Genre: rock
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Chuck Trois & the National Band
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-4201
Year: 1969
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: white label, promo copy; small promo sticker on back cover; original inner sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed
Price: $50.00
Singer/guitarist Chuck Trois is probably best known for his work with Philadelphia's The Soul Searchers (see separate entry).
1969's self-produced "Chuck Trois & the National Band" represents a post-Soul Searchers outing, and is modestly interesting in that it finds Trois moving away from blue-eyed soul towards something best described as David Clayton-Thomas and Blood, Sweat and Tears meet light psych. The first side is devoted to a series of three covers; two extended Traffic covers which don't exactly benefit from the addition of horn charts, or from Trois vocal theatrics. The third effort, a Katz-Kasenetz cover is marginally more impressive. On contrast, the flip side featured a series of five Trois originals. What you think of these tracks is likely to depend on your feelings about horn rock. If you don't mind BS&T-styled rock, then you'll probably be okay with material such as "Cheers To You" and "Gypsy War". Otherwise, well you might want to pass on this LP.
"Chuck Trois & the National Band" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) 40,000 Headmen (Steve Winwood - Jim Capaldi) - 6:19
2.) Heartless Hurdy Gurdy (Jeff Katz - Jerry Kasenetz) - 4:30
3.) Dear Mr. Fantasy (Jim Capaldi - Steve Winwood - Chris Wood) - 6:09
(side 2)
1.) Cheers To You (Chuck Trois) - 2:54
2.) What Might Have Been (Chuck Trois) - 3:44
3.) Gypsy War (Chuck Trois) - 3:35
4.) Anyone That You Want (Chuck Trois) - 2:44
5.) Free Thing (Chuck Trois) - 2:51