Crazy Horse
Band members Related acts
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- John Blanton -- keyboards (replaced Jack Nitzsche) - keyboards (1972) (replaced John Blanton) (1972-) (replaced George Whitsell) (1972-) (replaced Danny Whitten) (1972-)
line up xx (1978) -
Ralph Molina (RIP) -- vocals, drums, percussion
supporting musicians (1978) - Tim Brey -- trumpet - Michael Curtis -- synthesizers - Barry Goldberg -- harmonica, keyboards - Jay Graydon -- lead guitar - Ben Keith -- pedal steel guitar - Mike Kowalski -- drums, percussion - Steve Lawrence -- sax - Bobby Notoff -- violin - Greg Leroy -- guitar - Kenny Walther -- trombone - Neil Young -- lead guitar
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- Grin (Nils Lofgren) - Neil Young (backup band for) |
Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Crazy Horse Catalog: RS 6438 Year: 1971 Country/State: US Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear Available: 2 Catalog ID: not yet listed Price: $15.00
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Having attracted regional attention during the mid-'60s as members of The Rockets (see separate entry), bassist Billy Talbot and guitarist Danny Whitten became friendly with the Buffalo Springfield's Neil Young. With Young striking out in pursuit of a solo career following the Springfield's breakup, the two were invited to play on his sophomore release "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere". Paired with guitarist Nils Lofgren (then supporting Young), drummer Ralph Molina, and keyboardist Jack Nitzsche they accompanied Young on a tour in support of the album. Dubbed Crazy Horse by Young, the quintet became his backing and touring band through 1972's "Harvest".
1.) Gone Dead Train (Russ Titelman - Jack Nitzsche) - 4:08 (side 2) 1.) Carolay (Russ Titelman - Jack Nitzsche) - 2:50
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Loose Company: Reprise Catalog: REP 44 171 Country/State: US Year: 1973 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: German pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: not yet listed Price: $15.00
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Unfortunately, before the band could release a follow up Whitten died from a drug overdose. Replaced by George
Whitsell, matters were further complicated when Nitzsche and Lofgren abruptly left. Replaced by John Blanton and Greg Leroy, surviving members Molina and Talbot suddenly found themselves completing the follow-up with what amounted to a brand new band. One of the year's most appropriately titled efforts,
"Loose" aptly reflected the ongoing turmoil. Sure, with the exception of "All the Little Things", anyone expecting
another set of riff powered rockers was probably disappointed. On the other hand, given the band had lost its primary writers and the set was recorded under intense pressure, the results were actually pretty good. With new-kids-on-the-block Blanton, Leroy and Whitsell picking up the writing chores, material such as "Hit and Run", " One Thing I Love", "Move" and "Fair Weather Friend" found the band pursuing a country-rock sound. Sure, it wasn't particularly original or groundbreaking, but the results were never less than catchy and professional (be sure to check out "All Alone Now" with it's CSN&Y-styled harmonies). Think along the lines of Poco and you'll get a feel for the results. Their final chart success, the album peaked at #170. Unfortunately marginal sales weren't enough for Reprise which quickly dropped the band from its recording rooster.
1.) Hit and Run (John Blanton) - (side 2) 1.) Fair Weather Friend (Grey Leroy) -
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Crazy Moon Company: RCA Victor Catalog: AFL1 3045 Country/State: US Year: 1978 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: lyric inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 3216 Price: $20.00
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Produced by Richard Heenan and Kirby Johnson, by the time 1978's "Crazy Moon" was released, Crazy Horse had undergone massive personnel changes. The only original members for this outing were drummer Ralph Molina and bassist Billy Talbot. By the time the album was recorded, the pair had recruited longtime Neil Young sidekick Frank "Poncho" Sampedro as a replacement for the late Danny Whitten. Molina and Talbot previously worked with Sampedro while recording and touring behind Young's "Zuma" album. Coincidentally, longtime Crazy Horse patron Neil Young co-produced five of the eleven tracks and contributed lead guitar throughout the set.
