Rarely did this band make a complete album or as complete as this one turned out to be. It included some of their best material and the absolute classic "Cover Of The Rolling Stone" which has become one of musics most beloved songs. Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show created a perfect blend of folk rock, country and to some extent pop with a little comedy and good natured fun to created a catalog of tasty confections to be enjoyed by everyone. Ray Sawyer who has been a leading figure for the group and the main visual presence has tried to continue the group into the current era with varying success on the live circuit. Sometimes you get a great show and sometimes well you get what I experienced in Williams Lake, BC at the arena which was a total drunken mess that for a few years left me with a total distaste for the groups material.
With that said this album is a shining example of what Dennis Locorriere brought to the band with his tender rasp. He could croon like no other and his voice was at its best when tender and soft as presented on "Carry Me Carrie" one of the greatest ballads that you will ever hear. The performance on this song is absolutely stunning in how he is able to emote the lyrics and have them soak so deep into your soul and leave you with a mark.
The awesomeness of "Freakin' At The Freakers Ball" still holds up today as well as it did back in 1972. The group really had struck gold on this one written by the immortal Shel Silverstein who was behind some of the bands best tunes. Also included on this album was the hit "Queen Of The Silver Dollar" another song that is just as good now and it was then. The song still captivates you as it plays and I'm sure nobody changes the channel on the classic rock radio station when this gem comes on the air.
The master is at it again on "The Things I Didn't Say" with this country flavored tune that is as good as the other stuff just wasn't a single even though it surely would have been a hit single if given the chance back in the day. Sloppy Seconds is the bands best record no matter which album might include your personal favorite this is by far the band at their best. The album cuts aren't throwaway songs which is prevalent on their subsequent albums. There are some albums that if "Last Morning" was included on it would have been the chosen single over whatever else was recorded. Once again Dennis is at his cocksure best delivering the goods at the highest level on "Last Morning" which has over years become a favorite of mine.
The albums non single tracks "I Can't Touch The Sun" and "Stayin' Song" are also top notch Hook songs that again stand up to be noticed and deserve the attention. Overall Sloppy Seconds is a total must have album even if you are a casual fan of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.
0 comments:
Post a Comment