Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Face the Music
Company: Decca
Catalog: DL-75353
Year: 1972
Country/State: L.A., California
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: note - the image shown above is not of the actual LP - our copy does not have a price sticker on it, nor does it have the damage sown along the spine; gatefold sleeve; small sample copy sticker on back cover; includes lyric insert
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4301
Price: $18.00
Cost: $66.00
I probably wouldn't have bought this album had I known this was a horn rock outfit ('course I could've opened up the unipack sleeve and seen concert photos that show trumpet player Michael Green and sax man Rick Kellis ...). On the other hand, I would have missed a chance to score an LP produced by the ever eccentric David Axelrod and in this case it turns out my distaste for horn rock was largely misplaced.
I know absolutely nothing about this band other than I think they were based in Los Angeles and the line up consisted of bass player California (guess he couldn't afford a last name), drummer Larry Devers, sax man Rick Kellis, keyboardist Jo Jo Molina and guitarist Don Phillips. I believe 1972's "Face the Music" is their second LP, but I'm not even sure about that. With all six members contributing material, you can categorize most of this set as a blend of top-40ish pop (the bouncy title track) and 'white boy blues-rock'. There's nothing particularly original about tracks such as 'House Rules' and 'Blues Route', but the band plays with considerable energy and unlike such competitors as BS&T, Chase, or Chicago, the horns are kept largely in-check. Mind you, I'm not telling you that this set is going to change your life, but as far as the horn rock genre goes, this is pretty good. In case anyone cares, Decca pulled 'Face the Music' b/w 'Makin' Tracks' (Decca catalog number 32972 ) as an unsuccessful single. (Needless trivia - the back panel shows the final song as 'Pushy", whereas the insert shows it as being titled 'Pushie".
"Face the Music" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Pushy (Larry Devers - Don Phillips) -
2.) House Rules (Arnold - Larry Devers - Michael Green - Rick Kellis - Jo Jo Molina - Don Philips) -
3.) Makin' Tracks (Larry Devers - Rick Kellis)
4.) Blues Route (Rick Kellis) -
(side 2)
1.) Rock 'n' Roll Express (Larry Devers - Rick Kellis) -
2.) The First Verse (Rick Kellis) -
3.) Face the Music (Rick Kellis) -
4.) (Hey You) Quit
Having So Much Fun (Larry Devers - Rick Kellis) -
Kellis went on to become an in-demand sessions player, supporting virtually
everyone imaginable. He's also recorded some jazz-oriented solo
material that I've never heard. Original drummer York apparently
became a well known wrestler with the NWA.