Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: It's
All About Spooky Tooth
Company: Island
Catalog: ILPS
9080
Year: 1968
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: UK
pressing; extra heavy vinyl
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
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Evolving out of the R&B oriented VIPs (who metamorphosed
into the progressive leaning Art (see separate entries), Spooky Tooth was formed in late 1967 by
expatriate American keyboard player Gary Wright (then studying medicine in England) and English guitarist Mike Harrison. With the addition of lead guitarist Luther Grosvernor, drummer Michael Kellie and bassist Greg Ridley, extensive touring tightened the band's chops, leading to a deal with Chris Blackwell's Island Records.
1968's "It's All About Spooky Tooth" found the band teamed with producer Jimmy Miller. Propelled by Wright's ear-shattering vocals and aggressive keyboards, the collection served to establish the band's patented heavy sound. Musically the set offered up a standard mix of popular covers (Janis Ian's "Society's Child" and Dylan's "Too Much of Nothing") and original efforts ("Love Really Changed Me" and "Here I Lived So Well"). What differed them from the competition was their distinctive over-the-top, heavy-metal-meets-blues feel. Tracks such as "Here I Lived So Well",
"Sunshine Help Me" and a molten cover of J.D. Loudermilk's "Tobacco
Road" simply oozed an aura of 'heavy' ... While they weren't exactly the year's most subtle
offerings, "It's All About a Roundabout" and "It Hurts You So" at least demonstrated they could lighten up a bit. Elsewhere, while his
appearances were far and few between, on the psych influenced "Bubbles"
Harrison's gruff delivery offered up a nice counterpart to Wright's
shrillness.
With Island choosing not to release the collection in the States, Bell's Mala subsidiary acquired distribution rights, briefly releasing the collection in the States as "Spooky Tooth". Two years later A&M repackaged the set (including awful new cover art) as "Tobacco Road".
"It's All About Spooky Tooth" track listing:
1.) Society's Child (Janis Ian) - 4:30
2.) Love Really Changed Me (Luther Grosvenor - Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:33
3.) Here I Lived So Well (Luther Grosvenor - Mike Harrison - Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 5:06
4.) Too Much of Nothing (Bob Dylan) - 3:57
5.) Sunshine Help Me (Gary Wright) - 3:02
6.) It's All About a Roundabout (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 2:43
7.) Tobacco Road (Loudermilk) - 5:33
8.) It Hurts You So (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:03
9.) Forget It, I've Got It (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:26
10.) Bubbles (Luther Grosvenor - Gary Wright) - 2:49
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Spooky
Tooth Two
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-4194
Year: 1969
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor
ring, corner and edge wear
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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Standing as the group's formal American debut, 1969's
"Spooky Two" reinforced their reputation as a happening underground act. Refining their molten-metal attack, the collection benefited from growing studio confidence and improved production values. Showcasing an exceptional strong set of original material, "Evil Woman" and "That was Only Yesterday" aptly displayed the group's keyboard and guitar fury, quickly becoming FM staples. Elsewhere, Grosvenor's guitar added real rock punch to tracks such as "Better By You, Better By Me". Less appealing, "Bubbles" found the band taking an unsuccessful stab at Traffic styled psychedelia. A classic example of '60s rock, the album marked the band's artistic and commercial zenith. An impressive seller, the album peaked at #44. Shortly after it's release bassist Ridley left to join Humble Pie (see separate entry) and was replaced by Andy Leigh.
"Spooky Two" track listing:
1.) Waitin' For The Wind (Luther Grosvenor - Mike Harrison - Gary Wright) - 3:29
2.) Feelin' Bad (Mike Kellie - Gary Wright) - 3:17
3.) I've Got Enough Heartaches (Mike Kellie - Gary Wright) - 3:24
4.) Evil Woman (Weiss) - 9:00
5.) Lost In My Dream (Gary Wright) - 5:03
6.) That Was Only Yesterday (Gary Wright) - 3:51
7.) Better By You, Better Than Me (Gary Wright) - 3:36
8.) Hangman Hang My Shell On A Tree (Gary Wright) - 5:40
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Rating: **
(2 stars)
Title: Ceremony
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-4225
Year: 1970
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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1969's "Ceremony" found the band jumping into a full-scale collaboration with French electronic musician Pierre Henry. Showcasing the combination of Grovesnor's screaming guitar and Wright's growling voice and stabbing keyboards, dirge-like material such as "Offering", "Hosanna" and "Have Mercy" offered up a concept piece; the package built around a vaguely religious theme. Emphasizing electronic sounds and outright experimentation, tracks such as the percussion and guitar dominated "Confessions" and "Jubilation" (sporting an ongoing sob, the latter was easily one of rock's most irritating songs, we thought our record player had broken), left most fans confused and unhappy. While the band's credentials as serious musicians may have enjoyed a boost, the same couldn't be said for sales, the collection faltering at #92. (John Holmes cover painting stood as one of the year's uglier offerings.)
"Ceremony" track listing:
1.) Have Mercy (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 7:52
2.) Jubilation (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 8:27
3.) Confession (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 6:53
4.) Prayer (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 10:52
5.) Offering (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 3:22
6.) Hosanna (Pierre Henry - Gary Wright) - 7:37
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: The
Last Puff
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-4266
Year: 1970
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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The collection was followed by another round of personnel changes, including Wright's departure to start Wonderwheel and Luther Grosvenor's defection to Mott the Hoople (where he took on the persona of Ariel
Bender) (see separate entries). With their recording contract calling for the release of another album, Harrison found himself left holding the corporate bag. To his credit, he acted to complete the required
obligation, promptly recruiting former Grease band alumnus's Henry McCullough, Chris Stainton and Alan Spenner. The makeshift lineup quickly recorded 1970's aptly titled
"The Last Puff". Given the album's humble origins, it proved a surprisingly tight and enjoyable endeavor. Having lost their prime writers, Harrison and company turned to an engaging mixture of castoffs (the Chris Stainton title track and Wright's "Wrong Time") and covers (a roaring take on The Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" and Elton John's "Son of Your Father"). Although the band broke up shortly after the album's release, it proved a modest seller, reaching #84. Harrison subsequently embarked on a brief solo career (see separate entry).
