- Peter Batey - bass, percussion (1971)
- Barry Beckett - keyboards (1972)
- Kenny Buttrey - drums, percussion (1975)
- Harrison Calloway - trumpet (1972)
- Pete Carr - lead guitar (1972)
- Bob Cohen - guitar (1975)
- Ronnie Eades - sax (1972)
- Morgan Fisher - keyboards (1975)
- Luther Grosvenor - guitar (1972)
- Mike Harrison - vocals, harmonica
- Ian Herbert - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1971)
- Roger Hawkins - bass (1972)
- David Hood - bass (1972)
- Kevin Iverson - drums (1971)
- Clayton Ivey - keyboards (1972)
- Jimmy Johnson - guitar (1972)
- Mickey Jones - guitar (1975)
- Frank Kenyon - guitar, vocals (1971)
- Norbert Putnam - bass (1975)
- Charles Rose - trombone (1972)
- Mike Stacey - trumpet (1972)

- Art
- Spooky Tooth
- V.I.P.s 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Smokestack Lightening

Company: Island

Catalog: SW 9321

Year: 1974

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog number: not listed yet

Price: $10.00

Best known as one of the founding members of The V.I.P.s and Spooky Tooth (see separate entries), following the release of 1971's "The Last Puff" and the breakup of Spooky Tooth, vocalist/guitarist Mike Harrison set off in pursuit of a solo career. 

Recorded at Muscle Shoals Studios, 1972's "Smokestack Lightning" was co-produced by Harrison and Chris Blackwell. While it wasn't perfect, his sophomore release was far stronger than the debut. On the downside Harrison remained a singer of limited capabilities (an expansive vocal range wasn't one of his strengths). Moreover, on tracks such as "Paid My Dues" Harry Robinson's extensive string arrangements all but drown Harrison's lower register vocals. Those criticisms aside, backing from Spooky Tooth alumnus Luther Grosvenor (who turned in a couple of tasty guitar solos - check out "I Wanna Be Free") and the cream of Muscle Shoals studio players (Barry Beckett, Clayton Ivey, Roger Hawkins, etc.) certainly helped salvage material such as "Tears Behind My Eyes" and the self-penned "Turn It Over". Harrison also proved fairly deft working with the blues - "What a Price" and the title track (though clocking it at over 12 minutes, it was six minutes too long), were both impressive, sounding like something off one of the early Spooky Tooth LPs. To our ears it's probably the best of his three solo releases. Unfortunately, with sales proving non-existent, the following year Harrison and Gary Wright (to that point equally unsuccessful with his solo career) reformed Spooky Tooth. 

"Smokestack Lightning" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Tears Behind My Eyes (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:13
2.) Paid My Dues (Jimmy Stevens) - 4:20
3.) What a Price (Domino - Maddux - Jussup) - 5:51
4.) I Wanna Be Free (Joe Tex) - 4:12

(side 1)

1.) Turn It Over (Mike Harrison - Luther Grosvenor) - 6:30
2.) Smokestack Lightening (C. Burnett) - 12:29

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Rainbow Rider

Company: Island

Catalog: SW 9321

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog number: not yet listed

Price: $10.00

The reunited Spooky Tooth struggled on through two albums; 1973's "Witness" and the forgettable "The Mirror". Following it's collapse Harrison promptly resumed his solo career with the release of 1975's "Rainbow Rider". Produced by Chris Kimsey, the set found Harrison recording in Nashville with a mix of American and English musicians. Musically the set wasn't a major change from earlier efforts. Harrison's voice remained instantly recognizable; tracks such as "Maverick Woman Blues", "You and Me" and "I'll Keep It with Mine" offering an enjoyable set of R&B flavored rock. Highlights included a weird cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and his collaboration with buddy Grosvenor "Okay Lay Lady Lay"; the latter redeemed by some nifty vocoder work. Dock it half a star for the lame Beatles cover ("We Can Work It Out") and the appalling cover photo - demerits for the big hair and bad belt ! Nope, it didn't sell squat ... 

"Rainbow Rider" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Maverick Woman Blues (Don Nix) - 
2.) You and Me (Troy Seals - Will Jennings) - 
3.) I'll Keep It with Mine (Bob Dylan) - 
4.) Like a Road (Leading Home) (Don Nix - Don Penn) - 
5.) We Can Work It Out (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 

(side 1)

1.) Okay Lay Lady Lay (Mike Harrison - Luther Grosvenor) - 
2.) Easy (Aitkin - Brown - Mike Harrison) - 
3.) Somewhere Over the Rainbow (E.W. Harburg - Harold Arlen) - 
4.) Friend (Arthur Belcher - Mike Harrison) -