Genre: rock
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Archetypes
Company: MGM
Catalog: 95726
Year: 1974
Country/State: New York, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: cut lower left corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4687
Price: $10.00
Cost: $66.00
MGM's sudden interest in The Blues Project is probably a reflection of the success the band garnered via their 1973's comeback "Live In Central Park". It's rather doubtful that MGM would have bothered with this 1974 set had the comeback flopped.
1974's "Archetypes" is a haphazard odds and ends compilation pulled from the band's mid-1960s Verve/Forecast catalog (which had fallen under MGM control by the mid-1970s). A mix of studio and live concert numbers, there are a couple of interesting items to be found here. The Kooper-penned 'The Flute Thing' is probably the closest the group came to a true top-40 hit, while their adaption of Blind Willie Johnson's 'I Can't Keep from Crying' (complete with Kooper moog freakout section) beats the crap out of most white boy blues covers (what's with the way the tambourine was miked on this track ...). Elsewhere their non-LP stab at mid-1960s psychedelia 'No Time Like the Right Time' and the catchy 'Cheryl's Going Home' are probably the two best offerings. Nothing here is what you'd consider to be a 'must own', but it's a mildly entertaining package for anyone who's at least mildly curious about these guys.
"Archetypes" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I Want To Be Your Driver
2.) Steve's Song
3.) Wake Me, Shake Me
(side
2)
1.) I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes
2.) Cheryl's Going Home
3.) The Flute Thing (instrumental)
4.) Violets of Dawn
5.) No Time Like the Right Time