Genre: pop
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: In Dedication To the Ones We Love
Company: Astro Sonic
Catalog: D-AP-4000
Year: 1968
Country/State: unknown
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: small cut out hole to right corner; heavy sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4235
Price: $150.00
Cost: $53.15
To be honest, this one caught our attention at a yard sale solely to the fact we recalled seeing a picture of the cover in one of Hans Pokora's books.
As an aside, we often play a little game where before listening to an album we rate it on a scale of zero to five stars. This one started out with two stars, but ended up with three.
That said, there's precious little biographical information to be found on this outfit. At least a couple of references indicate these guys were from Nashville (probably based on the fact it was distributed by a Nashville-based label), but to us that's doubtful given their sound (and the Italian surnames). The line up consisted of namesake drummer Joe Rosovano, singer/guitarist Bart Fiori, bassist Mark Torpey and keyboardist Don Vitalle (the last three presumably constituting 'The Vintage').
Given that it was distributed by Starday Records (known as a pay and press label), their sole release, 1968's "In Dedication of Those We Love" appears to have been a vanity project. Co-produced by Bob Marsano, Ron Lenhoff and Michael Stone, the album features 11 original tracks. Largely penned by Fiori and Rosanova, the results are certainly diverse. The opener leaves you with the impression this is going to be a Christian rock outing. Thankfully that's a red herring with most of the album bouncing between accomplished pop ("Vicki" and "Now That I've Lost You"), more rock-oriented numbers ("Mother's Brother's") and an odd nod at psych (the killer "Dreams of You" is alone worth the admission price). As lead singer Fiori was quite good, particularly when he toughened up his delivery ("In Every Way"), where his growl recalled Rare Earth's singer (Pete Rivera?). To be honest, had the set been a little more focused with a couple more psych and rock numbers, this'd be a major and super high priced find.
"In Dedication To the Ones We Love" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Lord What's Your Plan (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 2:15
2.) Vicki (Joe Rosanova) - 2:35
3.) Now That I've Lost You (Bart Fiori) - 3:25
4.) Somehow, Someway, Someday (Bart Fiori) - 3:13
5.) In Every Way (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 3:40
(side 2)
1.) Dreams of You (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 3:55
2.) Since You've Been Away (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 2:15
3.) Mother's Brother's (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 2:45
4.) Promise Her Anything But Love (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 3:16
5.) Blue Is My World (Joe Rosanova) - 3:25
6.) In Dedication
To the One's We Love (Joe Rosanova - Bart Fiori) - 2:45
While looking for a jog image of the LP, I stumbled on this little item from a former Vineyard bass player (I'll leave the person's name off of the quote):
"Joe Rosanova - that dirtbag - still owes me one year's withholding tax which he withheld - PERMANENTLY. He was a real trip. He had polio as a child and it left him somewhat crippled although you really couldn't tell. He was the band leader and also the drummer. When he would have a bad day and his legs hurt he would yell furiously at the bass player - blaming him (me at that time) for the "feel" not being there ( I've got his feel - right hear!!!!) It was driving me nuts. And then there was his gun..."