We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
It’s hard to believe that the debut LP for Pure Prairie League didn’t make them stars in early 1972. It took the aptly named “Bustin Out” with the iconic tune “Amie”, later in the year to do it. But that doesn’t take away from how good this record is.
Building on the foundation laid by the Byrds, the Burritos and Poco, Craig Fuller and the band took the country-rock hooks and harmonies and polished them to a high sheen. Shimmering is the right word.
Fuller’s plaintive voice works perfectly with these tunes and the harmonies are spectacular, months before the Eagles debut would make us fall in love with country-rock harmony singing. My favorite is “You’re Between Me” (which includes a name check for the band McKendree Spring which we reviewed last week) but trust me, they’re all good.
The thing that sets this band apart is the front and center steel guitar of John David Call. The line from Johnny B Goode about “playing guitar like a ringing a bell” could have been written about Call.
Most of the songs are verse and chorus but the band does get to work out a bit on the tune ‘Country Song”. Since country music of the early 70’s had not reached the outlaw phase yet, this stuff made the genre seem much hipper.
The cover art is also excellent on the LP as it would be on many of the bands albums going forward.
If you like harmony singing, guitar pickin and steel guitar wailing…you’ll love this album.
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