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MICHAEL GARRISON “In The Regions Of Sunreturn”
August 4, 2022
AUGUST “Same” RARE reissue
August 4, 2022
STRONGBOW “Same” super rare HARD ROCK
$50.00
1 in stock
Description
STRONGBOW “Same” super rare (U.S. Southwind) 1975 SEALED COPY RARE Sort of like a harder and less commercial Foreigner…excellent record….Here are some notes from a great peer rd10
Having formed in Columbus, Ohio in 1970, by 1973 the Strongbow line-up featured singer Bill Bendler, bassist John Durzo, lead guitarist Michael Shortland, drummer David Smith, and keyboardist John Stelzer.
– 1973’s ‘If You’re Going To the City’ b/w ‘Changes’ (Epodus catalog number E 773 A/B)
Between touring the band recorded a series of demos at Columbus’ Owl Studios. Those demos attracted the attention of Buddah’s small Southwind subsidiary which signed them to a recording contract. For whatever reason Buddah/Southwind executives demanded the demos be recorded, teaming the band with producer Alan Lorber. Released in 1975, “Strongbow” offered up a surprisingly enjoyable set of mid-western rock and progressive moves. With all eight tracks credited to singer Bill Bender, it was an odd album to describe. Listening to tracks like ‘One Armed Bandit’ and ‘Move Over’ it was easy to picture these guys slogging through the mid-west playing more conventional REO Speedwagon-styled rock. In fact, while his voice wasn’t bad, singer Bendler probably would have been better suited handling more conventional rock numbers. On tracks like ‘Move Over Gloom’ and ‘How Can I Be Loving You’ he actually reminded me a bit of Randy Bachman. And that was actually a good musical baseline for describing these guys. Imagine BTO (yes I know they were Canadian), REO, Styx, or maybe even Grand Funk Railroad had they shifted their focus from rock to a more progressive orientation. Admittedly, nothing here was creatively groundbreaking and as hard as they might have wanted to become ELP, or Yes, their mid-western roots weren’t going to allow them to abandon more traditional rock and roll structures.
With virtually no support from Southwind the band continued to tour on their own resources. Strongbow apparently even began recording material for a planned follow-up album, but called it quits in 1977.
“Strongbow” track listing:
(side 1)
1.) One Armed Bandit (Bill Bendler) – 3:42
(side 1)
1.) One Armed Bandit (Bill Bendler) – 3:42
rating; **** stars
I’m a sucker for cheesy ’70s synthesizers so John Stelzer’s opening Atari-styled programming instantly captured by attention. There was actually something decidedly cheesy about the whole song, but these guys played with a sense of enthusiasm that many of their better known (and compensated) compatriots couldn’t ever match. Hearing the band barrel their way through a myriad of different tempos and passages in under four minutes made for a great opening number.
2.) Sister Sea (Bill Bendler) – 5:37 rating; **** stars
David Smith’s opening drums gave you the impression ‘Sister Sea’ was going to be a conventional bar band rocker. Wrong. From there the song morphed into a mid-western cross between Kansas and Yes. Sound bizarre? It was, but in a guilty pleasure fashion. Yeah the song squirmed all over the map, but these guys had a penchant for nice melodies and it shone through on this one.
3.) The Only One Around (Bill Bendler) – 9:51 rating; **** stars
Opening up a nice mixture of Michael Shortlandl’s lead guitar and John Stelzer keyboards, ‘The Only One Around’ sported the album’s prettiest melody. With Bendler toning down his more strident vocals, the song unveiled the band’s unexpected talent for sweet harmony vocals. While it sounded like a trumpet with a mute on it, I’m guessing the extended solo on this one was actually a Stelzer synthesizer. Nice, breezy tune and an album highlight.
I’m a sucker for cheesy ’70s synthesizers so John Stelzer’s opening Atari-styled programming instantly captured by attention. There was actually something decidedly cheesy about the whole song, but these guys played with a sense of enthusiasm that many of their better known (and compensated) compatriots couldn’t ever match. Hearing the band barrel their way through a myriad of different tempos and passages in under four minutes made for a great opening number.
