Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Fire
Company: ABC
Catalog: ABCS-661
Year: 1969
Country/State: New York, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: gatefold gimmick cover; small bullet hole bottom left corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $50.00
Given this album came out on a major label, it's surprisingly hard to find; particularly in decent condition. The couple of copies I've stumbled across have been thoroughly trashed. I've also seen copies pop up on dealer lists from time, usually accompanied by the usual hype that sets off my BS alarm.
In terms of bibliographical info I can't tell you much about the band. Most of my comments are based on the limited liner notes found on their 1969 self-titled album. Judging by those liner notes singer/keyboardist Paul Glanz was apparently the quartet's mainstay. Unfortunately, I can't even tell you who the other members of the band were though along with Glanz, Jeoffrey Richardson and Leo Vrahatis were both credited as songwriters.
Well, if I can't give you a detailed band history, at least I can tell you a little bit about what their album sounds like. Ignoring dealer hyperbole, 1969's Tom Wilson produced "Fire" offered up a surprisingly enjoyable set of blue-eyed soul and pop. Largely penned by Glanz, tracks such as 'Sunny Da, 'If It's Not Time' (with a great bass pattern) and 'Come & Get These Memories' were highly melodic, hyper-commercial and radio-friendly. Propelled by Glanz's bouncy keyboards and likeable voice (to my ears his vocal delivery occasionally recalled early Todd Rundrgen), virtually any one of these ten tracks would have sounded great on top-40 radio. Stylistically the band reminded me of a lot of other outfits, though if you could picture Todd Rundgren hanging out with Felix Cavaliere and the Rascals ('I Need Your Love To Get Myself Together') you'd be in the right musical neighborhood. There are a couple of exceptions. 'One More Heartache' found the band going for a heavier sound - in this case the results sounded like something out of the Gary Wright and Spooky Tooth catalog. Sure, it may not have been the year's most original album, but the performances were all enthusiastic and these guys sounded like the were actually having fun.
"Fire" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Need Your Love To Get Myself Together (Paul Glanz) - 3:58
2.) I Thought You Were A Lover (Paul Glanz) - 3:45
3.) Sunny Day (Paul Glanz) - 2:43
4.) If It's Not Time (Paul Glanz) - 4:13
5.) Come & Get These Memories (Paul Glanz) - 5:30
(side
2)
1.) One More Heartache (Paul Glanz) - 3:30
2.) Sunday (Paul Glanz) - 4:38
3.) Burn This Want (Jeoffrey Richardson) - 3:30
4.) Pretty Girl, Pretty Day (Paul Glanz) - 4:22
5.) Everyday (Paul Glanz) - 3:59
Glanz went on to become an in-demand sessions player and touring musician working with dozens of acts ranging from Roy Buchanan, to Ringo Starr and a long time member of Carly Simon's recording and touring band.
While I don't know the details, having lost both his wife and young son, in the early 1980s Glanz apparently walked away from his life as a professional musician. He ended up n East Hampton, New York, shedding his old identity to become Paul Gene (Gene was his middle name). In 2001 he returned to the recording studio, releasing "Carpenter's Helper" a set of inspirational material with Anthony Colletti. He's subsequently continued to record inspirational material as a solo artist and has a small website located at:
http://www.paulgene.com/default.html