I like Johnny Rivers but, to be fair, he always seemed to have an eye on what was happening around him. Most musicians do I suspect, well at least those who want some commercial success do.
It would be reasonable for a cynical voice to say that River's style hopping was more calculated than sincere. I choose not to believe this but say that even if this was true, who cares, the guy has got great taste.
This album is of its time.
1970
Rivers embraces country rock, Jesus rock, Van Morrison, a beard and introspection. But, always the rock n roller at heart, he recruits most of Elvis Presley's' TCB band (that Elvis had put together in mid 1969) to play session for him … as well as most of "The Wrecking Crew" musicians.
Rivers could write a tune but was happier relying on other peoples songs. His skilled lied in interpretation and in subsuming the song into his musical personality without losing whatever made them distinctive or appealing in the first place. And, the songs are, I assume, carefully chosen and by and large he stays away from singles and goes for album tracks.
Here, clearly, he has become obsessed with quiet introspection and rural vibes as channelled through Van Morrison and Gram Parsons. Morrison's "Slim Slow Rider" from his "Astral Weeks" (1968) album is recorded twice and gives the album it's name (albeit as "Slim Slo Rider"). Rivers also covers his "Into the Mystic" which was on Morrison's "Moondance" (1970) album. He also covers two Gram Parsons songs (interestingly Gram Parsons, an Elvisophile himself, was to use the line up Rivers has here for his "GP" (1973) and "Grievous Angel" (1974) albums.
He also covers a couple of James Kendricks songs who had worked with Rivers before (and would again). Kendricks isn't as well known as Morrison or Parsons but was known and was a friend of Rivers. On his "Realization" (1968) album comment I said "Rivers co-songwriter, rhythm guitarist and, no doubt, kindred sprit (given they were friends) on this album was James Hendricks. Hendricks had a folk background having been in The Big Three with Tim Rose and a pre-Mamas and the Papas Cass Elliot. In between a stop start solo career he was also in The Mugwumps with Mama Cass, Zal Yanovsky and Denny Doherty before Mama Cass and Doherty went to The Mamas and the Papas and Yanovsky went to The Lovin Spoonful"
Rivers is quiet and thoughtful on this set and like a lot of people on the west coast he started to embrace different philosophies whilst thinking about the "bigger picture".
“I started becoming introspective and searching for God around ’67 or ’68,” Rivers recalled. “I had joined some yoga groups and was studying a lot of Eastern teachings. I was caught up in that whole movement and I guess it came out in my music". http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/johnny-rivers/features/on-the-road-of-life/
What he has done is make all the songs pop and soul. Strings and horns are added, and not is a cloying or obvious way. This, in his hands is no longer rural, ragged (Gram), spectral, jazzy (Van). It is radio friendly MOR but good MOR.
The sounds are lush and the playing as you would expect is beautiful. Rivers nasal delivery works well and at times on occasion he sounds a little like Gene Clark
Lou Adler produced with Rivers.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Slim Slow Slider – (Van Morrison) – another song about a drug pusher. Originally done by Van Morrison on his "Astral Weeks" (1968) album. This is acoustic intro to the song which is then done again at the end of the album. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Slow_Slider
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Wrote a Song for Everyone – (John Fogerty) – From the Creedence Clearwater Revival "Green River " (1969) album. It's good hearing the
- Muddy River – (James Hendricks) – Hendricks wrote "Summer Rain," which had been a hit single (#14) for Rivers (who produced his debut "Songs Of James Hendricks" 1968 LP). This song subsequently came out on Hendricks self titled 1971 LP.
- Rainy Night in Georgia – (Tony Joe White) – written by Tony Joe White in 1962 and popularized by R&B vocalist Brook Benton in 1970 (#4). Rivers gives a big cover and it comes off really well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainy_Night_in_Georgia
- Brass Buttons – (Gram Parsons) – "Brass Buttons" dated from Parsons' brief stint as a Harvard-based folksinger in the mid-1960s. It subsequently came out on Gram's 1974 LP, "Grievous Angel". This is a beautiful song with great, delicate lyrics. This is the first cover of "Brass Buttons" which went ton to become a favourite.
- Glory Train – (James Hendricks) – Another song from Hendricks that came out on Hendricks self titled 1971 LP. This one has obvious religious references.
- Jesus Is a Soul Man – (Jack Cardwell / Lawrence Reynolds) – The original single by Lawrence Reynolds came out in 1969 (#28). This is a mid tempo rocker celebrating Jesus. Some great guitar by James Burton. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Is_a_Soul_Man
- Apple Tree – (Gram Parsons) – Rivers cut this unrecorded Parsons song . I'm not sure how he got hold of it . It is a wistful tune.
- Into the Mystic – (Van Morrison) – from Van's "Moondance" (1970) LP. More great guitar from Burton and a good performance by Rivers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Mystic
- Resurrection – (Bob Ray) – Los Angeles psych-folkie Bob Ray was signed to Johnny Rivers' Soul City label and this song first appeared on his 1968 release "Initiation of a Mystic"
- Enemies and Friends – (Scott McKenzie) – from Mackenzie's "Stained Glass Morning" (1970) album. More religious overtones. A good song.
- Slim Slow Slider – (Van Morrison) – a reprise of the title track with the full band … and a great performance.
And …
Slick and groovy …. I'm keeping it.
Chart Action
US
Singles
1969 Muddy River The Billboard Hot 100 #41
1970 Into The Mystic The Billboard Hot 100 #51
Album
1970 #100
England
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Sounds
http://recordlective.com/Johnny_Rivers/Slim_Slo_Slider/2985e7d1-76fe-3718-b0bf-1d579aece12d/
Rainy Night in Georgia
mp3 attached
Apple Tree
mp3 attached
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xCIDwC3CwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zajnovNicro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hLfbLhXugs
Review
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Bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Rivers
http://johnnyrivers.com/jr/biography.html
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-rivers-mn0000203639/biography
Website
http://www.johnnyrivers.com/jr/
Trivia
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