Max
Gronenthal’s second of three solo albums is a great example of how not to
package, promote or sequence what could have been a tremendous LP.
The sleeve
gives nothing away about the artist. His
surname only appears in the musician credits – otherwise, this album is called Max,
by Max. And such credits aside, the
album sleeve contains no information about the artist or his music. No musical genre is even hinted at by the
artwork – this could be a country, blues, rock, new wave or even a disco album.
No adverts
or promotion accompanied the album. The record was not heard on the radio, no
singles were issued. Although, in defence,
the musical climate in 1980 (especially in the UK) was not exactly sympathetic
to the type of music contained on this record. FM rock radio was not yet established this side of the Atlantic. Anyone
who actually purchased this record would therefore have either seen him on
stage (back in the USA) or might have heard it blasting out of the sound system
of various East Anglian record stores.
Behind the
counter, it was a store policy to play through the new releases – most of which
arrived on a Monday morning. The shop was usually quiet
and it was a good time to listen to what was new, and hopefully, good. Not forgetting, we needed some idea of where
to file albums by previously unheard new artists. And it was nice to be able to offer some sort
of opinion to enquiring customers, based on actually having heard the records
in question.
We had a
nice set of Goodmans RB20 speakers in the shop, which sounded exceptionally
clear and punchy - ideally suited to the tight R & B and West Coast rock of
Max Gronenthal. The first three tracks - I’ve Got Something
Here For You, Rockin’ Chair and the six-minute guitar-duelling epic, Shana - were
enough for me to pull the album out of the racks and put it in the staff
purchase box with my name on the bag. The rest of the album, whilst pleasant,
was nowhere by comparison. But songs 1
to 3 were worth the £3.99. Less store
discount.
Which leads
me to the slipshod running order of this LP.
Four great songs can make one fabulous LP, provided that one of each is
put at the beginning and end of each side. Whatever songs remain can be used to
fill-in between the real stand-out tracks - with clever sequencing such an LP
can sound truly stunning and memorable. Max
contains 3½ great songs - the best three were used as the openers on side 1. I have been sorely tempted to re-sequence the
record myself (and to cut altogether the awful version of Paul Simon’s Have A
Good Time). But I’ll leave that pleasure
to you - fool around with the playlist editor as much as you like.
Max Gronenthal released one more album as Max Carl (real name) and went on to sing for Tower Of Power, Grand Funk Railroad, Jack Mack & The Heart Attack and 38 Special. Unsurprisingly, Max has never been issued on CD. Meanwhile, Max Gronenthal has one of the best voices in rock music. Check out our vinyl rip of this completely – and cruelly - overlooked album.
1.
I've Got Something Here For You
2.
Rockin' Chair
3.
Shana
4.
Have A Good Time
5.
Where Do You Go
6.
Say It Again
7.
Here We Go Again
8.
Near To You
9.
Love Shows
10.
Roll Home
Chrysalis 1278 (1980)
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