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Carla Olson & The Textones "Detroit '85 Live &
Unreleased" (Collectors' Choice)
Born from the L.A. rock underground of the early-80s, Olson's music
was earthier, rosier, and had the blue-collar leanings of Springsteen,
Mellancamp and Fogerty. This previously unreleased live recording
originated as an FM radio broadcast of an opening tour slot in support
of the band's 1984 debut, "Midnight Mission," reprising eight of the
album's ten tracks, and adding selections from Steven Van Zandt
("Under the Gun"), John Fogerty ("Rockin' All Over the World"), Dwight
Twilley ("Looking For the Magic") and Atlantic's golden period of soul
(Clarence Carter's "Slip Away"). Olson proved herself a superb front-
woman, with strong vocals befitting songs of everyday working stiffs.
The band is likewise tough with a classic dual guitar lineup, though
their vitality was undercut by Tom Morgan's 70s-hangover saxophone
playing. Olson's blue collar anthem, "Hands of the Working Man," is on
par with Mellancamp's heartland rock, and her cover selections,
including Dylan's then-current "Clean Cut Kid" provide the band plenty
of strong material. Drummer Phil Seymour steps to the microphone for
the opening "Running," Steve Hufsteter's "Back in Time," and a cover
of his former band's "Looking for the Magic." The latter is sung at
live concert tempo, more rock than power-pop. The Stax styling of
"Back in Time" is even better, and Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over the
World" is sung with a gritty lead vocal and howling harmonies
emblematic of the audience's motor city vibe. While this doesn't
really compare to contemporaneous live sets by the likes of The
Blasters, Olson's fans will enjoy the chance to hear her band in its
ascendancy. [(c)2008 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com] |
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