By Ken Paulson
Here’s an album I’ve always wanted, but never knew existed.
I’ve always loved the near-perfect power pop of the Raspberries, and I knew their roots were in the Choir, where band members Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti and Dave Smalley honed their skills.
There have been re-issues of their early stuff, most notably “Choir Practice” and their single “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
But it turns out that in 1969, after the departure of Bryson and Smalley, drummer Bonfanti soldiered on with a new line-up and recorded the album that’s just been released by Omnivore Recordings.
The “Artifact” title is apt. The music is ambitious, uneven and sometimes just odd, but as a document of the era, it’s remarkable.
Opening tracks “Anyway I Can” and “If These Are Men” reflect the band’s British invasion influences, and bring to mind both the Nazz and the soon-to-arrive Big Star. There’s also a faithful and energetic take on the Kinks’ “David Watts.”
But from there, the album is all over the board. In 1969, bands didn’t just make albums; they made statements. Blame psychedelia for the band’s bizarre “Lady Bug” and these lyrics: “Lady Bug, Lady Bug, Please do me no harm.” Yes, be sure to look out for killer lady bugs.
It gets stranger. The final track is a jaunty tribute to a Mummer Band: “I love rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm ‘n’ blues, but oh that Mummer Band.” Oh indeed.
But give credit where due. This was the band that inspired Eric Carmen to pursue rock and these final recordings bridged the gap to the Raspberries. Omnivore has unearthed an important final chapter.
