BRUNNING SUNFLOWER BAND/TRACKSIDE BLUES EROS 8132 (-69) UK

Bob Brunning (1943 - 2011) was a British bass player, best known for being replaced. He was in an early setting of Savoy Brown, but replaced after a few weeks by Roger Earl. Also after a temporary assignment with Fleetwood Mac, got out while recording their debute album as John McVie came in, and only contributed to one track on the LP - "Long Gray Mare" - plus a few single tracks "I Believe My Time Aint Long" and "Rambling Pony". Between 1968 and -70 he had a part time blues band and recorded four albums for the UK budget label Saga. This is the one I find most interesting. Reason is his old friend Peter Green plays guitar and provide vocals on a few tracks whereof "If You Let Me Love You" is a true killer. Due to contractual reasons he is uncredited (or almost uncredited - please click back cover text below) but there's no doubt about it. Saga was a budget label and that is clearly shown by their recordings. Bad quality vinyl, low quality studio equipment and strange mixes can make the listening rather irritating, but luckily this is one of the better and it all comes through fine. It's an appealing "white blues" album and some of the tracks are as good as anything from more famous contemporary groups. As with all Saga issues this is compatible stereo only. Not sure if it had any original US release, but a Best of... compilation was issued on CD 2007. (SÄGÖ*)(FXÄC*)