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| Babe Ruth - First Base Classification: Pop Band: Babe Ruth Can't get along without it I was recently "relieved" of my CD collection and am now starting to rebiuld. I am starting with My Favorite "First Base", by Babe Ruth. I bought this album almost twenty years ago, and I can't get along without it. To me, the song "Wells Fargo" is one of the best songs I have EVER heard (and I've heard a lot!). I've never heard a song that says "crank me up as loud as your stereo will go, rattle the windows and dance till you collapse!" like that song. Hahn's vocals, Shacklock's guitar, and oh, that saxaphone! I Love the way that song fades into the quiet brilliance of "Runaway", which proves, along with "King Kong","Joker", and "The Mexican" That this was a Band of true musicianship, versatility, and depth. It's a pity that this Band never got it's due, but I'm Glad that I know about arguably the best kept Secret in Rock and Roll, Babe Ruth. One of the reasons I never junked my turntable... ...was so I could continue to enjoy this album (before it came out on CD). I can't remember a time when I didn't know every song on this album. My parents were in their early 20's when it came out (and I was 4) and consequently, I grew up hearing this album over and over again (along with Head East's "Flat as a Pancake"). This album is one of the best kept secrets of modern music. It only has 6 cuts (the original album - not the import), but this is a definite case of quality being more important than quantity. The songs are long, but not so long as to get boring and make you want to Move the needle (or hit the >> button) to escape from them. The vocal "stylings" of Jenny Hahn are incredibly powerful (you'd never think it to look at her picture on the back cover!) and are a perfect match for the music. Alan Shocklock's vocals and guitar work (not to mention his writing) are superb. What I've always found particularly interesting is the intricate interplay between the lead guitar and the organ. They duet on nearly every song, but the effect never gets boring. (And it's very interesting to listen to each one individually by adjusting your Balance knob!) I was ecstatic when I discovered this on CD several years ago. It was like listening to it for the first time, to hear the music so clean and clear, without the hindering pops and cracks of the vinyl version I inherited from my parents. Buy it - now! If you like strong, driven, 70's progressive rock, you cannot leave this one behind! Four stars and about as many fans! "Babe Ruth" remains a baseball Player to most and a candy bar to many, but for those "in the know" they are one of the Great Undiscovered prog-rock bands of the 70's. "First Base" was thier finest hour, and stands the test of time rather well. Very Strong arrangements and powerful lead vocals by Jenny Hann push this set right along.Standout songs include "The Mexican", with its Latin-tinged hard rock riffing and cleverly incorporated Morricone "quote" during the break. The compelling "Joker" benefits from a dynamic "trade-off" lead vocal duet. The Band also displays formidable musicianship with an excellent cover of Frank Zappa's complex instrumental "King Kong" (very few groups have covered Zappa material, and there's a reason-it requires some serious chops!)A successful balance of melody, hard-driving rock and jazz-like complexity that doesn't quite sound like anyone else in the genre. Recommended for the adventurous! Buy Babe Ruth First Base at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
