“Crystal River” is an epic song that evokes another California influence, The Grateful Dead, and is my favorite track. The music and lyrics have a dreamy quality and there are guitar flourishes that evoke Jerry Garcia. Then, if there was any doubt, about three minutes in there is a long spacey bridge where the band takes off for parts uncharted as the guitars and piano trade leads. What’s on the album is the one and only take the band played.
“This Is a Good Street,” written and sung by Tench, is a simple, straightforward tune that sounds like it could easily fit onto an oldies station. It would have been good to do the twist to. All “The Wrong Thing to Do” needed was some saxophone and this rocker with attitude could easily have been a Springsteen number with its story of an independent spirit, although the narrator should have headed to Jersey instead of Miami.
“Queen of the Go-Go Girls” was an original written and performed back when the band used to play strip clubs. Sung by Leadon, it sounds like it would be a perfect fit for Neil Young’s vocals. The Byrds’ “Lover of the Bayou” is another song from the band’s old set list. Campbell delivers fantastic guitar licks on this one.
“June Apple” is a traditional instrumental and the organ is reminiscent of the Allman Brothers. “House of Stone” closes out the album, a country number that slowly shuffles along with Campbell on mandolin. The end seems to come to soon because the visit was such a pleasure, and I am already anticipating their second release.
Mudcrutch proudly states in the liner notes that the album was recorded live, making clear the album was “recorded live, vocal, harmony, everything” over the course of 10 days with the arrangements done on the studio floor. It’s a valuable lesson for musicians although the talents of the men involved make it easier than it appears.
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
It's sitting in the lower section of the Hot 100 after spending a week near the top. It's good enough - nothin' fancy, though. We'll see where Petty's recently reissued greatest hits ends up right away here.
2 - Josh Hathaway
Well done, Sir Bicho. I've loved this one since I got it, too. It's one of the best of this year, no question about it.