DELANEY BRAMLETT
''MOBIUS STRIP''
1973
36:04
**********
01 - Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone 03:22 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
02 - What Am I Doin' (In A Place Like This) 02:59 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
03 - A Young Girl (In Her Garden) 03:44 (Randy Sharp)
04 - Big Ol' Piece Of Blues 02:59 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Glmore)
05 - Circles 05:05 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Glmore)
06 - When A Man Is In Need Of A Woamn 03:25 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
07 - I'm A M-A-N 04:37 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
08 - B.B.'s Blues 03:42 (Billy Burnett, Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
09 - A Little Bit Of You In Me 02:18 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
10 - California Rain 03:51 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
**********
Horn Arrangements, Trumpet - Daryl Leonard
Baritone Saxophone - Jim Gordon (2)
Bass - Robert Wilson
Drums - Ron Grayson
Guitar, Vocals, Percussion - Delaney Bramlett
Horns Section - Daryl Leonard, Jerry Jumonville, Jim Gordon (2)
Organ - Tim Hedding
Piano - Jim Hobson
Tenor Saxophone - Jerry Jumonville
Trombone - Larry Savoie
Guitar (Wa Wa) On 01, Guitar On 04, Guitar Solo On 08 – John Ussery
Congas On 02, 05, 07 - King Ericson
Backing Vocals On 05 - Clydie King, The Hired Choir, Vanetta Fields
Backing Vocals On 06 - Clydie King, Vanetta Fields
Backing Vocals On 09 - Clydie King
Bram-letts Mini Choir On 10 - Becca Bramlett, Chris King, Feda King, Michele Bramlett, Suki King, Susan Bramlett
Bagpipes On 05 - Jim Gordon (2)
Guitar On 05 - Art Munson
Synthesizer On 07, 10 - Craig Portman
Steel Guitar On 09 - Red Rhodes
String Arrangements On 10 - Michael Omartian
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Thom Jurek
Mobius Strip was recorded and released in 1973, during Delaney Bramlett's separation from Bonnie in the wake of their imminent divorce. Amazingly, this doesn't immediately show in the music. In fact, it's more joyous in places than its predecessor, Some Things Coming. That said, one has to wonder if Bramlett was losing it here, given that its opener is titled "Are You a Beatle or a Rolling Stone." By rights it should be dreadful; but it's not. Bramlett's cornball humor aside, the song's tale of life on the road depicts the '70s in all of its decadent glory. It's also a savagely funky R&B-drenched rocker. The band on this set is a bit larger but it's also leaner. Bramlett handles a lot of the backing vocals and percussion himself, offering his true worth as a singer. He plays guitar a lot more, too, each track is shot through his nasty Telecaster and Stratocaster fills and solos. He's got Jim Gordon and Jerry Jumonville on saxes (the latter plays bagpipes à la Rufus Harley on one cut), and George Bohannon handles the charts for the horns on a few tracks: Bramlett does the rest, and uses the same core organ session from Some Things Coming, essentially his road band of bassist Robert G. Wilson, organist Timothy Hedding, and drummer Ron Grayson. The tunes where there are other backing vocals feature Venetta Fields and Chris Thomas King and some group called "the Hired Choir," as well as a "mini-choir" comprising the children of Bramlett, and King (for Fleetwood Mac fanatics, this marks the very first recorded performance of Bekka Bramlett).
The opener and "What Am I Doin' (In a Place Like This)," could have come off Some Things Coming; they're raucous, rowdy, and drenched in the Muscle Shoals horn and rhythm section soul-meets-blues formula that crackles with power and sexual energy. But the change-up happens on the set's third track, a stripped down ballad by Randy Sharp called "A Young Girl (In Her Garden)," that could have been composed by Jimmy Webb. The desperation in Bramlett's vocal reveals his precarious situation, caught between regret and the desire for love in his life. "Big Ol' Piece of Blues," is just what it says it is, and then comes the charging road band soul of "Circles" that offers more naked confessionalism with the amazing call and response backing vocals and choir, in a completely hypnotic vocal pattern that matches the (no pun intended) circular rhythms employed by the drum kit and percussion section. The organ and horns here are transcendent; they offer the singer courage as he bares his ripped up heart and lost sense of purpose for the listener. But the funky, gritty sound that typifies Bramlett's best work is everywhere, and his arrangement for the chorus is astonishing.
"When a Man Is in Need of a Woman" is not a rewrite of the Percy Sledge hit, it's a strictly honest "Let's-look-at-this-without-pretense," delivery that may be sung right out to Bonnie, or it may be sung to the heavens. Damn! The slide work and special synth effects on "I'm a M-A-N" are a change-up for the first few seconds before Bramlett roars like a lion and lets his slide do the talking, challenging Bohannon's horns to go the distance with him. Jim Hobson's piano is poignant here and is the only thing that keeps the piece on the ground. The set closes with "California Rain," a ballad with Bramlett on his 12-string guitars, a B-3, piano, and a skeletal bassline that is every bit as poignant as any singer/songwriter tune that's ever been laid down, but Bramlett's singing is as expressive as ________ (name any great Atlantic or Stax male vocalist after Otis Redding). It's as sad a tune as you're likely to hear, but it's music that moves past grief and loneliness toward the willingness to live another day. As the children's choir kicks in, all off-key and sincere, one can feel the sun coming through the clouds. This album, like all of the Delaney & Bonnie predecessors, and his solo offerings, endures into the 21st century, even if it is forgotten and can only be had either second-hand or ordered at import prices. It doesn't matter; this is essential American roots music, every bit as powerful now as when it was released.
