Terry Reid "Seed Of Memory" (1976)
Terry Reid passed away earlier this month at the age of 75, after being treated for cancer. Ironically, the late British singer and guitarist was best known for what he did not do: he turned down an invitation by Jimmy Page to be the lead singer for Led Zeppelin -- and, in fact, Reid was the one who recommended Robert Plant for the job. Reid also was invited by Ritchie Blackmore to front Deep Purple in 1969, but also turned that offer down, before Ian Gillan got the job as that band's second -- and most famous -- frontman. Reid began his career as a late-period member of Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers. The Yardbirds were one of several high-profile British bands whom the Jaywalkers toured with. If you listen to the 2-CD U.K. Reid compilation Super Lungs from 2004 (not to be confused with the less satisfying 1-CD U.S. compilation Superlungs from 2005), you will understand why Page wanted Reid to join the New Yardbirds. On those early recordings, Reid's high tenor vocals show both impressive range and soulful delivery -- and at that time, they did invite comparison to those of Plant. Plenty of names get dropped during discussions about Reid's famous admirers. One possible reason why Reid never achieved his own stardom may be that he only released seven proper studio albums during his lifetime. His fourth one, Seed Of Memory from 1976, is currently unavailable.
Seed Of Memory was produced by Graham Nash, and on this album, Reid generally does not sound like the man who would be Robert Plant; instead, he comes across more as a man who would be Stephen Stills. Although Reid does bellow a bit during the almost-Zeppelin-like hard rock number "The Way You Walk" and during the climaxes of some other tracks, his vocal volume is largely restrained here. But his high-register voice does distinguish the album's material, which usually sounds more American than Anglo. The four songs on the first side lie in a mostly gentle country and folk-rock vein, with support from the likes of David Lindley (violin and slide guitar), Tim Weisberg (flute), and pedal steel guitarists Ben Keith and Al Perkins. This first side is respectable, and (strangely enough) all four of its songs have been used in Rob Zombie horror films -- which has helped this album acquire a cult following. However, the album's second side is actually the better one, taking on a Memphis soul feel with horns and saxophone. "Ooh Baby (Make Me Feel So Young)" has a seductively supple r&b groove, and the seven-minute closing ballad "Fooling You" is an organ-based tune with a more subtle soulfulness, making effective use of Nash's harmony vocal.
Seed Of Memory is not an album that will explain Reid's stellar reputation to a new listener, but it does display a different facet of his talent than his earlier works.
Terry Reid "Seed Of Memory" (ABC ABCD-935) 1976
Track Listing:
1. Faith To Arise
2. Seed Of Memory
3. Brave Awakening
4. To Be Treated Rite
5. Ooh Baby (Make Me Feel So Young)
6. The Way You Walk
7. The Frame
8. Fooling You
Seed Of Memory was produced by Graham Nash, and on this album, Reid generally does not sound like the man who would be Robert Plant; instead, he comes across more as a man who would be Stephen Stills. Although Reid does bellow a bit during the almost-Zeppelin-like hard rock number "The Way You Walk" and during the climaxes of some other tracks, his vocal volume is largely restrained here. But his high-register voice does distinguish the album's material, which usually sounds more American than Anglo. The four songs on the first side lie in a mostly gentle country and folk-rock vein, with support from the likes of David Lindley (violin and slide guitar), Tim Weisberg (flute), and pedal steel guitarists Ben Keith and Al Perkins. This first side is respectable, and (strangely enough) all four of its songs have been used in Rob Zombie horror films -- which has helped this album acquire a cult following. However, the album's second side is actually the better one, taking on a Memphis soul feel with horns and saxophone. "Ooh Baby (Make Me Feel So Young)" has a seductively supple r&b groove, and the seven-minute closing ballad "Fooling You" is an organ-based tune with a more subtle soulfulness, making effective use of Nash's harmony vocal.
Seed Of Memory is not an album that will explain Reid's stellar reputation to a new listener, but it does display a different facet of his talent than his earlier works.
Terry Reid "Seed Of Memory" (ABC ABCD-935) 1976
Track Listing:
1. Faith To Arise
2. Seed Of Memory
3. Brave Awakening
4. To Be Treated Rite
5. Ooh Baby (Make Me Feel So Young)
6. The Way You Walk
7. The Frame
8. Fooling You
Comments