Stoneground - Family Album (1971)

Originally released as a 2 LP set in 1971, this has never had a major label reissue on CD. I purchased this through the artist's website so it is authorized, and not a bootleg. Three of the LP sides were devoted to a live set that was broadcast on San Francisco's KSAN radio, performed at Pacific High Recording Studios in front of an audience of about 200 people. The last LP side was new studio material. I don't know if the master tapes have been lost or what, but this is vinyl-sourced, some light surface noise can be heard during quiet passages. But, so what? The music is awesome and if this is the only way we can hear it, so be it. The music is great West Coast hippie rock, not psychedelic and not boogie, but a kind of rhythm and blues infused with soul and elements of gospel! Star of the show and apparent leader of the band is ex-Beau Brummels guitarist and singer Sal Valentino, possibly one of the most under-rated guitar players of the 70's. Four outstanding female vocalists are on hand, I think there's seven singers on the album altogether. The live set starts with a rollicking version of Johnny Cash's Get Rhythm and the passion and excitement doesn't let up for over 60 minutes. The duet with Sal Valentino on guitar and Annie Sampson on vocals, "Precious Lord", is nothing less that awesome.

Disc One - Live
1. Get Rhythm
2. Passion Flower
3. Corina
4. Big River
5. Won't Be Long
6. Super Clown
7. Richland Woman
8. Queen Sweet Dreams
9. Precious Lord
10. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
11. I Can't Help It
12. No Doreen
13. It's Not Easy
14. If You Gotta Go
15. Total Destruction To Your Mind

Disc Two - Studio
16. You Must Be One Of Us
17. All My Life
18. Where Will I Find Love
19. Gonna Have A Good Time
20. Jam It

Sal Valentino - Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
Tim Barnes - Guitar, Vocals
Cory Lerios - Keyboards
Stephen Price - Drums
Brian Godula - Bass
John Blakely - Guitar, Bass
Lynne Hughes - Vocals
Dierdre LaPorte - Vocals
Annie Sampson - Vocals
Lydia Morero - Vocals

EAC-FLAC-LOG-CUE-SCANS 474MB

Part 1__Part 2__Part 3

Happy New Year!