- John Alvarez - 

- Chip Navarro - 

- Joe Salazar - 

- none known

Genre: pop

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Beretmusic

Company: Aries

Catalog: XPL-1011

Year: 1970

Country/State: Connecticut

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: small piece of tape on back side; textured cover; signed by all three members on back cover

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4585

Price: $30.00

Cost: $66.00

I got this one in an ill-advised trade, taking a chance on what sounded like an intriguing piece of work. Good luck finding out anything about this trio, let alone finding a copy of the LP ...  

From the liner notes I know their names were John Alvarez, Chip Navarro and Joe Salazar.  Their sole album, 1970's "Beretmusic" was apparently recorded in New Haven, Connecticut with production by Martin Kugell and Samot Arikios.  Largely written by Alvarez, this one's a challenge to adequately describe.  Material such as 'On the Road', 'Back Roads of My Mind' and 'Yes I Love Her' is pretty poppy, but the album has a strange vibe to it, complete with occasional effects laden vocals and some of the most irritating backing vocals you'll ever hear (I was wondering if they were pulling people's fingernails out).  Apparently a live track (it sounds like they were playing for about three people), the ballad 'My Woman' seems to confirm that these guys were really a lounge act at hearts.  They also get a nod for turning in the lamest cover of 'Woodstock' I've ever heard.  Hard to believe, but these guys manage to make it sound like a salad dressing commercial.  Mind you, it's real person potential I would have earned it three stars, but there are horns on a couple of the tracks and 'Yes I Love Her' sports one of those irritating country twangs that sounds like a Commander Cody rip-off (guess they actually pre-date the Commander.).

"Beretmusic" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) On the Road   (John Alvarez) - 4:17

2.) Bye Bye Blackbird   (R. Henderson - M. Dixon) - 5:00

3.) My Woman   (John Alvarez) -3:10

4.) Back Roads of My Mind   (John Alvarez) -2:46

5.) Yes I Love Her   (John Alvarez) -2:46

(side 2)
1.) Woodtock   (Joni Mitchell) - 4:25

2.) She's Getting Older   (John Alvarez) - 2:40

3.) Can't Help Falling In Love   (G. Weiss - Hugi Peretti - Luigi Creatore) - 2:08

4.) Who'll Stop the Rain   (John Fogerty) - 2:46

5.) My Way   (J. Revaux - C. Francois - Paul Anka - G. Thibault) - 2:46