Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Believe
Company: Vanguard
Catalog: VSD-6554
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments:
Available: 1
Price: $50.00
We're always amazed and the number of talented and largely unrecognized bands that came out of Detroit. Here's yet another one of the city's lesser known exports ...
Guitarist Drew
Abbot, drummer Jim Craig and bassist Jem Targal came together as The Third
Power in the mid-60s. The trio made their recording debut with a
one-shot 1968 single for the small local Baron label ("Snow" b/w
"Me, You and I" Baron catalog number 626). Subsequently
picked up by Vanguard Records, 1970's "Believe"
teamed the trio with producer Sam Charters (of Country Joe and the Fish
fame). With Abbott and Targal responsible for most of the material
(Craig was co-writer on one selection), the album featured a distinctive
late-60s power trio sound. Exemplified by tracks such as the lead
off rocker "Gettin' Together" and "Comin' Home", think
along the lines of Cream and you won't be too far off target. Come
to think of it, on material such as "Feel So Lonely" and
"Lost In a Daydream" Targel's voice even recalled that of
Jack Bruce. Elsewhere, Abbott's "Persecution" sounded like
Roger Daltry and the Who. To be blunt, this isn't the most original
LP you'll stumble across and ballads such as "Passed By" aren't
their strong point. On the other hand the album's never less than
engaging and Abbott turns in some wonder hard rock guitar moves
("").
"Believe" track listing:
1.) Gettin’
Together (Drew Abbott - Jem Targal) - 4:18
2.) Feel So Lonely (Jem Targal) - 4:17
3.) Passed By (Jem Targal) - 3:43
4.) Lost In A Daydream (Jem Targal) - 2:31
5.) Persecution (Drew Abbott) - 3:24
6.) Comin’ Home (Jem Targal) - 3:49
7.) Won’t Beg Any More (Drew Abbott - Jem Targal) - 4:28
8.) Crystalline Chandelier Jem Targal) - 3:41
9.) Like Me Love Me (Jim Craig - Drew Abbott - Jem Targal)
- 5:23
The mid-70s found Abbott joining Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, while Targal's enjoyed minor success as a solo act (see separate entry).
The LP's been booted. In 1998 Akaram released a legitimate reissue (catalog AK 033).