**********
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
William Ruhlmann
Although his popularity was often eclipsed by the artists he mentored, Delaney Bramlett was an accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriter whose style influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale, and Duane Allman. A native of Pontotoc, MS, he served time in the U.S. Navy before moving to Los Angeles in 1959. He soon became a member of the Shindogs, the resident band on the TV show Shindig. Such a job allowed Bramlett to rub shoulders with other notable musicians, and in 1967 he met Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, a member of Ike & Tina Turner's backup group the Ikettes. The two were married within five days; they also formed a duo named Delaney & Bonnie.
Accept No Substitute
Delaney & Bonnie cut an album for Stax Records in Memphis, backed by Booker T. & the MG's, but the record was not released at first. They then expanded the group (welcoming such musicians as Leon Russell into the fold) and adopted the modified name Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. This new lineup recorded Accept No Substitute in 1969, and although its sales were lukewarm, the album still endeared Delaney Bramlett's music to a number of rock icons. Eric Clapton took particular interest and invited Delaney & Bonnie & Friends to tour alongside Blind Faith in mid-1969; he then left his band and joined Bramlett's loose collective, along with such notables as George Harrison and Dave Mason. This resulted in the release of On Tour with Eric Clapton, a live album recorded during a performance at London's Fairfield Halls.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Afterwards, members of the Friends proceeded to work on solo albums by Clapton and Harrison, as well as Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Delaney & Bonnie made several more albums before divorcing, although none of them fared as well as On Tour. Delaney Bramlett then released his debut solo effort, Something's Coming, in 1972, followed by Mobius Strip (1973), Giving Birth to a Song (1975), and Delaney Bramlett and Friends -- Class Reunion (1977). His studio work tapered off after the late '70s, although he returned to his craft two decades later with a handful of releases, the last of which -- A New Kind of Blues -- was issued in 2008. That year proved to be a fateful one, however, as Bramlett suffered from complications of gall bladder surgery and died on December 27th.
**********
WIKIPEDIA
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
********************
''MOBIUS STRIP''
1973
36:04
**********
01 - Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone 03:22 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
02 - What Am I Doin' (In A Place Like This) 02:59 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
03 - A Young Girl (In Her Garden) 03:44 (Randy Sharp)
04 - Big Ol' Piece Of Blues 02:59 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Glmore)
05 - Circles 05:05 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Glmore)
06 - When A Man Is In Need Of A Woamn 03:25 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
07 - I'm A M-A-N 04:37 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
08 - B.B.'s Blues 03:42 (Billy Burnett, Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
09 - A Little Bit Of You In Me 02:18 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
10 - California Rain 03:51 (Delaney Bramlett, Doug Gilmore)
**********
Horn Arrangements, Trumpet - Daryl Leonard
Baritone Saxophone - Jim Gordon (2)
Bass - Robert Wilson
Drums - Ron Grayson
Guitar, Vocals, Percussion - Delaney Bramlett
Horns Section - Daryl Leonard, Jerry Jumonville, Jim Gordon (2)
Organ - Tim Hedding
Piano - Jim Hobson
Tenor Saxophone - Jerry Jumonville
Trombone - Larry Savoie
Guitar (Wa Wa) On 01, Guitar On 04, Guitar Solo On 08 – John Ussery
Congas On 02, 05, 07 - King Ericson
Backing Vocals On 05 - Clydie King, The Hired Choir, Vanetta Fields
Backing Vocals On 06 - Clydie King, Vanetta Fields
Backing Vocals On 09 - Clydie King
Bram-letts Mini Choir On 10 - Becca Bramlett, Chris King, Feda King, Michele Bramlett, Suki King, Susan Bramlett
Bagpipes On 05 - Jim Gordon (2)
Guitar On 05 - Art Munson
Synthesizer On 07, 10 - Craig Portman
Steel Guitar On 09 - Red Rhodes
String Arrangements On 10 - Michael Omartian
**********
REVIEW/AMG
Thom Jurek
Mobius Strip was recorded and released in 1973, during Delaney Bramlett's separation from Bonnie in the wake of their imminent divorce. Amazingly, this doesn't immediately show in the music. In fact, it's more joyous in places than its predecessor, Some Things Coming. That said, one has to wonder if Bramlett was losing it here, given that its opener is titled "Are You a Beatle or a Rolling Stone." By rights it should be dreadful; but it's not. Bramlett's cornball humor aside, the song's tale of life on the road depicts the '70s in all of its decadent glory. It's also a savagely funky R&B-drenched rocker. The band on this set is a bit larger but it's also leaner. Bramlett handles a lot of the backing vocals and percussion himself, offering his true worth as a singer. He plays guitar a lot more, too, each track is shot through his nasty Telecaster and Stratocaster fills and solos. He's got Jim Gordon and Jerry Jumonville on saxes (the latter plays bagpipes à la Rufus Harley on one cut), and George Bohannon handles the charts for the horns on a few tracks: Bramlett does the rest, and uses the same core organ session from Some Things Coming, essentially his road band of bassist Robert G. Wilson, organist Timothy Hedding, and drummer Ron Grayson. The tunes where there are other backing vocals feature Venetta Fields and Chris Thomas King and some group called "the Hired Choir," as well as a "mini-choir" comprising the children of Bramlett, and King (for Fleetwood Mac fanatics, this marks the very first recorded performance of Bekka Bramlett).
