Johnny’s last good charting album was "Realization" from 1968 (#5US Pop) though “L.A. Reggae” from 1972 had reached #78 US Pop (probably as a result of a hit single from the album, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" which went to #6US Pop.
In any event two years is a long time in Pop music let alone six to his last hit album.
And, of course, record labels are concerned with sales, and any new sounds that would help them get to that end.
Johnny Rivers, despite dipping his toes into blue eyed soul, reggae, light psychedelia, and folk rock was, essentially, an old school rock ‘n’ roller (who wasn’t adverse to rock ‘n’ roll revival).
And, in 1974, old school rock ‘n’ roll was on the way back in, though it was dressed up a bit.
Prima facie, it is odd, then, that his label (United Artists) cast him adrift.
But, they had given him a chance over his previous three albums.
A big chance.
Those albums were designed to catch the ear of the public.
They didn’t.
He genre hoped (perhaps too much for some punters) but he tended to incorporate all the new current influences into his sounds and never let them overwhelm his personality as a white rock “n’ pop roller.
Here he continues in the same manner with reggae, singer songwriter, pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country rock sounds.
It was in many ways continuing the sounds of his four previous albums, "Homegrown" (1970), "Slim Slo Slider" (1971), “L.A. Reggae” (1973), and “Blue Suede Shoes” (1973) which was especially heavy on country rock which was (still) popular at the time.
But, Atlantic records took a chance on him.
What he did differently for this album was to leave L.A. to record elsewhere, for the first time ever (?). He recorded at Muscle Shoals, Alabama (then very hot as a recording spot) and Nashville (then hot for west coast musicians looking for authentic country flavours). He is backed by Linda Ronstadt and Herb Pedersen on vocals, and by A-grade session musicians from Muscle Shoals and Nashville.
Everything was right but it still didn’t catch on.
It should have, it is a minor gem, unjustifiably underrated.
I assume the problem is that despite the fine musicianship, sterling country production and flavourful grooves it is a little familiar
It sold nothing.
The record sold so poorly that its follow-up, "New Lovers and Old Friends", originally slated for release on Atlantic, was dropped by the label until Rivers convinced the Epic label to lease the masters. That also sold poorly though a single taken from it, a cover of the Beach Boys "Help Me, Rhonda" went to #22 Pop US and validated his faith in the material.
Produced by Johnny Rivers & Bob Montgomery.
Tracks (best in italics)
Side One
- Lights on the Highway – (Mark Bookin / Michael DeTemple) – Bookin and DeTemple are Los Angles musicians (and music industry workers). This song seems to have been first recorded by Rivers. Big country rock, quite slick but quite good.
- Wait a Minute – (Herb Pedersen) – written by country rock, country singer songwriter Pedersen of the Desert Rose Band and subsequently recorded by him on his Southwest (1976) album. This well done country rock.
- Geronimo's Cadillac – (Michael Martin Murphey / Charles John Quarto) – Michael Murphy's 1972 hit (US #37) also included on his debut album of the same name. The song is gently ironical regarding the clash of cultures. Here it is with more plaintiveness than Murphey's own version. And it is excellent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo%27s_Cadillac_(Michael_Martin_Murphey_song)
- I Like Your Music – (Sonny Curtis) – Written by country singer sonny Curtis this was recorded by Anne Murray on her 1972 LP "Annie". Curtis released his version in 1981. A pop ballad with country overtones. Maudlin and "uplifting" and yet another song where music is allegorical for life.
- Sitting in Limbo – (Gully Bright / Jimmy Cliff) – First recorded by its author, reggae singer, Jimmy Cliff and released on his "Another Cycle" (1971) album as well as on the influential The Harder They Come (Soundtrack) (1972). Pop with reggae influences (or, rather, calypso) which sounds more like Jimmy Buffet. https://www.allmusic.com/song/sitting-in-limbo-mt0034575458
Side Two (Back Road)
- Six Days on the Road – (Earl Green / Carl Montgomery) – Dave Dudley’s hit (#2 Country, #32 Pop US) from 1963. Rivers has given this a rock "n" roll revival feel, which was popular at the time. Wonderful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Days_on_the_Road
- See You Then – (Jimmy Webb) – originally done by Webb on his "And So: On" (1971) album. A typical lyrically wonderful (and crescendo filled) Webb singer-songwriter song.
- A Good Love Is Like a Good Song – (Casey Kelly) – from Casey Kelly's self-titled album from 1972. This a gentle mid-tempo old time country-ish song (with a life and music allegory) has some nice fiddle and guitar picking and, great backing vocals by The Jordanaires.
- Artists and Poets – (Michael Georgiades / Johnny Rivers) – dedicated to Jim Croce, Gram Parsons, and Bobby Darin. A good tribute though quite mushy.
Now that he's gone, will his songs live on?
Will someone remember what he gave?
Stars in the skies, tears in your eyes
Ooh, it made me feel so good inside
- Breath – (Michael Georgiades) – Michael Georgiades is a frequent collaborator of Johnny Rivers and subsequently recorded a duo album with Bernie Leadon (The Eagles). Lots of steel guitar in this country pop mid tempo ballad. Quite good.
And …
Patchy but very listenable and it certainly deserved to do better in the charts … I'm keeping it.
Chart Action
US
Singles
1974 Six Days on the Road #106 US Pop, #58 US Country
Album
—
England
Nothing
Sounds
Lights on the Highway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxms3bCPZfA
Wait a Minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5toKpFkrVw
Geronimo's Cadillac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQZtl27F8vY
I Like Your Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdTcP0ouxc
Sitting in Limbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9DCCCeNqYA
Six Days on the Road
mp3 attached
Artists and Poets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgBLFR9_vM
Breath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozfim3z-53M
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAc0FKyBgks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5R-_ZUf0wY
Review
—
Bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Rivers
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-rivers-mn0000203639/biography
Excellent Glenn A Baker bio on Rivers
https://www.whiskyagogo.com/articles/609999.html
Website
http://www.johnnyrivers.com/jr/
Trivia
- Personnel: Acoustic Guitar – John Reid / Bass – David Hood (tracks: A5, B5), Mike Leech (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4) / Drums – Jerry Carrigan (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4) / Drums, Percussion – Roger Hawkins (tracks: A5, B5) / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Pete Carr (tracks: A5, B5), Reggie Young (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4) / Guitar – Jimmy Johnson (4) (tracks: A5, B5) / Keyboards – Ron Oates (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B4) / Piano – Barry Beckett (tracks: A5, B5) / Steel Guitar, Dobro – Bobbe Seymour. Strings arranged by Jimmy Webb.: S1 S5, S2 S2, S2 S5. Strings arranged by Ernie Freeman : S1 S1, S1 S4, S2 S4.
- The inner sleeve has a curious photo of a UFO (curious not because of the photo itself but the fact that a UFO has nothing to do with any of the songs.
