Released in 1970 (or ’72 depending on your source), this is an album new to me and I have enjoyed listening this morning. They are understandably heavily influenced by rock music of the day, especially horn bands, so opener Lonely Years is very much a Chicago-flavoured song, bright and upbeat – despite its title! – and this continues throughout, strongly, as following Grey-Blue is even more Chicago-driven, here in the vocal as well. Both of these are fine numbers in their own right, and the organ on the latter invokes that other brass touchstone BS&T. There’s an extended guitar solo opening on third Up and Down, and this is a more expansive clone on the Transit Authority template. The later break into saxophone furthers the examples of fine playing, layered it would appear by Flem Brass and Vince Wallace. I like the blues of Wood Grain Alcohol, and Bombay Calling is a requisite illustrative instrumental piece. Penultimate Whirled Piece is perhaps redolent of the jazzfunk of Steely Dan – not wholly, and touching for other influence – and closer New Day / It Appears to Be is a near nine-minute near direct steal from Chicago, but that’s no secret by now, nor a disappointment. Excellent vocal harmonies throughout, CS&N touched on this ending track.
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