- Tim Renwick -- guitar, backing vocals (1972-)
- Gavin Sutherland -- vocals, guitar, percussion (1972-)
- Iain Sutherland -- vocals, keyboards, guitar (1972-)
- Bruce Thomas -- bass (1972-)
- Peter Wood -- keyboards (1972-)
- Willie Wilson -- drums, percussion (1972-)
 

- Gavin Sutherland (solo efforts)

- Iain Sutherland (solo efforts)
- The Sutherland Brothers Band (Gavin & Iain Sutherland) 
- Quiver (Tim Renwick, Bruce Thomas and Willie Wilson)
- Peter Wood (solo efforts)   

Genre: pop

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Reach for the Sky

Company: Columbia

Catalog: PC 33982

Year: 1975

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4830

Price: $10.00

There aren't many albums we readily keep two copies of, but this is one of those rarities. Most folks have never heard of The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver and this album didn't sell worth cr*p when released. That's unfortunate, since 1975's "Reach for the Sky" may be the best mid-'70s album you've never heard. 

Say what you will about Rod Stewart, but you have to admit the guy knew how to identify hit records. That was certainly the case when he elected to make a lame cover of Gavin's "Sailing". Even though Stewart's cover sucked, it went top-40; in the process getting this band signed by Columbia. 

Produced by Howard and Ron Albert, "Reach for the Sky" is one of those rarities; an album where every track is worth hearing. Admittedly, there isn't anything particularly innovative or groundbreaking to be found here. That said, penned by namesakes Iain and Gavin Sutherland, material such as "When the Train Comes", "Dirty City" and "Love On the Moon" found the quartet turning in an impeccable set of pop-rock. While all ten tracks were worth hearing, best of the lot were the single "Arms of Mary" (which hit #81 on the pop charts), and the the reggaefied "Dr. Dancer" (with some great lyrical and musical nods to classic rock hits). If you like great melodies, smooth group vocal harmonies ("Something Special") and cutting guitar (courtesy of Tim Renwick), this stands as an album you need to add to your collection . By the way, long time fan David Gilmour provides the pedal steel guitar on "Ain't Too Proud". (Back by strong critical reviews, the album actually managed to crash the American charts, peaking at # 195.)

"Reach for the Sky" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) When the Train Comes (Iain Sutherland) - 3:56
2.) Dirty City (Iain Sutherland) - 3:32
3.) Arms of Mary (Iain Sutherland) - 2:36
4.) Something Special (Iain Sutherland) - 4:08
5.) Love On the Moon (Gavin Sutherland) - 4:18

(side 2)
1.) Ain't Too Proud (Gavin Sutherland) - 3:20
2.) Dr. Dancer (Gavin Sutherland) - 4:48
3.) Reach for the Sky (Gavin Sutherland) - 3:16

4.) Moonlight Lady (Iain Sutherland) - 3:06
5.) Mad Trail (Iain Sutherland) - 4:06

Genre: pop

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Sailing

Company: Island

Catalog: ILPS-9358

Year: 1976

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear; UK pressing with original inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4829

Price: $10.00

I really haven't done any research on this one, but my guess is that Island Records released 1976's "Sailing" in an effort to cash-in on the band's mid-1970s UK and US chart successes following their defection to CBS/Columbia.  In terms of material this compilation pulls together a couple of early singles (' I Don't Wanna Love You (But) You Got Me Anyway' and the original 'Sailing'), coupled with eight tracks from the band's four albums for Island ("The Sutherland Brothers", "Lifeboat", "Dream Kid" and "Beat of the Street").  Nice introduction for anyone curious about what these guys sounded like.  I believe this was a UK-only release.  Anyone know?

"Sailing" track listing:

 (side 1)
1.) I Don't Wanna Love You (But) You Got Me Anyway   (Iain Sutherland)

2.) Sailing   (Gavin Sutherland) - 

3.) Beat of the Street   (Gavin Sutherland) - 

4.) Real Love   (Iain Sutherland)

5.) World In Action   (Gavin Sutherland) - 

(side 2)
1.) Dream Kind   (Iain Sutherland - Gavin Sutherland) - 

2.) Saviour In the Rain   (Iain Sutherland)

3.) Medium Wave   (Gavin Sutherland) - 

4.) The Pie   (Iain Sutherland)

5.) Laid Back In Anger   (Iain Sutherland)