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"TOMMY BOLIN"


Pretzel logic

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Jan Hammer on Cobhams "Spectrum" Yes. This created quite a stir for Bolin. I HAD two records from a band called "Zephyr". This was Tommy Bolin's first band, as far as I know. Great stuff. I can't believe I don't still have it. I keep saying "it" because it was their first record I really liked. I must've sold it to a used record store years and years ago. I could shoot myself. Anyone hear this band or have that first record. Had a female singer who belted like Joplin and Lydia Pense (Lydia sang with a great Bay Area band in the 70's called Cold Blood). Then of course there was Linda Tillery.

All the best,

 

Henry Robinett

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Bolin also played in Deep Purple after Blackmore left in the mid-70s.

 

I have his solo record "Private Eyes" on vinyl. haven't listened to it in years but I remember thinking it wasn't that great. More pop-rock stuff. Not jazz/rock fusion.

 

"Spectrum" is mind-boggling however. Awesome record. I still haven't ever heard a better drummer than Cobham.

"You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer
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Yeah, Private Eyes and the other one he released, Teaser, were disappointing. The songs were pedestrian, and he wasn't much of a singer. Great band, though (Narada Michael Walden on drums). Some good guitar work here and there.
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Originally posted by AlChuck:

Yeah, Private Eyes and the other one he released, Teaser, were disappointing. The songs were pedestrian, and he wasn't much of a singer. Great band, though (Narada Michael Walden on drums). Some good guitar work here and there.

I guess everyone sees things differently. I LOVE his singing style and the playing on Private Eyes and Teaser is awesome in places. Super heavy on songs like Post Toastie... and jazz influences aplenty on songs like Savanah Woman! It's all personal taste of course, but I wouldn't want someone who doesn't know Tommy's work to ignore these solo discs because of only "one side" of a review. If you asked me, I'd say these are MUST have cd's if you like Tommy Bolin or want to know his music.

 

Tommy was viewed as one of the top players in his heyday... the album he did with Deep Purple "Come Taste the Band" has some very cool stuff on it.

 

He also did a stint with the James Gang... the album "Bang" is almost a country rockish fusion thing... interesting.

 

Spectrum though does have some very passionate playing by all the parties involved. They were "going for it" at a time when that could have commercial appeal. It was not a "hit" in its day, but I often hear people mention it when they talk about the history of "fusion"... for good or bad.

 

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No one ever heard Zephyr huh? I wonder if it's available somewhere?

 

Yeah that solo record from him sucked pretty bad. I think it was released without his consent, if I recall correctly. A demo or something. Maybe even someone else's record. But I think he was also a heavy drug case too.

All the best,

 

Henry Robinett

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Yeah that solo record from him sucked pretty bad. I think it was released without his consent, if I recall correctly. A demo or something. Maybe even someone else's record.
You aren't talking about Teaser or Private Eyes, are you? They seemed to be pretty full productions, certainly weren't demos or rehearsals (like Allan Holdsworth's Velvet Darkness was)... and they were definitly Tommy Bolin's date, he toured with the same band under his name...
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talking of deep purple members solo / other stuff, an album that had a great effect on me was the Hughes / Thrall album (1982?) - great singing and superb playing and sound by thrall - wasnt he a sideman for pat travers, who someone was waxing lrical about on another thread?

I was only young(ish) at the time but its one of those records that can stil be listened to and enjoyed.

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I listen to Zephyr records a lot. I love their version of "St. James Infirmary." Bolin was great. I also have his album "Teaser" which I don't like too much but I haven't heard his other solo album.
"I look for whatever will cut the deepest... whammy bars and wah wah pedals can't be used as just gimmicks. They have to reflect and express your feelings." - Jeff Beck
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Yeah, Thrall was in the Pat Travers Band back then. He also played on a record called Automatic Man with Mike Shrieve and a fusion keyboardist called Bayete. Great record.

 

Originally posted by yosser:

talking of deep purple members solo / other stuff, an album that had a great effect on me was the Hughes / Thrall album (1982?) - great singing and superb playing and sound by thrall - wasnt he a sideman for pat travers, who someone was waxing lrical about on another thread?

I was only young(ish) at the time but its one of those records that can stil be listened to and enjoyed.

I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist.

 

This ain't no track meet; this is football.

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I personally thought Post Toastie was fab......very cool stuff. But then I never liked Hollywood Action movies.....and would rather watch something like "rabbit proof fence". :) If you don't get the connection, you probably never will! :)
Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in
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