Tommy Bolin - Whips And Roses
Date of Release: April 24, 2006
2006 CD: Steamhammer/SPV STMH78582 (Germany)
Recorded in the studio, 1975 (01-08),
telephone interview with Art Connor Sept. 14, 1976 (01 intro),
live with Energy, 1972, Greeley, Colorado (09),
live with G.I.T. Dec. 2, 1976, Seven Seas Lounge, Miami (10)
Ripped with Exact Audio Copy
Encoded with Lame 3.0.93 MOD at VBR/44/JS
Tracks
01 - Teaser (Bolin/Cook)
02 - Fandango (Bolin)
03 - Wild Dogs (Bolin/Tesar)
04 - Cookoo (Bolin)
05 - Savannah Woman (Bolin/Cook)
06 - Marching Powder (Bolin)
07 - Flyin' Fingers (Bolin)
08 - Dreamer (Cook)
09 - Just Don't Fall Down (Bolin)
10 - Blowin' Your Cookies (Bonus) (Bolin)
Tommy Bolin - Guitar, Vocals
Stanley Sheldon - Bass
Bobby Berge - Drums
And others...
Since the release of 1996's stellar From The Archives, Vol. 1,
it's understandable to say that Tommy Bolin Archives
subsequently went a bit overboard (it seemed like they released
every single piece of tape they could get their hands on -
regardless of the sound quality). But when Tommy's younger
brother, John Bolin, discovered a box full of forgotten tapes,
the finest archival release since Archives, Vol. 1 was in place
- 2006's Whips And Roses. Featuring both strong alternate takes
of Teaser classics and several previously unheard instrumental
jams, Whips And Roses is unquestionably the best-sounding Bolin
CD ever released (the project's producer, Greg Hampton, should
certainly be commended). New versions of the hard-rocking
"Teaser" and the Wes Montgomery-esque "Savannah Woman" come
close to matching the officially released versions (adding grit
to the playing improves the sometimes too-smooth sounds of
Teaser). And out of the instrumentals, a killer take of "Crazed
Fandango" (titled here as simply "Fandango") and "Cookoo" (which
contains traces of the Teaser instrumental "Homeward Strut") are
certainly standouts. It's rare that a compilation of outtakes
could serve as a fine introduction for the new fan, but the
material on Whips And Roses is so strong that it comes close to
accomplishing this feat. A fine sampling of one of rock's
all-time great guitarists.
-- Greg Prato (AMG)
---------------------------------------
The early Seventies were the age of the great guitar heroes: Jimi
Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Toni Iommi. It
was also the era of Ritchie Blackmore and his extravagant stage
show and unusual style, which helped to make Deep Purple one of
the most important hard rock acts of their generation. When
Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1975, the heir to his throne was
Tommy Bolin, a young guitarist who had the world at his feet and
a promising future at the tender age of 23. However, Bolin's
career was to last merely a brief seven years. When he died on
December 4, 1976, he was only 25 years old. Similarly to Jimi
Hendrix, Bolin also enjoys an excellent reputation beyond his
death. Bolin's solo albums, Teaser and Private Eyes, which
arrived at the stores shortly before and after Purple's Come
Taste The Band are considered to be 70s rock classics.
SPV have compiled this new Bolin retrospective, entitled Whips
And Roses, featuring previously unreleased tracks, which testify
to the American's amazing talent as a guitarist, vocalist and
composer. All tracks on Whips And Roses are either alternative
versions of familiar material or previously unreleased songs
from incredible studio sessions, previously believed to have
been lost. The title track of his solo debut, Teaser, "Savannah
Woman" and "Dreamer" come in haunting versions, attesting to
Bolin's unbelievably light style. "Flying Fingers", with almost
16 minutes playing time, proves Tommy's amazing diversity as a
guitar hero.
Following a stunning show with Jeff Beck in Miami/Florida on
December 3, 1976, Bolin lost consciousness at his hotel. He was
already dead by the time the paramedics arrived the next
morning. A drug overdose, together with alcohol, was diagnosed
as the cause of death. But his short musical journey has left us
with a taste of just how great this musical genius was, and how
he would have changed the course of modern music had he lived.
Thirty years later his fans are still shocked by his early
passing. Whips And Roses keeps the memory alive and shows the
genius of this very special musician.
-- The Wino (Electric Mud)
---------------------------------------
Whips And Roses is a collection of previously unreleased
material from the 1975 rock album Teaser by Tommy Bolin. It
features newly discovered takes from songs found on Teaser as
well as several instrumental jams heard for the first time on
this album.
Previously Released
Several songs on Whips And Roses were originally released on
the album Teaser. These version are remixed from alternate takes
remaining from the Teaser sessions. Many of these new versions
feature extended arrangements and radically alternate guitar
solos from the original album.
Teaser Tracks:
- Teaser
- Wild Dogs
- Savannah Woman
- Marching Powder
- Dreamer
Though not originally featured on Teaser, the song "Crazed
Fandango" was recorded for the album but was not released until
the 1996 compilation From The Archives, Vol. 1. A new version of
this song, simply titled "Fandango" also appears on Whips And
Roses.
Studio Jams
In addition to alternate versions of previously released songs,
Whips and Roses features two never before heard instrumental
jams from the same sessions. Both of which feature Bolin's
unique style of blending many genres of music into one cohesive
performance. "Cookoo" features elements of the Teaser
instrumental "Homeward Strut" and "Flyin' Fingers" contains a
segment of "Cucumber Slumber" from the Weather Report album
Mysterious Traveller.
Live Tracks
The final two tracks of Whips And Roses are live tracks of
historic significance to Bolin's career. "Just Don't Fall Down",
is, in fact, a song from Bolin's 1972 band Energy called "Hoka
Hey". The album's final track, "Blowin' Your Cookies" is a jam
that took place on December 2, 1976 less than two days before
Bolin would die of a drug overdose. The remaining musicians from
this jam were the hotel band of a Miami club called the Seven
Seas Lounge.
