Genre: country-rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Cherokee
Company: ABC
Catalog: ABCS-719
Year: 1971
Country/State: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5733
Price: $15.00
Signed by Mercury, siblings Craig, David (aka Dee), George (aka Joe), and Robert (aka Bruce) Donaldson enjoyed a bit of mid-1960s sales success with a string of catchy pop singles and a surprisingly enjoyable LP.
By the early-1970s brother Craig had dropped out (replaced by drummer Craig Krampf) while the other three decided to shift their earlier pop orientation towards a more happenin' country-rock sound via the band Cherokee (be sure to check out the time-piece ensembles they're wearing).
Signed by ABC, their label debut "Cherokee' teamed the quartet with producer Steve Barri. Showcasing a mix of covers and original material (mostly penned by David), if you were a fan of their Robbs incarnation there was a good chance these eleven country-rock numbers wouldn't do a great deal for you. On the other hand, if you were into The Byrds, Poco, or any number of early-1970s country-rock outfits you'd probably find this one at least somewhat engaging.
- 'Rosianna' opened up the collection with a chugging country-rocker that would have sounded right at home in Flying Burrito Brothers/Poco catalogs. Not really bad, but a little too formulaic for my tastes - good song to use playing country rock bingo ...
- Dee Donaldson had a nifty voice and adding a bit of rawness to the mix, he used it effectively on the ballad 'Something To Believe In'. Pretty song that certainly had commercial potential.
- An atypical rocker that was actually a bit funky, 'Funky Business' was also one of the stronger tunes on the album. One of two tracks to showcases brother Joe on lead vocals.
- Sporting one of the album's prettier melodies and showcasing the brothers' great harmony vocals, Lady On My Mind' actually sounded like a late-inning Roger McGuinn and the Byrds outtake. Since I'm a big Byrds fan, I liked this one quite a bit.
- Echoing Poco at their most commercial 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' was probably the prettiest song on the collection.
- Propelled by a nice fuzz solo from George, 'Strange Ways' was another rocker that aptly demonstrated the band could hold their own in the genre. Surprisingly suggestive lyrics that would have sounded good on early-1970s FM radio.
- Side two opened up with the most out-and-out commercial track; 'All the Way Home'. The horns may have been a little off putting for some, but the track had a great melody and top-40 potential.
- With backing from pedal steel guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow 'Changin' Winds' found the band returning to Poco-styled country-rock territory. Pretty, but nothing spectacular.
- A conventional country number, 'Chattanooga' was an acquired taste that I simply didn't have.
- Judging by 'Feel Us Love' though he only handled lead on a couple of tracks, Joe may have been a better singer than brother Dee.
- For some reason 'Catchy the Velvet Evening' has always reminded me of The Eagles. Another country-rocker, the difference on this one comes in the form of the group chorus harmonies which were a dead ringer for what Don Henley and company would be doing in about a year. My favorite of the country-rock offerings.
Not as groundbreaking as some of the competition, but this is one that's grown on me over the years and I now actually prefer it to much of the Poco catalog. Added bonus is that you can still fund affordable copies.
ABC also tapped the album for a pair of singles:
- 1970's 'Rosianna' b/w 'All The Way Home' (ABC catalog number ABC-11295)
- 1971's 'All The Way Home' b/w 'Girl, I've Got News For You' (ABC catalog number ABC-11304)
Wonder if they knew about the Japanese release picture sleeve 45?
- 'It Doesn't Matter Anymore' b/w 'Something To Believe In' (Probe catalog number IPR-10065)
"Cherokee" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Rosianna (T Cashman - Gene Pistilli - T.P. West) - 2:30
2.) Something To Believe In (E. Reeves) - 3:55
3.) Funky Business (Joe Donaldson - Craig Krampf) - 2:38
4.) Lady On My Mind (J. Cooper - J. Gallie) - 2:26
5.) It Doesn't Matter Anymore (Paul Anka) - 2:42
6.) Strange Ways (David Donaldson) - 3:20
(side
2)
1.) All the Way Home (David Donaldson) - 2:41
2.) Changin' Winds (David Donaldson) - 3:00
3.) Chattanooga (David Donaldson) - 2:31
4.) Feel Us Love (Joe Donaldson - Craig Krampf) - 2:46
5.) Catchy the Velvet Evening (David Donaldson) - 3:30
As far as I know the album and two singles mark the entire Cherokee catalog. Let me know if there's more.