect.com - for my appreciation of this and many other great forgotten records.
# posted by Anonymous paul@springboarddesign.net : 20:43
 
Post a Comment

<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?