"The Last Puff" track listing:
1.) I Am the Walrus (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 6:22
2.) Wrong Time (H. McCracken - Gary Wright) - 5:07
3.) Something to Say (Joe Cocker - Nicholls) - 5:49
4.) Nobody There at All (Martin - Post) - 3:58
5.) Down River (David Ackles) - 4:47
6.) Son of Your Father (Elton John - Bernie Taupin) - 3:52
7.) Last Puff (Chris Stainton) - 3:37
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Tobacco
Road
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-
Year: 1971
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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In the wake of the band's demise, A&M reissued the group's 1968 debut "It's All About Spooky Tooth" as
"Tobacco Road". The album proved a poor seller, faltering at #152.
"Tobacco Road" track listing:
1.) Society's Child (Janis Ian) - 4:30
2.) Love Really Changed Me (Luther Grosvenor - Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:33
3.) Here I Lived So Well (Luther Grosvenor - Mike Harrison - Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 5:06
4.) Too Much of Nothing (Bob Dylan) - 3:57
5.) Sunshine Help Me (Gary Wright) - 3:02
6.) It's All About a Roundabout (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 2:43
7.) Tobacco Road (Loudermilk) - 5:33
8.) It Hurts You So (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:03
9.) Forget It, I've Got It (Jimmy Miller - Gary Wright) - 3:26
10.) Bubbles (Luther Grosvenor - Gary Wright) - 2:49
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Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: You
Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw
Company: Island
Catalog: ILPS-
Year: 1973
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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Following a three year break, Harrison and Wright reunited Spooky Tooth. Recruiting drummer Bryson Graham, guitarist Mick Jones and former Eire Apparent bassist Chris Stewart (see separate entry), the quintet released 1973's
"You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw". Self-produced, the album proved surprisingly tight and listenable. Largely penned by Wright (drummer Graham contributing "This Time Around"), keyboard and guitar propelled material such as the lead off rocker "Cotton Growing Man", "Old As I was Born", "Holy Water" and "Wildfire" showcasing the band's now-patented
up tempo bluesy style. While hardly earth shattering, the set was easily as good as anything being pumped out by the likes of Bad Company. The album hit #84. (The set was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw" track listing:
1.) Cotton Growing Man (Gary Wright) -
2.) Old As I was Born (Gary Wright) -
3.) This Time Around (Bryson Graham) -
4.) Holy Water (Gary Wright) -
5.) Wildfire (Gary Wright) -
6.) Self Seeking Man (Gary Wright) -
7.) Times Have Changed (Gary Wright - Mick Jones) -
8.) Moriah (Gary Wright) -
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Witness
Company: Island
Catalog: ILPS
Year: 1973
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $15.00
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Dropped by A&M, "Witness" found the quintet relocating to New York and recording for Chris Blackwell's Island Records. Classic Spooky Tooth, material such as "Ocean of Power", "Things Change" and "As Long As the World Keeps Turning" aptly displayed Wright's wailing vocals and the group's instantly recognizable over-the-top mixture of keyboards and guitar. While the album did little to expand their musical horizons, all nine tracks were professional and enjoyable. Elsewhere, the seldom heard Harrison proved himself an excellent vocalist on the standout molten-guitar rocker "Don't Ever Stray". Continuing there gradual loss of audience, the album only reached #99.
"Witness" track listing:
1.) Ocean of Power (Gary Wright)
2.) Wings on My Heart (Gary Wright)
3.) As Long as the World Keeps Turning (Gary Wright)
4.) Don't Ever Stray Away (Chris Stewart - Gary Wright)
5.) Things Change (Gary Wright)
6.) All Sewn Up (Jones - Gary Wright)
7.) Dream Me a Mountain (Gary Wright)
8.) Sunlight of My Mind (Gary Wright)
9.) Pyramids (Mike Kellie - Gary Wright)
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: The
Mirror
Company:
Catalog:
Year: 1974
Grade
(cover/record):
Comments:
Available:
Price: $
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By the time 1974's "The
Mirror" was released, the band had undergone yet another lineup change . With Graham, Jones and Wright the only holdovers, the band was rounded out by Boxer singer/keyboardist Mike Patto and bassist Val Burke. In spite of the extensive personnel changes, the band's hard rock attack remained largely intact, if increasingly anonymous (material such as "Woman and Gold" recalling Deep Purple). Co-produced by Wright, Jones and Eddie Kramer, selections such as the lead-off track "Fantasy Satisfier", "Two Time Love" and the gospelish "Higher Circles" served to showcase the combination of Wright's instantly recognizable
screech, his wall of sound keyboards and Jones' molten guitar solos. With Wright and Jones forced into the role of chief writers, Harrison's defection appeared to have little impact on the band. While far from their strongest set, among the blatant few missteps was the decision to allow Patto to handle lead vocals on "Kyle". Surprisingly consistent and mildly enjoyable, the album proved a modest success, peaking at #130. (The album was originally released with a
die cut cover.)
"The Mirror" track listing:
1.) Fantasy Satisfier
2.) Two Time Love
3.) Kyle
4.) Woman and Gold
5.) Higher Circles
6.) Hell or High Water
7.) I'm Alive
8.) Mirror
9.) Hoofer
The band's tortuous existence came to an end early the next year, Jones, Wright and the other members going on to a number of outside projects (see separate entries).
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