Genre: rock
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title: Bull Angus
Company: Mercury
Catalog: SMR-1-649
Year: 1971
Country/State: Poughkeepsie, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve; small cut out hole top left corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5752
Price: $25.00
I'm not sure how to best describe this short-lived Poughkeepsie, New York-based outfit. With a line-up featuring drummer Geno Charles, twin lead guitarists Larry LaFalce and Dino Paolillo, keyboardist Ron Piccolo, lead singer Frankie Previte, and bassist Lenny Venditti they've always struck me as falling somewhere in the hard rock spectrum between an American version of Uriah Heep (also signed to Mercury at the time) and perhaps a less oppressive version of Deep Purple. I know those comparisons are going to send a bunch of folks scurrying for the next review, but the results were actually surprisingly impressing and enjoyable.
LP inner sleeve photo
They apparently came together in the late-1960s with most of the members having paid their dues in various Hudson Valley, New York outfits such as The Oxford Watchband (Previte), The Pyramid (LaFalce and Venditti), and The Revells (Piccolo). The name came from a farm they rented as a rehearsal site in Rhinebeck, New York which was surrounded by nearby Angus farms. Club dates and extensive local touring caught the attention of Mercury which signed them resulting in the release of 1971's cleverly titled "Bull Angus". Produced by Vinny Testa, the album featured a first-rate set of all-original hard rock. Largely written by the team of Previte, LaFalce, and Paolillo, nothing here was particularly original, or groundbreaking, but by the same token all ten tracks were uniformly strong and enjoyable. Previte had the perfect voice for the genre; capable of effortlessly shifting gears from metal growl, to higher register squeals in an instant. Also deserving credit were twin lead guitarists LaFalce and Paolillo. Speaking of which the liner notes included the following helpful information: "stereo notes: Larry's the guitar on the left, Dino's on the right".
- Opening up with 'Run Don't Stop' the album started with a blazing rocker that had all; pounding rhythm, killer melody, crushing guitars, and a nice vocal from Previte.
- Kicked along by Piccolo's organ, and Previte's snarling vocals, 'Mother's Favorite Lover (Margaret)' always reminded me of Deep Purple - okay Previte's jazzy recorder solo wasn't a Deep Purple-ish trait. Great subject matter to boot; a mom with lesbian tendencies.
- The subject matter's always been a mystery to me (though kind of ominous), but 'Uncle Duggie's Fun Bus Ride' sported a catchy melody, some killer lead guitar, and showcased the band's killer harmony vocals. Very nice.
- In marked contrast to the rest of the album, 'A Time Like Ours' found the band pursuing a distinctive progressive direction. Mind you, propelled by some nifty twin lead guitar from LaFalce and Paolillo, it wasn't pompous ELP-styled prog, rather stood as one of the unexpected album highlights. The song was also interesting for showcasing the band's unexpectedly tight harmony vocals.
- For some reason I've associated 'Miss Casey' with Spinal Tap. I'm assuming that the song wasn't meant to be humorous, but within the confines of this 7 and a half minute song the band somehow managed to cobble together all the elements that are now associated with hard rock song - screaming lead vocals, dumber-than-dirt, hyper sexist lyrics ("you're my morning do"), cart wailing organ, blazing twin lead guitars, Cro-Magnon bass, and multiple time changes. And I love it ...
- Penned by LaFalce, 'Pot of Gold' was the most mainstream and commercial track. With a strong melody, a great lead guitar pattern, and some wonderful harmony vocals, this one would have made a dandy FM hit.
- Coming as a totally unexpected surprise, the acoustic ballad 'Cy' showcased the band's 'sensitive' side. Beautiful song with fantastic acoustic guitars and it even included a but of scatting. Damn, wish I could play something half as good ...
- Time to get heavy ... 'No Cream for the Maid' (hysterical title), found the band shifting their standard metal moves to incorporate some progressive moves. Such hybrids usually fall flat on their faces, but these guys were talented enough to pull it off resulting in one of the album's best tracks.
Elsewhere Mercury tapped the album for a single in the form of:
- 1971's 'Run Don't Stop' b/w 'Uncle Duggie's Fun Bus Ride' (Mercury catalog number 73265)
As mentioned before, a really good and grossly overlooked early-1970s hard rock effort that truly sounded better when you cranked up the volume. Well worth owning, particularly since you can still score it on the cheap. Also, Dan Clyne's cover art was neat.
"Bull
Angus" track listing:
(side 1)
1.)
Run Don't Stop (Frankie Previte - Larry La Falce - Dino
Paolillo) - 4:23
2.) Mother's Favorite Lover (Margaret)
(Frankie Previte - Larry La Falce - Dino Paolillo) - 3:43
3.) Uncle Duggie's Fun Bus Ride
(Frankie Previte - Larry La Falce - Dino Paolillo) - 4:27
4.) A Time Like Ours (Frankie
Previte - Larry La Falce - Dino Paolillo) - 6:24
(side
2)
1.) Miss Casey (Frankie
Previte - Lenny Venditti - Larry La Falce - Dino Paolillo) - 7:28
2.) Pot of Gold (Larry La Falce) -3:51
3.)
Cy (Frankie Previte - Dino Paolillo) - 5:30
4.) No Cream for the Maid
(Frankie Previte - Lenny Venditti - Larry La Falce - Dino Paolillo) - 6:43