2.) Sister Sea (Bill Bendler) – 5:37 rating; **** stars
David Smith’s opening drums gave you the impression ‘Sister Sea’ was going to be a conventional bar band rocker. Wrong. From there the song morphed into a mid-western cross between Kansas and Yes. Sound bizarre? It was, but in a guilty pleasure fashion. Yeah the song squirmed all over the map, but these guys had a penchant for nice melodies and it shone through on this one.
3.) The Only One Around (Bill Bendler) – 9:51 rating; **** stars
Opening up a nice mixture of Michael Shortlandl’s lead guitar and John Stelzer keyboards, ‘The Only One Around’ sported the album’s prettiest melody. With Bendler toning down his more strident vocals, the song unveiled the band’s unexpected talent for sweet harmony vocals. While it sounded like a trumpet with a mute on it, I’m guessing the extended solo on this one was actually a Stelzer synthesizer. Nice, breezy tune and an album highlight.
(side 2)
1.) Move Over Gloom (Bill Bendler) – 5:08 rating; **** stars
They added horns ? I’m guessing they were actually synthesizers … ‘Move Over Gloom’ started out as the band’s most progressive oriented tune, but when Bendler’s vocals kicked it sounded like he was channeling his best Randy Bachman impersonation. Coupled with the catchy refrain and some harmonies that have always reminded me of the band Lake, this was one of the album’s most commercial offerings.
2.) How Can I Be Loving You (Bill Bendler) – 5:56 rating; *** star
‘How Can I Be Loving You’ was another track with a BTO-ish vocal … The highlights came from Michael Shortland’s wonderful solo. Docked one star for John Stelze needless flute solo.
3.) Wine Eyes (Bill Bendler) – 2:42 rating; *** star
Quite commercial and radio-friendly, ‘Wine Eyes’ offered up their best mixture of rock and progressive moves.
4.) Hazy May (Bill Bendler) – 6:52 rating; **** stars
Loved the Michael Shortland riff this one was built on … Yeah, I guess technically it was a progressive tune, but it was built on that killer rock guitar riff.
1.) Move Over Gloom (Bill Bendler) – 5:08 rating; **** stars
They added horns ? I’m guessing they were actually synthesizers … ‘Move Over Gloom’ started out as the band’s most progressive oriented tune, but when Bendler’s vocals kicked it sounded like he was channeling his best Randy Bachman impersonation. Coupled with the catchy refrain and some harmonies that have always reminded me of the band Lake, this was one of the album’s most commercial offerings.
2.) How Can I Be Loving You (Bill Bendler) – 5:56 rating; *** star
‘How Can I Be Loving You’ was another track with a BTO-ish vocal … The highlights came from Michael Shortland’s wonderful solo. Docked one star for John Stelze needless flute solo.
3.) Wine Eyes (Bill Bendler) – 2:42 rating; *** star
Quite commercial and radio-friendly, ‘Wine Eyes’ offered up their best mixture of rock and progressive moves.
4.) Hazy May (Bill Bendler) – 6:52 rating; **** stars
Loved the Michael Shortland riff this one was built on … Yeah, I guess technically it was a progressive tune, but it was built on that killer rock guitar riff.
Formed
1970, Columbus, OH, United States
Members
Bill Bendler (vocals), Michael Shortland (guitar), John Stelzer (organ, synthesizer, saxophone, flute, vocals), John Durzo (bass), David Smith (drums), Bob Hill (guitar, 1970-71), Mike Haines (bass, 1970-71)
Related Artists
Trollie
Track listing
1970, Columbus, OH, United States
Members
Bill Bendler (vocals), Michael Shortland (guitar), John Stelzer (organ, synthesizer, saxophone, flute, vocals), John Durzo (bass), David Smith (drums), Bob Hill (guitar, 1970-71), Mike Haines (bass, 1970-71)
Related Artists
Trollie
Track listing
A1
One Armed Bandit
One Armed Bandit
A2
Sister Sea
Sister Sea
A3
The Only One Around
The Only One Around
B1
Move Over Gloom
Move Over Gloom
B2
How Can I Be Loving You
How Can I Be Loving You
B3
Wine Eyes
Wine Eyes
B4
Hazy May
