Grand Slam: The Best of Babe Ruth

by Babe Ruth

Overview

Grand Slam is a worthwhile compilation made up of tracks from Babe Ruth's first three albums, which represent the band's best material. All the tunes on this hits package showcase Babe Ruth's energetic, hard-rockin' progressive style, with a dynamic tinge of free-flowing jazz fusion that evolves from Steve Gregory's tenor sax and flute playing. The set takes seven tracks from 1974's Amar Caballero album, five from their debut, and four from 1975's self-titled album, spotlighting Janita Hahn's burly but emphatic vocals. Even though Alan Shacklock's Mellotron and Hammond organ give the music a certain progressive flair, it's actually the commingling of the guitars and percussion work that gives the bulk of the songs their edginess and rock depth. Cuts such as "The Mexican," "Doctor Love," and "Broken Cloud" are some of the band's sharpest, while the flitting and wavering of the trumpet, fluegelhorn, and even the violin add some appreciated brilliance to some of the heavier pieces. The tracks from the Babe Ruth album, especially "Jack O'Lantern" and "Fistful of Dollars," show a casual drift toward a rockier future, which was confirmed on later (and weaker) releases like Stealin' Home and Kids Stuff from the mid-'70s. Although First Base makes for a solid listen, Grand Slam is the most opportune route to experience the best part of Babe Ruth's jazz-infused rock at one sitting. ~ Mike DeGagne

Product Details

Release Date:	09/28/2018
Label:	Music On Cd
UPC:	8718627225998
Rank:	54312

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Babe Ruth   Primary Artist
David Hewitt   Bass (Electric)
Brent Carter   Sax (Tenor)
Ed Spevock   Drums,Percussion
Steve Girl   Harmonium,Keyboards
Gaspar Lawal   Congas,Voices,Percussion
Dick Powell   Drums,Percussion
Ray Harris   Flugelhorn
London Symphony Orchestra   Orchestra
Alan Shacklock   Guitar,Vocals,Conductor,Mellotron,Organ (Hammond),Moog Synthesizer,Musical Director
Ron Carthy   Trumpet
Angelito Perez   Congas,Cowbell,Timbales
Chris Holmes   Fender Rhodes,Organ (Hammond)
Janita Haan   Vocals
Dave Punshon   Piano (Grand),Piano (Electric)
Steve Gregory   Flute,Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
Bud Beadle   Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

Ennio Morricone   Composer
John Georgiadis   Leader
David Hewitt   Group Member
Ashley Howe   Engineer
Guy Massey   Engineer,Assistant
Roger Dean   Cover Design
Miguel Llobet   Arranger
Ed Spevock   Group Member
Nick Mobbs   Producer
Kete Go   Engineer
Chris Lawson   Engineer
David Tickle   Mixing,Engineer,Recording
John Iles   Engineer
Dick Powell   Group Member
Peter Mew   Sonic Solutions
Jesse Winchester   Composer
Gered Mankowitz   Photography
Alan Shacklock   Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Group Member,Orchestration
Phil Smee   Package Design
Steve Girl   Group Member
Hipgnosis   Cover Design
Chris Holmes   Group Member
Llobet   Arranger
Nick Webb   Digital Remastering
Janita Haan   Composer,Group Member
Dave Punshon   Group Member
Tim Chacksfield   Project Coordinator
Tony Clark   Engineer
Traditional   Composer
Paul May   Cover Design
Steve Rowland   Producer