The Truth and Janey sound is probably captured best on this live record. Its a mix of classic rock, psychedelic guitar rock reminiscent of Hendrix, and the progressive structures of a band like Budgie. Lots of jammy parts, some of them heavier than others of course. Some of it reminds me of the same kind of deep blues rooted Cream material. Nice and heavy, but soulful and tastefully done. This Truth and Janey CD shows that some things never change ... even in almost 30 years. This masterful live recording from April 8, 1976 at the Col. Ballroom in Davenport, Iowa showcases why bands today should be paying homage to Truth and Janey. They were laying down the heavy, slugging it out on the circuit, rolling off riff after riff, tasteful extended solo after solo... doing things their way, while thumbing their noses to the era of disco. Sonically, this is the best kind of band sponsored live release. It sounds like a bootleg from an audience member, but a bootleg done off the soundboard after slipping the sound-man a twenty. Its clear, but its raw. Instruments are all at discernible levels, and vocals are spot on, but theres a rough quality here that allows the listener to be taken back 28 years and dropped dead center in front of Bill Janey lighting up his stratocaster. I mean, if you like live recordings that make you feel as if you were at the show, this ones for you. Musically, they take all the influences of the day (Hendrix, Cream, Captain Beyond, etc.) and manage to create their own sound and unique songs. Bill Janey is a guitarist extraordinaire. Steve Bocks bass playing would turn lesser players fingers into pretzel knots. Dennis Bunce keeps time like a Rolex without the pretentiousness. Furthermore, I catch Marc Bolan/T. Rex warble in Janeys vocals which is a plus in my book. All in all, an excellent live recording that engages the listener as close to the live experience as possible. If you like the obscure, enjoy digging into the past, checking out a band that paved the way for good rock bands like Fu Manchu and Nebula, you will enjoy this.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:12:07 +0000