RARE '70s MICRO-ORIG 1st ROCKETS (TAX LOSS SCAM LP) JIM McCARTY CACTUS HARD
$
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ORIGINAL 1977 FIRST PRESS RARE!!!!
== THE ROCKETS ==
\ USA - GUINNESS - 36043
MINT TOP COPY!
RARE! Original 1977 micro-quantity first pressing on the infamous GUINNESS label, known for their small releases that were meant only as tax loss write offs, a scam that worked in the shady underworld business. As a result, the Rockets 1st LP is extremely hard to find and unknown by many. A shame as it's a first rate hard rocker led by sparking turn-on guitar from Jim McCarty who not only smoked with Cactus, but, was invited to jam with Jimi Hendrix.
Since we know little to nothing about the background of this LP -- here are a few overview notes by the Badcat records crew who are found on the web with a tantalizing display of worthy rarities...as follows:
....I guess it shouldn't come as a major surprise, but I've never seen a Rockets discography that includes this 1977 release. Similarly I've never seen the album discussed by any of the band members in an interview. The fact that the cleverly titled "Rockets" was issued by the tax scam Guinness label and may have been of questionable legality probably had something to do with those omissions ... who knows.
The Rockets started out as a post Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels & "Detroit" (the hard rock band led by Mitch Ryder) enterprise led by singer/drummer John "The Bee" Badanjek. The line up was rounded out by bassist John Fraga, keyboardist Marc Marcano, and former Detroit wheel & CUCTUS) mighty lead guitarist Jim McCarty. Their earlier successes with the Detroit Wheels were of little help when it came to scoring a recording contract and the the quartet spent several years plugging away on Michigan's club circuit.
In 1976 the band underwent a personnel shake up that saw former Amboy Duke vocalist Steve Gilbert added to the line up (Ted Nugent had kicked him out of the band for his drinking and drugging).
Released in 1977, "Rockets" seems to have been an effort to capitalize on the strong reviews surrounding the release of the band's 1977 RCA Victor debut "Love Transfusion". Unfortunately, as typical for a Guinness release, the liner notes provided little information on the set. The vocals were split between Badanjek and Gilbert indicating at least some of the tracks were recorded post-1975 when Gilbert was added to the line up. This is nothing but speculation on my part, but I'm guessing the material was culled from tracks the band had previously recorded when they signed with Don Davis' Tortoise label. That, or it may have reflected outtakes from sessions for their debut album. Another story that I've heard is that the material reflected tapes the band had financed themselves, but abandoned in a dispute with the studio owner. The studio subsequently unloaded the master tapes on Guinness at a heavy discount. Regardless, produced by William S. Evans, the six tracks all featured surprisingly good sound quality. So what do the songs actually sound like?
- John "The Bee" Badanjek -- drums, percussion (X-DETROIT & DETROIT WHEELS)
- John Fraga -- bass
- David Gilbert (RIP) -- lead vocals (X-AMBOY DUKES)
- Marc Marcano -- keyboards
- Jim McCarty -- lead guitar (X-CACTUS)
- Dennis Robbins -- rhythm guitar
- In spite of the odd title (which seems to be a girl's name), powered by Gilbert's amazing bluesy voice 'Lufrania' was a first rate rocker that had considerable potential.
- The extended instrumental 'Juke Box' was a plodding blues number that shines by McCarty's nice slide guitar work.
- Another bar band blues number, 'Rocket Car Wash Blues' featured Badanjek on lead vocals. Not bad, but easy to see why the band decided to bring in Gilbert as lead singer. Guitarist McCarty IN the spotlight on this one.
- With Gilbert handling vocals, 'Feel Alright' was another feel-good party anthem that had considerable potential. In fact this one was as good, if not better than anything on their acclaimed RCA debut. Spotlight the Great McCarty guitar theatrics! With a little judicious editing (the track clocked in at over seven minutes), it could've been a hit.
- The less-than-original title wouldn't give you much hope, which made the rocking boogie 'Rock 'n' Roll' an even bigger surprise. True, there wasn't a single original note or though on this one, but kicked along by guitarist McCarty, this one actually managed to generate quite a bit of energy by the time it concluded. Very nice and perhaps a favorite track.
- An atypical acoustic blues number, 'Working Band Blues' was a major surprise. Gilbert was a major surprise on this one, turning in a surprisingly restrained and impressive performance. McCarty turned in an amazing slide performance. Fantastic track that should even appeal to folks who don't like acoustic blues.
- In this instance the title track "Rockets" was a pretty good indicator of what to expect ... a cookin' boogie rocker. It probably even sounded better in a club setting after you'd had a couple of beers.
For a throwaway/tax loss/scam LP, "THE ROCKETS" album is overall surprisingly strong and enjoyable. Certainly better than their other LP's with big name producers like Jack Douglas.
(side 1)
1.) Lufrania (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 4:31
2.) Juke Box Daddy (instrumental) (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 7:53
3.) Rocket Car Wash Blues (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 7:40
(side 2)
1.) Feel Alright (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 7:10
2.) Rock 'n' Roll (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 5:34
3.) Working Man Blues (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 2:48
4.) Thing in 'D' (Jim McCarty - John Badanjek) - 3:35
Sadly, having lived the true rock and roll lifestyle which included overdoses of drugs, wine, and women, lead singer Gilbert died of cirrhosis and liver cancer in September 2001. He was only 49.
True to the rock and roll lifestyle, late-inning bassist Bob Neil Haralson died in a drug deal turned sour.
CONDITION: The cover: sharp and crisp rated M- delete mark at top right corner, all very fresh original colors, no split seams, no bends, and no writing ... collection worthy rarity ...
The vinyl: Clean and glossy over both sides, rated" sharp MINT, looks fantastic, so expect play grade to be "perfect"...NO distracting surface problems ... both Guinness labels are clean
A cool addition to anyone's music library!
SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...
EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING
All imperfections are noted both cover & record
NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks! GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction! ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!
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