We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
This band was one of the top concert draws of the early 70’s. They were the first white band that had hits for Motown…and that was the formula. Doing long rock jams of hits from the Temptations.
But by late 1972 the band Rare Earth was bored with that. They wanted to do more of their own music and wanted to produce themselves. The result was the album “Willie Remembers”.
And while it isn’t bad by any means, it doesnt have the hits that made the boys famous.
This band was tight and could rock but with a funky edge. After years of hits like Get Ready, I Just Want To Celebrate and Hey Big Brother the band had honed it’s sound while giving each member freedom to stretch out.
This one has it’s moments including the 12 minute workout on “I Couldnt Believe What Happened Last Night” with lots of tasty solos from guitarist Ray Monette, keyboard ace Mark Olson and Gil Bridges on various woodwinds.
The band’s vocalist is also the drummer, Pete Hoorelbeke (aka Pete Rivera) who can bring it both with his voice and on the skins.
Other tracks that stand out include ‘Every Now & Then We Go To Miami”, “Gotta Get Myself Back Home” and the somewhat incredible sounding ” We’re Gonna Have A Good Time” which channels Earth, Wind & Fire or Tower of Power.
This is a band that could rock with a soul groove borrowed from their label-mates and always have plenty of memorable riffs but on this record they could have used a little more of that Funk Brothers magic.
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