Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Lovin' In the Valley of the Moon
Company: Capitol
Catalog: ST-11625
Year: 1977
Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: spine is frayed; includes original lyric inner sleeve
Available: 2
GEMM catalog ID: 4148
Price: $7.00
Cost: $1.00
We picked this LP up at a flea market due to the fact we knew that harmonica player Norton Buffalo had been a member of the Steve Miller Band. In fact Miller served as executive producer for this LP.
While most folks have probably never heard of Buffalo, unless they're deaf there almost certain to have heard his harmonica over the last 30 years. A quick look at his website shows that he's toured with dozens of acts and played on hundreds of albums, including Elvin Bishop, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins and Bonnie Raitt.
Norton didn't get serious about a musical career until the early 1970s. A partnership with future Clover/Doobie Brothers guitarist John McFee found Norton recording his first demos. Efforts to shop them around were unsuccessful, though by 1975 Buffalo had begun touring and recording with Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen. The following year he was hired to support Miller during the "Fly Like an Eagle" recording sessions. Miller promptly hired him as a full time member of his recording and touring band.
With support from Miller, Buffalo signed a recording contract with Capitol (coincidently Miller's label), resulting in the release of 1977's self-produced "Lovin' In the Valley of the Moon". Musically the album reflected a mix of Buffalo's earlier demos (largely instrumentals recorded with guitarist McFee) and new studio material. Be forewarned, if you're expecting to hear Miller-styled top-40 pop/rock, this probably isn't the LP for you. While tracks such as "Another Day" were actually quite commercial, Buffalo's musical leaning were far too eclectic for mainstream radio. That makes it difficult to accurately describe his work. Commander Cody-styled C&W, blues, reggae, etc., it's all here. While the emphasis is clearly on his sterling harmonica playing, Buffalo's also quite an accomplished singer. On material such as the reggae-influenced title track and "Nobody Wants Me" he occasionally sounded like Boz Scaggs, though with Leon Redbone musical tastes. Backed by a first rate band including longtime sidekicks/mentors McFee and The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, highlights included the funky "Ghetto Hotel" and "Rosalie".
"Lovin' In the Valley of the Moon" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Lovin' In the Valley of the Moon (Norton Buffalo - David Shapiro - John McFee) - 2:54
2.) One Kiss To Say Goodbye (Norton Buffalo) - 3:04
3.) Ghetto Hotel (Norton Buffalo) - 4:07
4.) Nobody Wants Me (Norton Buffalo) - 4:09
5.) Puerto de Azul (instrumental) (John McFee - Norton Buffalo) - -2:30
(side 2)
1.) Hangin' Tree (Norton Buffalo) - 5:22
2.) Another Day (Norton Buffalo) - 4:01
3.) Rosalie (Norton Buffalo) - 3:58
4.) The Jig Is Up (instrumental) (Norton Buffalo - John McFee) - 2:15
5.) Eighteen Wheeler (Norton Buffalo) - 3:02
6.) Sea of Key (instrumental) (John McFee) - 1:07
