Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Music By Aaron
Company: Eastern
Catalog: ERS 539
Year: 1974
Country/State: Prince Georges County, Maryland
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: textured cover
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4876
Price: $180.00
Here's another obscurity I'd like to know a little more about. Unfortunately, there's next to nothing on the web. What little I can tell you comes from the scant liner notes on their album.
Judging by the photos on the back cover of their album I'm guessing that these guys were still in their late teens when they recorded their sole album. Showcasing the talents of singer/guitarist Cham Laughlin, brother/bassist Tommy Laughlin, drummer Chuck Page and singer/keyboardist Mark Pond, 1974's "Music By Aaron" was recorded at Richmond, Virginia's Eastern Studios (though they were apparently from Prince Georges County, Maryland). Apparently a vanity project meant for distribution to family, friends and sale at local concerts, I've seen at least one on-line reference that says only 500 copies were pressed. Regardless of the actual number pressed, this album is pretty obscure and when it shows up on dealer lists typically commands some pretty big prices. Those dealer lists also tend to slap a psych label on the album. Let me warn you that the psych content is pretty low. Cham Laughlin's credited with most of the nine tracks, though all three of the other members co-wrote material. Musically the set's impressive on at least a couple of counts. First, the set sounds remarkably professional and well produced for such a young band. Heard on quality headphones the album's fidelity matches lots of big ticket productions. The album's also surprisingly diverse. The opener 'Will You Go There with Me' sounds like something out of The Marshall Tucker Band catalog. The mid-tempo rocker 'Lovin' Woman' sports some nice jazzy keyboard and guitar moves. Sporting some nice harmony work the ballad 'Like the Season' would have made a nice single. Personal favorites - the bluesy rocker 'You're Coming Down' (though it's too bad they had to split the song between side one and two of the album) and the should've been a hit 'Dreamin''.
"Music By
Aaron" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Will You Go There with Me (Cham Laughlin) - 4:44
2.) Lovin' Woman (Chuck Page - Cham Laughlin) -
3.) Like the Season (Tommy Laughlin - Cham Laughlin) - 4:40
4.) You're Comin' Down (Cham Laughlin) - 4:15
(side
2)
1.) You're Comin' Down (Cham Laughlin) - 2:04
2.) Family Circle (Tommy Laughlin - Mark Pond - Cham Laughlin) - 4:23
3.) Dreamin' (Cham Laughlin) - 4:02
4.) I Hear Them Singin' (Cham Laughlin) - 4:08
5.) Tims (Tommy Laughlin - Mark Pond) - 4:08
Cham
Laughlin is apparently still involved in music, teaching songwriting
seminars and operating a sound studio in Prince Georges County,
Virginia. Chuck Page also appears to have remained active in music
continuing to collaborate with Laughlin as a songwriter.