Genre: blues-rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Sweet Stavin Chain
Company: Cotillion
Catalog: SD-9021
Year: 1970
Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: name printed on cover and initials on LP label, small cut out hole lower right corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4315
Price: $18.00
Cost: $66.00
Geez, its amazing how many horn bands seemed to have been given a chance to record in the wake of Blood, Sweat and Tears late-1960s commercial breakthrough. An eight man outfit, Sweet Stavin Chain were one of Philadelphia's contributions to the wave of late-1960s/early-1970s horn-bands.
Signed by
Atlantic's newly formed Cotillion subsidiary, the band's 1970 debut "Sweet
Stavin Chain" was recorded in New York. Produced
by Shel Kagan the set's professional, but not exactly boldly original.
A mix or originals and cover material, tracks such as 'Take a Minute'
(featuring a kind of cool meltdown guitar fade out), 'I Need Love' and 'I'm
Tore Down' are more blues-oriented than BS&T, Chicago or other horn band
contemporaries. Lead guitarist Danny Starobin kicks in a couple of
nice solos (check out the stinging run on 'I Need Love'), but lead singer
John Bussell has a tendency to sing flat. It I had to pick a standout
track, then it would probably be their 11 minute plus 'cover of T-Bone
Walker's 'Stormy Monday Blues (Call It Stormy Monday'. The song also
features a sax solo from King Curtis.
"Sweet Stavin Chain" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Danny's Rock Song: Intro (Danny Starobin) - 0:36
2.) Are You Lonely For Me Baby (Bert Berns) - 4:19
3.) Take a Minute (John Bussell - Danny Starobin - Sheldon Ginsberg) - 6:45
4.) I Need
Love (Lawrence Williams) - 7:08
(side 1)
1.) I'm Tore Down (Bonny Thompson) - 3:31
2.) Stormy Monday Blues (Call It Stormy Monday) (T-Bone Walker) - 11:05
3.) Teddy Bear's Picnic (John Bratton - Jimmy Kennedy) - 3:40
4.) Danny's Rock
Song: Finale (Danny Starobin) - 0:54