Week of September 14, 2008

Douglas Fir

Personnel:
Tim Doyle - Keyboards
Richie Moore - Guitar
Douglas A. Snider - Drums, Lead Vocals
Bruce Bye - Bass

Album:
Hard Heartsingin' (Quad 5002) 1970
CD: Gear Fab GF-149, 2000

45:
Smokey Joe's / Comin' Back Home (Quad QU 104) Jun 1970

Originally known as The Sun Trio, this Oregon outfit spent two years putting together an album's worth of material. Snider made the trip to Hollywood to do the record label rounds. Following a chance elevator encounter, he landed a deal with MGM's Quad label. Bruce Bye was added to the line-up and the band toured briefly before the label folded.

The title track is pretty powerful with strong, soul-based vocals, effective organ backing and occasionally some good guitar work too. Apart from three more mellow, laid-back numbers most of the remaining material is very rocky. There's some good keyboards too, on a couple of tracks and the vocals are powerful and appealing throughout. Recommended.

(Clark Faville / Vernon Joynson / Max Waller)

Taken from: Fuzz, Acid & Flowers - American Garage, Psychedelic & Hippie Rock 1964-1975


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