West, Bruce $ Laing - Why Dontcha (1972) Reissued 2007 [FLAC] Level 8

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WEST, BRUCE & LAING - WHY DONTCHA [FLAC] Level 8

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Ripped with MAX in FLAC Level 8

Total size: 277 MB

Full artwork included @300dpi



When Cream split up in 1966, their abrupt departure left a gaping void in the musical firmament. What outfit could possible fill the gap left buy the “supergroup” that once starred Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce? Fans were left bereft and musicians were presented with a quandary. What Next? was the question uppermost in their troubled minds. Fortunately, nothing remains static in the ever-expanding rock’ n’ roll cosmos. As Clapton and Baker launched their next project - Blind Faith - Jack Bruce embarked on a solo career that would lead to all kinds of exciting liaisons. He was no doubt spurred on by the subconscious cry of “Well... why don’t cha?” By 1972 he was involved in a new group that harked back to the heyday of Cream and featured two of America’s finest musicians, guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing.



West, Bruce and Laing may not have set out to emulate their predecessor, but they sure played the same brand of heavy blues-rock Cream has pioneered. Jack Bruce’s first inclination on leaving Cream has been to record jazz-fusion albums and write mystical songs. West, Bruce and Laing pointed towards a less complex musical landscape with greater chart potential. The three men who made up the new group were a formidable crew of talented virtuosos. They adopted a tougher style than Mountain, epitomised by the 10 dynamic tracks on their debut album “Why Dontcha (1972).



The title track, written by Corky Laing sets the pace with a grinding guitar riff and throaty vocals. It sounds like the template for the kind of heavy metal that evolved during the 1970s and dominated the scene for the next twenty years. Out Into The Fields is more melodic with sprightly bass lines and Cream style breaks. Jack Bruce may well be responsible for the piano and organ overdubs, as he is no mean keyboard player.

The Doctor is taken at high speeds with raucous vocals and Who style riffs. Leslie West gest stuck into some great guitar work and there can be only one response to this kind of groove. Boogie! Turn Me Over is a well-produced blues theme with Mr. Bruce taking the vocals. He is certainly the singer on Third Degree, a slow traditional style blues that recalls Sleepy Time Time, an old Cream favourite.

Shake Ma Thing has boogie style piano and is the kind of rave up the Rolling Stones would enjoy. While You Sleep is a gentle ballad with soulful vocals that provides a neat contrast to yet more boogie on the aptly named Pleasure. Hard, driving bass guitar underpins this rock’ n’ roll opus with Jack’s vocals including visions of wild nights in his native Glasgow.

Love Is Worth The Blues has angry buzzing guitar and stomping drums on a fast lively tune that epitomises the West, Bruce and Laing style. Pollution Woman however seems more commercial with hit single aspirations. There is a 60s psychedelic feel about the freaky vocals and much Claptonesque guitar.



Their well received debut got number 26 on the US album charts and was followed by Whatever Turns You On (1973). The group toured extensively and stayed together longer than the first version of Mountain. However, the group eventually ran out of stream and a live album Live ‘N’ Kickin’ (1974), featured a version of Jack Bruce’s composition Politician, was released after the dream band had broken up.



Tracklisting:



1 Why Dontcha 3:03

2 Out Into The Fields 4:41

3 The Doctor 4:30

4 Turn Me Over 2:45

5 Third Degree 5:16

6 Shake Ma Thing (Rollin Jack) 3:16

7 While You Sleep 3:25

8 Pleasure 4:00

9 Love Is Worth The Blues 4:13

10 Pollution Woman 4:27



Enjoy!