Preston, Don

Band members               Related acts

- Bud Deal - sax (1981)
- Barry Frost - bass (1981)
- John Hobbs - keyboards (1981)
- Dave Johnson - bass (1981)
- Don Preston - vocals, guitar, dobro
- Jerry Zarimba - guitar (1981)
  

 

- Bobby and the Midnights (Bobby Cochrane)
- Stillrock (Don Preston) 

 

 

 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Hot Air Through a Straw

Company: A&M

Catalog: SP-4174

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: --

Available: --

Price: SOLD

 

 Ever bought an album 'cause the name looked familiar? Well that was the case when we stumbled across a copy of Don Preston's "Bluse". Preston's name was familiar to us, though we couldn't recall where. Unfortunately, the seller didn't have a clue who Preston was, and couldn't tell us much about the LP other than it was bluesy and he didn't like it ... Well for 50 cents you can always take a chance ... Anyhow, turns out we were originally thinking of the Don Preston who was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention - totally different guy !!!

This Don Preston's been an in-demand studio guitarist since the mid-'50s. His guitar has supported an amazing group of musicians, including doowop acts such as The Coasters and The Penguins, teen idols such as Rick Nelson and Gene Vincent and rockers such as Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. By the early-'60s Preston had abandoned his native Oklahoma for Southern California, where he hooked up with Chuck Blackwell and Delaney Bramlett in The Shindogs, which led to a partnership with Leon Russell and opportunities to record and tour with the likes of Bonnie and Delaney, Joe Cocker's mad Dogs and Englishmen, Freddie King and George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. 

Having survived Cocker's infamous Joe Cocker's Greatest Show On Earth touring schedule, Preston was rewarded with a solo contract on A&M. Released in 1969, "Hot Air Through a Straw" was credited to Don Preston and the South People (guitarist Bobby Cochran, bassist Casey Van Beek, drummer Bob Young). Produced by Gordon Shyrock, the collection served to shift the spotlight to a deserving Preston. In addition to being an excellent guitarist (his spidery sound is instantly recognizable), he proved to be a talented songwriter (writing, or co-writing 13 of 14 tracks) and proved an impressive singer. Elsewhere, Colours members Chuck Blackwell and Carl Radle appeared on several tracks.

"Hot Air Through a Straw" track listing:
1.) American Gothic (Don Preston) - 2:01 
2.) Here's to You Baby (Don Preston) - 2:40 
3.) Daybreaks (Don Preston) - 2:46 
4.) Sunshine Line (Don Preston) - 2:17 
5.) You Won't Let Me Be (Joey Cooper - Don Preston) - 2:11 
6.) She Feels Like Sunshine (Don Preston) - 1:55 
7.) End of the Play (Don Preston) - 2:15 
8.) Blues Break (Don Preston) - :33 
9.) Circle for a Landing (Don Preston) - 2:27 
10.) Love Season (Don Preston) - 2:08 
11.) Medley: Nite of the Fool/Sweetest Girl (Don Preston) - 4:11 
12.) Got Me in the Middle (Joey Cooper - West) - 2:20 
13.) He's Waiting Now (Don Preston) - 1:52 
14.) Spend My Time (Don Preston) - 2:20 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Bluse

Company: A&M

Catalog: SP 4155

Year: 1970

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: promo copy; sticker on front, minor corner wear

Available: 1

Price: $25.00

 

 1970's "Bluse" was a true solo effort. Again produced by Shyrock (Don Nix handling a couple of tracks), the set won't exactly set your musical world on fire. At the same time, Preston remained one amazing guitarist (check out his stinging leads on "Morning Rain" and "Something You've Got") and a surprisingly accomplished singer. Anyone hearing "Looking for My Baby" had to wonder how a young white guy could sound like such an aged and authentic bluesman? Musically the album offered up a pleasant mixture of blues originals and covers ("It's Only a Tear" and "Farther Up the Road") and popular soul covers ("Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)"). Elsewhere, what makes it interesting to us is that it sounds like something recorded during the same sessions as Bonnie and Delaney's "Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour with Eric Clapton and Friend". All those guitar parts we thought were Clapton - apparently not ...

"Bluse" track listing:
1.) Baby It's You (Don Preston) - 2:00
2.) Standing In My Tears (Don Preston) - 3:22
3.) You Don't Know What You Got (Don Nix) - 2:05
4.) Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do) (Wilson Pickett - Steve Cropper - Eddie Floyd) - 3:18
5.) Morning Rain (Don Preston - Don Nix) - 2:55
6.) Looking for My Baby (Don Preston) - 2:46
7.) Something You've Got (Bill Medley) - 4:07
8.) Farther Up the Road (Robie - Veasy) - 2:41
9.) It's Only a Tear (Don Preston) - 3:57

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  I've Been Here All Along

Company: Shelter

Catalog: SR-2114

Year: 1974

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: --

Price: SOLD

 

 After a brief stint with the band Stillrock (see separate entry), Preston returned to studio work. In 1974 his longstanding association with Russell paid off again. With Russell having recently started Shelter Records, Preston became one of the first acts signed to the new label. Released in 1974, "I've Been Here All Along" teamed Preston with an impressive collection of studio friends, including drummers Kim Keltner and Jamie Oldaker and bassists Carl Radle. Like the earlier set, the set instantly recalled Eric Clapton's early-'70s output - the comparison probably bolstered by the fact some of the recordign sessions took place in England.

"I've Been Here All the Time" track listing:



In 1981 Preston reappeared on the small Rag Baby label with "Sacre Blues". A mix of country and rockabilly influences, 

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