Sugarloaf were arguably Denver's most famous 70s rock band. 'Green Eyed Lady' was a blockbuster hit, and it's also an amazingly progressive track for that era of American music history. Their second album came and went without much impact, though it obviously sold well, especially in this region where the album can still be found in thrift shops.
On that topic, I was mulling on whether or not to keep my thrift shop copy that I found a couple of years ago. It wasn't in thrift shop shape, but rather a beautiful NM. But do I really need it since have the first two albums on one CD? The answer is an astounding Yes. And why? I didn't realize the CD leaves off the second song here 'Hot Water', which was a terrible omission. There were others they could have left off, or even better, the unnecessary addition of their 1974 hit 'Don't Call Us, We'll Call You'. 'Hot Water' is a killer proggy hard rock track, so the matter is settled.
Well since I'm here, let's listen to the LP all the way through, which I've never done (just the CD version). A1 is an excellent progressive rock opener. A3 has elements of bar n' roll but is also solid hard rock. A4 starts off in 'Green Eyed Lady' territory but goes for a bluesy rock sound instead. A5 would have been a great choice for the cutting room floor. Country blues. As I've mentioned before, Colorado in the early 70s was nothing like it is today. 50 years ago, Denver was as much a country roughneck town as it was a major metropolis.
B1 once again introduces us to that beautiful organ and clavinet sound of 'Green Eyed Lady'. This is a more sincere attempt at replicating that hit than A4. B2's name isn't very enticing, and I could generously call it Southern Rock. B3 is a throwback to the jangling psych pop era with a cool Beach Boys styled harmony break. B4 is a folk / classical diversion. B5 supposedly was the hit from this album, but it's not familiar to my ears. It's also the longest track, and you begin to wonder why the band didn't just unleash back in the day, since that's what the audience was gravitating too. Ah, there's that jamming organ and guitar I've been waiting for!
How do you even classify an album like this? Those that hate genre tags would love the dilemma. I had it in my psych collection, but no way. Prog? Sort of. Classic rock? Hmmm. Hard rock? I think so - that's the closest. Kind of early-days-post-heavy-psych hard rock. Such an interesting album really.
Ownership: LP: 1971 Liberty. Rough paper gatefold. You usually find these trashed here in town, but this copy survived in beautiful shape. Thrift shop pickup (2021). I wonder if the guy on the right later regretted the photo shoot?
CD: 1997 Collectables. I've had this since it came out, and in my head I always said it was all I need. Well I may move to the LPs now. The first Sugarloaf is ubiquitous here in Colorado, it's just a matter of how much I want to pay and can I find one in decent condition? How about the bonus hit 'Don't Call Us, We'll Call You'. Yea, it's pretty good, but of little relation to the albums proper. This track was on a 1974 album with the same title, and it had been reissued already. My verdict? Label was stupid to add it and leave off 'Hot Water'.
1998; 5/19/15; 12/22/23 (new entry)
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