Music Banter - View Single Post - Mark Farner Interview in Rock Cellar Magazine
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Old 08-08-2012, 09:41 PM   #3 (permalink)
Screen13
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Good interview! Not too much into GFR, but I have been getting some albums looking through the used bins to have another listen. Focusing more on the Early days, managed by Terry Knight (Remember his band Terry Knight and the Pack with Mark and Don?).

Live Album - Solid set, recorded very early. Being their third album, it features some extended jams that show how they kept the crowds going. Nothing too wild, just good basic Rock that gets to the point.

Survival - Their '71 album. Not too into the covers (not many can cover "Gimme Shelter" in my opinion), but the originals are alright. One of the things I do notice is the use of some Heavy Bass by Mel (who was in ? and the Mysterians).

The 69-71 collection - Fine starter's kit, has their early FM Radio hits.

Born to Die - Their final Capitol album, showing a very mature style, but lacking in the power that attracted a lot of their early fans. It's either a disappointment or something under-rated, I'll get back to that later, but as it stands, it's not a bad way to go into the post-hit era either. There's a little more social commentary here than usual ("Politician," "Talk to the People").

Mark Farner - Got the debut vinyl, cut out, Produced by Dick Wagner. Showing a growing use Christian themes (The Gospel-style "He Let Me Love" - the Thank God credit on the back cover), this would hint at what his writing went to after the first run of success. Social commentary is here as well in songs like "Ban the Man" and "Social Disaster." "Dear Miss Lucy" was the single I think. Bob Kulick was on Guitar on this album. GFR fans might like this.


Being the B-Movie lover, I would like to point those interested to the film Weekend Rebellion, which is a 1970 flick that has some early live footage filmed I think back in '69, just when things were starting to get going for them. Most of the rest of the film is from the 1967 flick Mondo Daytona, with the added live footage offering star appeal to see it.

Last edited by Screen13; 08-08-2012 at 09:50 PM.
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