At least some of the tunes reflected material written and toured at the same time "Zuma" was recorded. With all three members contributing to the writing chores, like "Zuma", the addition of Sampedro to the line-up seemed to inject a tougher, rawer edge into tracks like 'She's Hot', 'Going Down Again', and 'Thunder and Lightening'. It certainly brought out some of Young's most aggressive guitar playing - check out his work on 'Downhill'. Mind you, the album wasn't perfect. Their stabs at country left me cold ('End of the Line') and on a couple of tracks ('New Orleans' and 'Too Late Now') you got the impression they'd been listening to too much of The Band and Little Feat. So here's one of the funny things about this album - you'd be hard pressed to argue that any of the principles had a great voice. Check out Sampedro on 'Lost and Lonely Feelin'' or 'Downhill'. That said, within the confines of this album, with the previous exception, those vocal limitations weren't a real factor. The closing rocker 'Thunder and Lightening' was a perfect example. With Sampedro and Talbot growling their way through the song, it was hard to notice their raw vocals when Young was plowing away on lead guitar. This is one of those album's I'd describe as a "grower".
1.) She's Hot (Steve Antoine - Frank Sampedro) - 3:11 rating: **** stars Neil Young's blazing, instantly recognizable raw guitar opened and powered the rockier She's Hot'. Not the most sophisticated song you've ever heard, but that raw, enthusiastic delivery more than made up for any other shortcomings and Young's grungy lead guitar was killer. Certainly would have made for a dandy FM 45. 2.) Going Down Again (Ralph Molina) - 3:26 rating: **** stars Hum, country-rock-meets-grunge ? 'Going Down Again' was a bit too melodic for a Young solo side; especially when the sweet harmonies kicked in on the chorus. Always loved the squealing lead guitar on this one. He wasn't listed on the track, but Young had to be playing the lead guitar ... 3.) Lost and Lonely Feelin' (Frank Sampedro) - 3:10 rating: ** stars Pretty ballad, with kind of a Band vibe, but ultimately too country for my tastes. Can't say I enjoyed Frank Sampedro's fragile vocals on this one. 4.) Dancin' Lady (Frank Sampedro - Billy Talbot) - 3:11 rating: *** stars I remember initially finding the bouncy 'Dancin' Lady' very disconcerting. I think it was the fact Talbot's falsetto was an acquired taste. 5.) End of the Line (Ralph Molina) - 3:10 rating: *** stars Another pretty, but forgettable country-tinged ballad. About all I can say is Ralph Molina's voice was better than Frank Sampedro's. 6.) New Orleans (Ben Keith - Billy Talbot) - 3:11 rating: *** stars Hum, judging by the mildly funky 'New Orleans' (complete with horn arrangement), Crazy Horse apparently wanted to become Little Feat ... nothing wrong with that influence, but most people wanting to hear some Little Feat, would put on a Little Feat album.
1.) Love Don't Come Easy (Ralph Molina) - 3:10 rating: *** stars The mid-tempo ballad 'Love Don't Come Easy' was probably the album's most commercial and radio-friendly song. Yeah, Molina would have been advised to avoid reaching for the high notes, but kicked along by Steve Lawrence's sax solo, the song had a sweet, slow-dance groove. Always loved the CSN-styled backing vocals. 2.) Downhill (Frank Sampedro) - 4:15 rating: **** stars Young's squealing lead guitar was all over 'Downhill' giving it a "Zuma"-like flavor. Geez, Sampedro's grizzled voice even reminded me of Young on this one. So the natural conclusion should be anyone who loves Young should find this tune a classic. 3.) Too Late Now (Frank Sampedro) - 2:54 rating: *** stars Another look-we're-channeling-The Band country-rock track, though I'll admit the title chorus was a hoot. 4.) That Day (Billy Talbot) - 3:19 rating: *** stars Geez, maybe those upper register arrangements weren't such a good idea ... Another track that demonstrated the band had an affection for top-40 rock. The song also sported one of the album's most commercial guitar solos. 5.) Thunder and Lightning (Frank Sampedro - Billy Talbot) - 3:58 rating: **** stars For some reason 'Thunder and Lightening' always reminds me of Young's Buffalo Springfield catalog. Love his thick, sustaining guitar work on this one.
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