- Bonnie Bramlett -- vocals

- Delaney Bramlett -- vocals, guitar

- Sam Clayton -- (1972)

- Gordon De Witty -- (1972)

- Joe Johanson -- (1972)

- Jerry Jumondille -- (1972)

- Darrell Leonard -- (1972)

- Chuck Morgan -- (1972)

- Larry Savoir -- (1972)

- Jay York -- (1972)

- Bonnie Bramlett (solo efforts)

- Delaney Bramlett (solo efforts)

- The Shindigs

Genre: rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Motel Shot

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD 33-358

Year: 1971

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; includes original lyric insert

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4635

Price: $10.00

1971's "Motel Shot" won't appeal to everyone.  An odd selection of traditional numbers and original material, it serves as kind of a Delaney and Bonnie personal favorites collection.  Backed by one of the year's most impressive cast of friends and admirers, support comes from the likes of Duane Allman, and uncredited Joe Cocker (check out 'Talkin' About Jesus'), Gram Parsons, Leon Russell and Bobby Whitlock.  Several of the performances are pretty rough with Bonnie even rawer than normal, but that spontaneity made make tracks like 'Rock of Ages' and 'Come On In My Kitchen' all the more attractive to some folks.  The traditional tracks are certainly okay, but I'll go with the slightly more modern sounding Delaney originals.  ATCO actually enjoyed a hit when the company tapped 'Never Ending Song of Love' b/w 'Don't Deceive Me' (ATCO catalog number 45-6804) as an unexpected hit.

"Motel Shot" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Where the Soul Never Dies (traditional) - 3:25

2.) Will the Circle Be Unbroken (traditional) - 2:42

3.) Rock of Ages (traditional) - 2:15

4.) Long Road Away   (Delaney Bramlett - Carl Radle) - 3:25

5.) Faded Love   (J. Willis - B. Willis) - 4:03

6.) Talkin' About Jesus   (Delaney Bramlett) - 6:40

(side 2)
1.) Come On In My Kitchen   (Payne) - 2:43

2.) Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)   (Willis) - 3:53

3.) Never Ending Song of Love   (Delaney Bramlett) - 3:20

4.) Sing My Way Home   (Delaney Bramlett) - 4:07

5.) Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (traditional) - 5:10

6.) Lonesome and a Long Way from Home   (Delaney Bramlett - Leon Russell) - 4:00

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  D&B Together

Company: Columbia

Catalog: KC 31377

Year: 1972

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4958

Price: $9.00

Having ended their extended association with Atlantic, 1972's "D&B Together" found Delaney and Bonnie signed to Columbia.  Critics tended to be pretty mean spirited when reviewing their label debut, but at least to my ears it's actually a nice late-inning commercial recovery.  Perhaps because they were trying to underscore their sales potential the pair sound surprisingly enthusiastic and focused throughout.  An all star cast of friends and supporters including Duane Allman, Eddie Kendricks and Bobby Womack certainly didn't hurt.  Also helpful was the fact Bonnie's histrionics were largely kept in check.  With the exception of the Gospel-ish number 'Wade In the River Jordan', 'Big Change Comin'' and '' (I'm always amazed to remember that she co-wrote the song with Leon Russell) she was seldom given a chance to shift into vocal overdrive.  That put the focus on Delaney who actually had the better voice and turned in a number of top notch performances.  Exemplifying the best aspects of their soul/rock hybrid, highlights included 'Well, Well', 'Comin' Home' (the latter featuring a blazing performance from Greg Allman) and 'A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)'.  From a marketing standpoint the set was also interesting in that it included a pair of singles that had been earlier hits while the pair were still on ATCO:

- ''Only You Know and I Know b/w 'God Knows I Love You' (ATCO catalog number 45-6838)

- 'Move 'em Out' b/w 'Sing My Way Home' (ATCO catalog number 45-6866)

Propelled in large part by the success of those earlier singles the parent album eventually hit # 133.  Ironically in the wake of their renewed success it all came to an end.  Shortly after the album was released the two filed for divorce going on to modest solo careers.

"D&B Together" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Only You Know and I Know   (Dave Mason) - 3:24

2.) Wade In the River Jordan   (Delaney Bramlett) - 2:06

3.) Sound of the City   (Delaney Bramlett - Joe Hicks) - 2:37

4.) Well, Well   (Delaney Bramlett) - 2:40

5.) I Know How It Feels To Be Lonely   (Bonnie Bramlett - L. Weir) - 3:47

6.) Comin' Home   (Bonnie Bramlett - Eric Clapton) - 3:13

(side 2)
1.) Move 'em Out   (Steve Cropper - Bettye Crutcher) - 2:47

2.) Big Change Comin'   (Delaney Bramlett) - 3:19

3.) A Good Thing (I'm On Fire)   (Delaney Bramlett - Gordon De Witty) - 2:14

4.) Groupie (Superstar)   (Bonnie Bramlett - Leon Russell) - 2:48

5.) I Know Something Good About You   (Delaney Bramlett - Joe Hicks) - 4:10

6.) Country Life   (Delaney Bramlett - Bobby Whitlock) - 3:38