Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Grootna
Company: Columbia
Catalog: C 31033
Year: 1971
Country/State: Berkley, California
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4339
Price: $40.00
Cost: $66.00
This one caught my eye due to the colorful cover and the fact the producer was none other than The Jefferson Airplane/Starship's Marty Balin.
That said, here's another one I can't say I know much about. The line-up consisted of bassist Kelly Bryan, rhythm guitarist Slim Chance (aka Austin De Leon), former Country Joe and the Fish/Mad River drummer Greg Dewey (aka Dewey DeGrease), singer Anna Rizzo, lead guitarist Vic Smith and keyboard player Richard Sussman (who had previously played with Elephant's Memory). The group came together in 1971, cutting their chops on Berkley, California's thriving music scene.
With help from supporter Balin, the group caught the attention of Columbia Records, which signed them to a recording contract in 1971. Produced by Balin, 1971's cleverly titled "Grootna" featured a surprisingly impressive set of West Coast-styled rock. The band sported three capable lead singers in DeGrease, Rizzo and Smith. Rizzo's bluesy voice was probably the best of the lot, though on material such as 'Going To Canada' and 'Waitin' for My Ship' she bore a passing resemblance to Janis Joplin. Exemplified by tracks such as the lead off rocker 'I'm Funky' the set was full of enthusiastic performances. Special notice to Smith who turned in a couple of nice leads on 'That's What You Get' and 'Customs (In It All Over)'. Sure, the set wasn't perfect. 'Young Woman's Blues' and 'Road Fever' were pedestrian blues and boogie numbers, but the overall package was quite impressive. In case anyone cares, Columbia pulled a pair of instantly obscure singles from the LP:
- 1971's 'Full
Time Woman' b/w 'Is It All Over' (Columbia catalog number 4-45461)
- 1972's 'Waitin' For My Ship' b/w 'That's What You Get' (Columbia catalog
number 4-45538)
With the album and both singles tanking Columbia rapidly lost interest in the band and by mid-1972 they were history.
"Grootna" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I'm Funky (O'Hara - Silverman) - 5:27
2.) Road Fever (Greg Dewey - Vic Smith) - 5:18
3.) Going To Canada (Austin De Leon - Silverman - Henry) - 4:17
4.) Waitin' for My Ship (Silverman - Austin De Leon) - 5:06
(side
2)
1.) That's What You Get (Silverman - Anna Rizzo - Vic Smith) -
4:26
2.) Full Time Woman (A. Stuart) - 4:28
3.) Young Woman's Blues (B. Smith) - 3:35
4.) Customs (In It All Over) (B. Neuwirth) - 3:45
5.) Your Grandmother Loves You / I She It (Silverman - Austin De Leon / Austin De Leon - Henry) - 5:40