The opener and "What Am I Doin' (In a Place Like This)," could have come off Some Things Coming; they're raucous, rowdy, and drenched in the Muscle Shoals horn and rhythm section soul-meets-blues formula that crackles with power and sexual energy. But the change-up happens on the set's third track, a stripped down ballad by Randy Sharp called "A Young Girl (In Her Garden)," that could have been composed by Jimmy Webb. The desperation in Bramlett's vocal reveals his precarious situation, caught between regret and the desire for love in his life. "Big Ol' Piece of Blues," is just what it says it is, and then comes the charging road band soul of "Circles" that offers more naked confessionalism with the amazing call and response backing vocals and choir, in a completely hypnotic vocal pattern that matches the (no pun intended) circular rhythms employed by the drum kit and percussion section. The organ and horns here are transcendent; they offer the singer courage as he bares his ripped up heart and lost sense of purpose for the listener. But the funky, gritty sound that typifies Bramlett's best work is everywhere, and his arrangement for the chorus is astonishing.
"When a Man Is in Need of a Woman" is not a rewrite of the Percy Sledge hit, it's a strictly honest "Let's-look-at-this-without-pretense," delivery that may be sung right out to Bonnie, or it may be sung to the heavens. Damn! The slide work and special synth effects on "I'm a M-A-N" are a change-up for the first few seconds before Bramlett roars like a lion and lets his slide do the talking, challenging Bohannon's horns to go the distance with him. Jim Hobson's piano is poignant here and is the only thing that keeps the piece on the ground. The set closes with "California Rain," a ballad with Bramlett on his 12-string guitars, a B-3, piano, and a skeletal bassline that is every bit as poignant as any singer/songwriter tune that's ever been laid down, but Bramlett's singing is as expressive as ________ (name any great Atlantic or Stax male vocalist after Otis Redding). It's as sad a tune as you're likely to hear, but it's music that moves past grief and loneliness toward the willingness to live another day. As the children's choir kicks in, all off-key and sincere, one can feel the sun coming through the clouds. This album, like all of the Delaney & Bonnie predecessors, and his solo offerings, endures into the 21st century, even if it is forgotten and can only be had either second-hand or ordered at import prices. It doesn't matter; this is essential American roots music, every bit as powerful now as when it was released.
**********
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
William Ruhlmann
Although his popularity was often eclipsed by the artists he mentored, Delaney Bramlett was an accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriter whose style influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale, and Duane Allman. A native of Pontotoc, MS, he served time in the U.S. Navy before moving to Los Angeles in 1959. He soon became a member of the Shindogs, the resident band on the TV show Shindig. Such a job allowed Bramlett to rub shoulders with other notable musicians, and in 1967 he met Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, a member of Ike & Tina Turner's backup group the Ikettes. The two were married within five days; they also formed a duo named Delaney & Bonnie.
Accept No Substitute
Delaney & Bonnie cut an album for Stax Records in Memphis, backed by Booker T. & the MG's, but the record was not released at first. They then expanded the group (welcoming such musicians as Leon Russell into the fold) and adopted the modified name Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. This new lineup recorded Accept No Substitute in 1969, and although its sales were lukewarm, the album still endeared Delaney Bramlett's music to a number of rock icons. Eric Clapton took particular interest and invited Delaney & Bonnie & Friends to tour alongside Blind Faith in mid-1969; he then left his band and joined Bramlett's loose collective, along with such notables as George Harrison and Dave Mason. This resulted in the release of On Tour with Eric Clapton, a live album recorded during a performance at London's Fairfield Halls.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Afterwards, members of the Friends proceeded to work on solo albums by Clapton and Harrison, as well as Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Delaney & Bonnie made several more albums before divorcing, although none of them fared as well as On Tour. Delaney Bramlett then released his debut solo effort, Something's Coming, in 1972, followed by Mobius Strip (1973), Giving Birth to a Song (1975), and Delaney Bramlett and Friends -- Class Reunion (1977). His studio work tapered off after the late '70s, although he returned to his craft two decades later with a handful of releases, the last of which -- A New Kind of Blues -- was issued in 2008. That year proved to be a fateful one, however, as Bramlett suffered from complications of gall bladder surgery and died on December 27th.
**********
WIKIPEDIA
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
********************
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