Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: The Detroit-Memphis Experiment
Company: Dot
Catalog: DLP-25693
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4139
Price: $25.00
Cost: $3.00
A long-standing personal favorite, for some odd reason Mitch Ryder seems to have been largely forgotten by all but the most dedicated fans. Geez, he was even overlooked in a recent Mojo issue that focused on Detroit. That's unfortunate since the man is a true star and stands as one of Detroit's unsung musical heroes - forget the MC5, Bob Seger, etc. Ryder did it earlier and better than all of 'em!
Frustrated with his long-standing business association with Bob Crewe (check out Ryder's rather blistering liner notes), this largely forgotten 1969 set found Ryder abandoning his usual recording environment in favor of a collaboration with Stax guitarist/songwriter/producerr Steve Cropper. Produced by Cropper and backed by the cream of Stax's sessions players, "The Detroit-Memphis Experiment" is nothing short that wonderful. Ryder's seldom sounded as assured; simultaneously comfortable and even upbeat in the studio! Perhaps the biggest surprise here is how well Ryder's Detroit rock roots mesh with the Memphis soul sound. With Ryder and Cropper collaborating on a series of songs, material such as the leadoff rocker "Liberty", "Push Aroun'" and "Long Long Time" stands as some of the most commercial and catchy music in Ryder's long and stellar career. Elsewhere Ryder's Caribbean flavored cover of Procol Harum's "Boredom" stands as one of the LP's most interesting (and oddest) offerings. Personal favorites - the soulful, horn propelled "Eenie Meenie Minie Moe" (Tony Joe White should have had such good material) and "". While the album attracted positive critical reviews it did nothing commercially. Sad, since it's an LP we return to on a regular basis.
"The Detroit-Memphis Experiment" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Liberty (Steve Cropper - Mitch Ryder - Wells) - 3:32
2.) Eenie Meenie Minie Moe (We Three) - 2:54
3.) Boredom (Gary Brooker - Matthew Fisher - Keith Reid) - 3:32
4.) Push Aroun' (Steve Cropper - Mitch Ryder) - 3:52
5.) Suger Bee (We Three) - 2:39
6.) I Got Hot (Ellis) - 3:02
(side 2)
1.) I Believe (Steve Cropper - Mitch Ryder) - 3:10
2.) Direct Me (Steve Cropper - Otis Redding) - 2:41
3.) Long Long Time (Steve Cropper - Mitch Ryder) - 3:36
4.) Raise Your Hand (Steve Cropper - Eddie Floyd - Isbell) - 3:56
5.) Wear and Tear On My Heart (we Three) - 2:45
6.) Meat (We Three) - 3:00