Windmills
Windmills" is a fine, fine album, but the import's price tag is out of my league. Tracks on this, Roberts' first solo album, include the stirring "Deliver Me," the cautionary "Davy McVie," a nifty cry-in-your-beer number titled "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" (I believe Emmylou Harris was on harmony vocals), "In A Dream" (David Crosby on harmony), and "Drunk And Dirty" (with Jackson Browne). Roberts was (and surely must still be) highly regarded by many top-flight musicians, so "Windmills" featured Al Perkins, Chris Hillman, Dallas Taylor, and several members of the Eagles. Its follow-up, "She Is A Song," featured Joe Walsh and Barnstorm plus Hillman and other luminaries.
Of the two Rick Roberts solo albums, "Windmills" is by far the stronger and more reflective. Still, "She Is A Song" has some excellent tracks on it ("Lights," the rocker "Sweet Maria," the steel-happy "She Made Me Lose My Blues" and the beautifully rendered break-up song, "Glad To Be Goin'"). I also liked Roberts' work on the 1971 Flying Burrito Brothers "blue" album ("Colorado" is a beaut) and the first Firefall album (1976) -- "Mexico" and "Livin' Ain't Livin" hint at the style he'd perfected on his two solo albums -- but "Windmills" is a singer-songwriter gem from 1972. His seafaring lament, "Sail Away," is a stone classic of the genre.
So c'mon, A&M, remaster the man's two solo albums on your domestic label and issue them at an affordable price. You'll be our new best (corporate) friend.
Believe it or not, the 'Blue' Burrito LP/CD was the best Gram-less FBB LP ever released. Great stuff, and Rick had a lot to do w/ it. Rick Roberts followed w/ 2 solo Lp's before starting Firefall. Both "Windmills" and the follow-up, "She Is A Song" are great Lp's/CD's. Once these 2 became available on 1 CD, I scooped it up. I still own the 2 Lp's w/ their collective scratches. LP covers are still collectibles and timeless.
Gram always spoke kindly of Rick. After Gram left the FBB, he would still cover for Rick if Rick couldn't make a gig. Somehow, Emmylou would also accomodate.
If you like the 'Blue' FBB LP and the 1st Firefall Lp, you'll love 'Windmills' and 'She Is A Song' by Rick Roberts. Classic stuff, not one weak song, my fave is 'Pick Me Up On Your Way Down'. Great version. Both of these Rick Roberts solo efforts are worth getting/purchasing.
Of the two Rick Roberts solo albums, "Windmills" is by far the stronger and more reflective. Still, "She Is A Song" has some excellent tracks on it ("Lights," the rocker "Sweet Maria," the steel-happy "She Made Me Lose My Blues" and the beautifully rendered break-up song, "Glad To Be Goin'"). I also liked Roberts' work on the 1971 Flying Burrito Brothers "blue" album ("Colorado" is a beaut) and the first Firefall album (1976) -- "Mexico" and "Livin' Ain't Livin" hint at the style he'd perfected on his two solo albums -- but "Windmills" is a singer-songwriter gem from 1972. His seafaring lament, "Sail Away," is a stone classic of the genre.
So c'mon, A&M, remaster the man's two solo albums on your domestic label and issue them at an affordable price. You'll be our new best (corporate) friend.
Believe it or not, the 'Blue' Burrito LP/CD was the best Gram-less FBB LP ever released. Great stuff, and Rick had a lot to do w/ it. Rick Roberts followed w/ 2 solo Lp's before starting Firefall. Both "Windmills" and the follow-up, "She Is A Song" are great Lp's/CD's. Once these 2 became available on 1 CD, I scooped it up. I still own the 2 Lp's w/ their collective scratches. LP covers are still collectibles and timeless.
Gram always spoke kindly of Rick. After Gram left the FBB, he would still cover for Rick if Rick couldn't make a gig. Somehow, Emmylou would also accomodate.
If you like the 'Blue' FBB LP and the 1st Firefall Lp, you'll love 'Windmills' and 'She Is A Song' by Rick Roberts. Classic stuff, not one weak song, my fave is 'Pick Me Up On Your Way Down'. Great version. Both of these Rick Roberts solo efforts are worth getting/purchasing.
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