McPhee - McPhee


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Akarma
Catalog Number: AK 207
Format: LP
Total Time: 00:00:00

The Australian band McPhee released their self-titled album originally in 1970 on the Violets Holiday label; in 2002, Akarma Records based in Italy, re-released the album on 180-gram vinyl.

Side 1 reveals a group with the capabilities of playing strong rock music with hints of blues around the fringes. Their version of "Southern Man" is not great but it is adequate considering how difficult it is imitate another artists' material. "Wrong Time" is good song showing the band's strengths. Notably, Faye Lewis contributes striking vocals throughout this album. Her voice was perfect for rock songs, along the lines of Grace Slick. Side 2 does not fair so well until the last song plays. Their covers of "Superstar" and "I Am The Walrus" are terrible, however "Out To Lunch" is a fantastic instrumental that puts them on an entirely different level; in fact, one would never know it was the same band had it not been on the same album! That one song is worth reserving your seat for the show. With a blistering combination of jazz-rock-blues fusion, they demonstrate how they were an extremely talented group of musicians with tons of potential.

I could see them becoming a leader in the realm of progressive rock if they had stayed together and continued to record. As far as I know this was their only album and I really do not know where the members of the group ended up. I could not find too much on the Internet about them.

This album is solid and certainly worth checking out.


Tracklisting:
Side One: The Wrong Time / Sunday Shuffle / Southern Man / Indian Rope Man

Side Two: Superstar / I Am The Walrus / Out To Lunch

Musicians:
Jim Deverell - organ, electric piano, vocals
Faye Lewis - vocals, percussion
Terry Popple - drums
Benny Kaika ? bass

Discography:
McPhee (1971/2002)

Genre: Rock

Origin AU

Added: February 23rd 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 1839
Language: english

  

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