Four Sail

by Love

Overview

From a retrospective point of view, this might be the first album in the career of singer and songwriter Arthur Lee that might have been received with more enthusiasm had it been released under his name, and not under the band name. Obviously, it must have been in his commercial best interests to retain the Love identity, but here Lee is the only member of the original band left. He is trying to recreate a Love-able identity with fewer players than he had before and a completely different sound. The old Love delivered material in a solidly folk-rock vein, meaning among other things an emphasis on combinations of acoustic and electric guitars. When the original group wanted something a little heavier, it would really put the hammer down. Records such as "My Little Red Book" and "Seven & Seven Is" were tough enough to be rightly considered precursors of punk rock, which is a lot of mileage to get out of a Burt Bacharach tune. Lee's new lineup here does not have this kind of versatility. Guitarist Jay Donnellan plays a heavy lead guitar minus the impressive chops and gets lots of solo space in the arrangements. The rhythm section favors a more leaden sound as well, particularly drummer George Suranovich, who soaks the barbecue with Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell licks. Lee fills in on several different instruments, but his real strength is the set of ten original songs he has provided. The tracks are deep in feeling and performed with an emotional fervor that sometimes approaches anguish. It is like going into a dark coffeehouse late at night and finding an electrically charged performer delivering messages about things familiar to one and all: love, memories, friendship, "Good Times," and even "Nothing." Lee's lyrics and performances have been compared to Jimi Hendrix, certainly a compliment. This album is such a good example of these strengths that it rises above the garage band sound to communicate a sense of time and place as well as some truly sincere feelings. ~ Eugene Chadbourne

Product Details

Release Date:	07/16/2019
Label:	Ecg / Elektra / Rhino
UPC:	0603497852116

Tracks

1. August [Arthur Lee Mix]
2. Your Friend and Mine (Neil's Song) [Arthur Lee Mix]
3. I'm With You [Arthur Lee Mix]
4. Good Times [Arthur Lee Mix]
5. Singing Cowboy [Arthur Lee Mix]
6. Dream [Arthur Lee Mix]
7. Robert Montgomery [Arthur Lee Mix]
8. Nothing [Arthur Lee Mix]
9. Talking in My Sleep [Arthur Lee Mix]
10. Always See Your Face [Arthur Lee Mix]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Love   Primary Artist
John Echols   Guitar
Jay Donnellan   Guitar
Michael Stuart   Percussion
Bryan MacLean   Guitar
George Suranovich   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Drachen Theaker   Drums
Frank Fayad   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Ken Forssi   Guitar (Bass)
Arthur Lee   Piano,Congas,Vocals,Harmonica,Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

Jay Donnellan   Composer
Bruce Botnick   Producer
Jac Holzman   Executive Producer
Carla Bley   Composer
Arthur Lee   Arranger,Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Arthur Taylor Lee   Composer