Parachute Review

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Parachute ReviewLike many Americans in the 70's, I somehow never got a good listen to this one (fifth album, recorded at Abby Road studios) back then, but I had seen it before in others record collections (especially when I was in Europe). On the inner cover the inscription reads: "The only Rolling Stone Album of the Year never to sell a million - typical!". How the #$^* did that happen? It is easy to just figure that if it wasn't more popular, there must be a reason ... DON'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE! This is a lost classic!! The lack of sales was a case of badly handled promotion (Motown Rare Earth) and publicity ... at least in America, to our detriment! I'm listening to it AGAIN now (it has been like afternoon tea these days), I just don't get sick of it at all and regularly jam to it on guitar, bass & drums. Yes, I'm a sucker for these old-school acid-rock albums ... they really inspire me for some reason. The artwork and additions are great as well!
For starters, the package on this limited addition import remaster is top
shelf - they really pulled out the stops to give this band and album the
classy presentation they deserve. The original lyrics are included with
many cool pictures (promotional and album art) and a long essay with band
history, thoughts and remembrances. A track by track explanation is added as well, although formal notes would have been helpful for the complete picture.
There is something represented about what I love from the era in just about all of the songs, although it is hard to describe - Kind of an emotional, not intellectual basis in most cases. The songs go all over the place and play on many an emotion, which makes sense considering the disconnected 1970's were just beginning and the intense, idealistic psychedelic 60's were fading fast. That is part of the key - Buffalo Springfield, The Dead, J.Airplane, Moody Blues, Beatles & The Byrds (and many others) seem to have been an influence from the 60's, but there is a walloping dose of a Deep Purplish, Zeppelin, Doors, Floyd, early Chicago & Cream (even Hendrix) feel often too (among others) bringing an underlying heavyish feel. Yes, Parachute is kind of the best of both worlds in a way ... one of those rare albums! Picture it (cover): Love, Peace and mellow thoughts cruising in the '69 Z-28 down the highway with your girlfriend snuggling up close after 2001 Space Odyssey, but anxious to get back to the Marshall amp, Strat & Crybaby (and the latest colorful import - Yes this IS stoner music).
Musicianship shines all over Parachute too! Skip Alan's muscular drum intro (took over from prior drummer Twink) kicks everything off nicely, you get a sense that you just might be in for a treat. New 18 year old
guitarist Peter Tolson just joined the band and provides the bad-ass, explosive guitar riffs and chunky chords throughout (often through a Leslie). This formation of the band has great chemistry and form a
short-lived but excellent combo (with Wally, Phil and Jon). The vocal harmonies are usually very good and the older members provide a Pretty Things core formation on the melodic/harmonic side (great bass on here
too). A few eclectic instruments are heard here and there with no notes as to who performed on them.
I hesitate getting into which song I like for whichever reason - There are 13 songs on the original album, most outstanding examples of trippy rock (Mr.Square/She Was Tall, In The Square, Rain, Midnight Circus, Grass, She's a Lover and the Parachute fade are favorites so far). Six GREAT extras are included: Blue Serge Blues is a first rate song making fun of the British police's hippie busting (sounds a bit like the Airplane), if these are throwaways ...? October 26 about the presumably about the Russian revolution but winking at the 60's revolutionaries in general - There are some nice biting and sharp guitar wah leads flowing through the languid atmosphere of the song. Cold Stone is a head slammer 70's anthem style: "This world is just cold stoned" ... presaging many a 70's blues rock band (think Humble Pie). Stonehearted Momma "really make it hard on me" is the classic rock 'n' roll male lament with some totally pulsating heavy guitar power chords and doubled guitar talkbox/echo leads - OH YES, no holds are barred with this band! Summer Time is a Youngbloods/Allman's sounding happy-go-lucky rollicking jam that is charming as that tulip on the cover (close your eyes and your there, sun on your face). Circus Mind is a nice closer for this extended version - a parable for the whole scene, I can relate ... go ahead and take the hand (cover). A little over 63 minutes of head-swimming fun, TURN IT UP AND ENJOY OFTEN!
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