I picked this up (and the follow up album) in a bargain box sale.
I knew nothing about them but they were on Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label.
The sharp threads on the back sleeve picture, the art work and the fact that it was recorded in LA in 1977 did not bode well. At best it was going to be mainstream power poppy new wave though it was a little too early for that. At worst it was going to be nondescript arena / stadium rock which LA was throwing out in a hope of fending off all the new sounds of the emerging new wave.
These arena rock bands were inevitably made up of musicians who had the skills and who had been playing in bands for years …Silver Condor, Heart, Journey. Loverboy, Foreigner, Montrose, Boston, Toto, Piper etc
The music was usually no different to the established arena rock bands … 70s Kinks, The Who, Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Styx, 70s Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Bad Company etc
Arena rock had its roots in the late 60s hard rock but became a sound unto itself when elements of prog rock were added in the 70s and the rough edges were smoothed out for wider commercial exposure. The music was loud, slick and radio friendly. Perfect for driving to. FM radio picked up on it and flogged it creating a market for itself and the bands. The albums were a mix of hard rock songs and sweeping (usually over the top) power ballads.
It lasted well into the 80s.
These guys were the "new dinosaurs" of rock. Steadfast, and dominant, in a landscape that was changing.
And they had hard work ahead of them. The old arena rock bands had their hits fro the 60s and 70s to spiffy up and fall back on if all else went poorly. These guys had to reinvent the wheel.
A little of this music goes a long way with me. I know the bands tended to be album oriented but for me, its the singles that I like, when I like the music.
The music was rarely original, by that I mean that this sub-genres boundaries were very firm. Once the pattern had been made new bands rarely went outside of it. That's why the singles work for me.
Assuming the band could work up a good single
I'm hoping that Detective, being on Swan Song may have an edge.
Allmusic describe the band as, "Detective's sound fell somewhere between their Swan Song label-mates Bad Company and Pretty Things, but they never acquired the arena fame of the first or the longevity of the latter. Their lineup appeared unlikely at first blush — it included former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye, bass player Bobby Pickett, and lusty frontman Michael Des Barres. But together they created a slick, unified sound that ranged from crowing blues to stadium-friendly ballads. Despite friendly encouragement from Jimmy Page and sharp production values, Detective never really hit it big …" https://www.allmusic.com/artist/detective-mn0000244088
The band (which was formed around 1975 in LA), interestingly, was an Anglo-American supergroup band which was not uncommon at the time (Beck, Bogert & Appice, Derek and the Dominos etc) though, here, the "super" was more "superboy" than "superman" as the members were more second tier (and I don't mean that in a demeaning way, just that they weren't in supergroups)
Personnel:
- Michael Des Barres – lead vocals – Englishman Des Barres formed Silverhead in England in 1972 and recorded two albums with them before disbanding in 1974. (he went on to solo albums, plating with Chequered Past, Power Station and acting)
- Michael Monarch – guitars – American Monarch was the original lead guitarist with Steppenwolf (until 1969), and played on all their early hits (he went onto solo work and playing with 1960s and 1970s rockers in the supergroup World Classic Rockers.
- Tony Kaye (aka Tony Selvidge) – keyboards – Englishman Kaye was in Yes from 1968 to 1971, before forming Badger, touring with Bowie and joining Detective. (He went on to join Badfinger for their last album, rejoin Yes and do session work).
- Bobby Pickett – bass, backing vocals – American Pickett (not the 'Monster Mash' guy) had been in psych rockers Sugarloaf
- Jon Hyde – drums, backing vocals, percussion – American Hyde was the singer for the early 1970s group Hokus Pokus (which also included Michael Monarch). He went on to play in Monarch)
Detective put out three albums. Two in 1977 and then a live set in 1978 (which was a promo for radio stations rather than a general release commercial release)
Jimmy Page was an enthusiast of the band (he had them signed to his label and produced half of this album). He apparently said "They were good. That first album of theirs, it was really good. It should have been more popular, shouldn't it?" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_(band)
The album is produced Andy Johns and Detective with four tracks produced by Jimmy Page under the pseudonym Jimmy Robinson A2, A3, B2, B5)
So, on to listen to my first Detective album ….
Whoa … vocals right from the Rod Stewart throat box …
Tracks (best in italics)
Side One
- Recognition – (Michael Des Barres, Pamela Des Barres, Michael Monarch) – what starts as a bluesy statement remains so, though backing vocals are added to make it more pop.
- Got Enough Love – (M. Des Barres, P. Des Barres, Monarch) – channelling Rod Stewart. I would be okay for 1972 but in 1977 it sounded definitely primitive (and not in a good way).
- Grim Reaper – (M. Des Barres, Monarch, Bobby Pickett, Jon Hyde) – Grim alright (you knew that was coming). Blues dirge with some Led Zeppelin attempted sonics.
- Nightingale – (Monarch, Hyde) – anything called "Nightingale" would have to be a ballad. Not good one though. It does get frantic in the closing minute or so, for no point.
Side Two
- Detective Man – (Monarch, Hyde) – this one jugs along nicely.
- Ain't None Of Your Business – (Lew Anderson, Becky Hobbs) – another mid-tempo-ish blues shouter
- Deep Down – (Monarch, Pickett) – an instrumental
- Wild Hot Summer Nights – (Monarch, Hyde) – lets get funky
- One More Heartache – (Monarch, Hyde) – hmmm
And …
It sounds like everything else from the time. It is a Dr Frankenstein creation … Rod Stewart fronting Bad Company with Jeff Beck on guitar … It is five years to late and it should have been a lot better given the talent. I will tape a couple of songs and sell.
Chart Action
US
Singles
—
Album
1977 #135
England
nothing
Sounds
Whole album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrMIbyOiJY&list=PL98Uu4j4z1XZbr2GuGvwWnTrFxRswIalQ
Recognition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fiDYg6E8IU
Got Enough Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrMIbyOiJY&list=RDeBrMIbyOiJY&start_radio=1
Detective Man
mp3 attached
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6shnrGdSC0&list=PL9_t3e-YYaNMEJBPoDFWPl-i6LrCCSIKe&t=0s&index=5
Review
https://www.allmusic.com/album/detective-mw0000317745
Bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_(band)
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/detective-mn0000244088
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Des_Barres
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Monarch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Kaye_(musician)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Hyde
Website
—
Trivia
- After Des Barres left, apparently, "the other three members decided to try to salvage the band and with support from Atlantic started looking for a replacement singer. Atlantic management was reportedly interested in seeing singer/songwriter John Cougar step into the role. Working with produced Tom Dowd the revamped line up apparently recorded some material for a planned third studio set, but the project was quickly abandoned". http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/DETECTIVE.htm
