Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Dino Valente
Company: Epic
Catalog: BN-26335
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor ring wear
Available: 1
Price: $75.00
At least to us, Chester Powers (aka Dino Valente, aka Jesse Oris Farrow) is one of rock's more intriguing minor mysteries. He enjoyed considerable success as both a writer and as a member of the criminally overlooked Quicksilver Messenger Service. He also seems to have cultivated an image as one of rock's bigger assholes.
Born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, Valente started his musical career as a Greenwich Village folkie. having out with the likes of Richie Havens, he became a frequent performer at clubs such as Cafe Wha?, Cafe Rafio and The Cock 'n' Bull (later known as The Bitter End). 1964 saw him record a series of demos for the California-based Autumn Records. He eventually signed with Jac Holzman's Elektra Records, where he cut a number of tracks, including the instantly obscure single "Birdses" b/w "Don't Let It Down" (Elektra catalog number 45012).
1967 saw Valente enjoy his first major taste of commercial success via Jesse Colin Young and The Youngbloods cover of his classic "Come Together" (he'd written and actually recorded the song back in 1964). Relocating to San Francisco (wasn't everyone?), Valente tried his solo folkie act on the city's club circuit. While his solo act did little, it brought him into contact with fellow singer/songwriter David Frieberg. More than willing to cater to popular tastes, the two decided to form a band, the result being Quicksilver Messenger Service. Unfortunately, in quick succession Valente was twice arrested on drug charges. Handed an 18 month jail sentence, he sat idly by while Quicksilver went into the studio to record their debut album with Jim Murray stepping in as a replacement. At least Quicksilver kept Valente in mind, recording "Dino's Song" on their debut.
Released from prison after serving his jail term, 1968 saw Valente abandon Quicksilver in favor of a solo contract with Epic Records. Valente's cleverly titled debut "Dino Valente" teamed him with producer Bob Johnston. In practical terms, the LP's one of those hit-or-miss affairs. With a voice that's best described as scratchy and limited in terms of range and power (others have called him whiny), Valente is what you'd call an acquired taste. That may also explain why the album literally drips with reverb. Musically the album's a largely acoustic affair. Tracks such as "Time", "New Wind Blowing" and his cover of John Phillips' "Me and My Uncle" showcase Valente accompanying by his 12 string guitar and are best described as folk-cum-psychedelic. Unfortunately, anyone looking for Quicksilver-styled West Coast rock is likely to be disappointed by Valente's rambling and frequently atonal melodies (much of the album having a similar sound). His lyrics proved equally meandering, the jazzy "Something New" and "Children of the Sun" sounding like they were spur of the moment efforts. As you've probably figured out, with the exception of the heavily orchestrated "Tomorrow", nothing here was particularly commercial, though the album's slurred, slightly stoned vibe makes for an oddly fascinating timepiece.
"Dino Valente" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Time (Dino Valente) - 3:02
2.) Something New (Dino Valente) - 7:20
3.) My Friend (Dino Valente) - 5:47
4.) Listen To Me (Dino Valente) - 3:09
5.) Me And My Uncle (John Phillips) - 3:57
(side 2)
1.) Tomorrow (Dino Valente) - 4:04
2.) Children Of The Sun (Dino Valente) - 6:57
3.) New Wind Blowing (Dino Valente) - 6:09
4.) Everything Is Gonna Be OK (Dino Valente) - 2:48
5.) Test (Dino Valente) - 3:07
With the album proving a commercial disappointment, Valente formed the short-lived Outlaws with former Quicksilver guitarist Gary Duncan. By the time 1970's "Fresh Air" was released, he was back in the Quicksilver line up (though for legal and contractual reasons his musical contributions were credited to Jesse Oris Farrow).
Only 57, Valente died in November 1994.