Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: The Bonniwell Music Machine
Company: Warner Brothers
Catalog: WS 1732
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor ring wear; original inner sleeve; stereo pressing
Available: 1
Price: $90.00
With The Music Machine having enjoyed surprising success with their debut album (see separate entry), it was only naturally the band would regroup for a follow on. Unfortunately, shortly after starting recording sessions for their second album, Sean Bonniwell and company called it quits.
More than willing to capitalize on the band's initial successes, Warner Brothers moved to salvage what it could from their aborted Muscle Shoals follow-on sessions. Surprisingly, given it's hodge-podge origins, 1969's
"The Bonniwell Music Machine" proved quite impressive. Produced by Brian Ross, the collection consisted of a mixture of outtakes from the Music Machine debut ("The Day Today"), a couple of earlier singles and a handful of new material. Exemplified by tracks such as "Astrologically Incompatible", "Double Yellow Line" and "Absolutely Positive" much of the album found Bonniwell and company pursuing a more psychedelic orientation (be sure to check out the blue-eyed soul meltdown rocker "Soul Love"). Complete with weird lyrics and walls of fuzz guitar, the backings proved well suited for Bonniwell's rugged voice. Among the few missteps, some overbearing horn arrangements, and a needlessly sappy and out of place ballad "The Day Today" (what was with the introspective mid-song narrative?). Always loved the cool cover photo ...
"The Bonniwell Music Machine" track listing:
1.) Astrologically Incompatible (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:31
2.) Double Yellow Line (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:08
3.) The Day Today (Sean Bonniwell - Keith Olsen) - 2:50
4.) Absolutely Positive (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:11
5.) Somethin Hurtin On Me (Sean Bonniwell) - 3:00
6.) The Trap (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:28
7.) Soul Love (Sean Bonniwell) - 3:31
8.) Bottom of the Soul (Sean Bonniwell) - 1:56
9.) Talk Me Down (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:47
10.) The Eagle Never Hunts the Fly (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:45
11.) I've Love You (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:47
12.) Affirmative No (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:06
13.) Discrepancy (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:39
14.) Me, Myself, and I (Sean Bonniwell) - 2:02