Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger
& The Trinity - Open (1967)
aka - Jools
Studio soundboard @256
{Out of Print}
Continuing on a theme...
From the outgrowth of Steampacket, a band that included not only Brian
Auger and Julie Driscoll, but also a young Rod Stewart, came Auger and
Driscoll's collective effort that produced two albums. When Driscoll
left in 1969 to pursue a solo career, Auger, drummer Clive Thacker, and
bassist Dave Ambrose continued as Brian Auger & the Trinity. Open
has been unfairly characterized as a kind of groove jazz rip, one that
combines Wes Montgomery, Jimmy McGriff, and the rock sensibilities of
the psychedelic era. Whatever. There are many tracks here, from deep
grooved funky jazz to lilting ballads and greasy blues numbers and the
skronky exotica number "Goodbye Jungle Telegraph." Auger may not have
been as gifted an organist as Alan Price technically, but he could more
than hold his own on the Hammond B-3 (as evidenced by the first two
tracks here which are instrumentals, "In And Out" and "Isola Nate"). He
was also able to pull more sounds out of the instrument than any of his
peers. Auger wasn't much of a vocalist, but he could dig deep and get
the emotion out of a song -- especially in a funky number like "Black
Cat," which featured a killer though uncredited studio horn section.
Driscoll's contributions are all on the second half of the album,
beginning with the shuffling choogle of Lowell Fulsom's "Tramp,"
continuing through a moving reading of Pops Staples' "Why (Am I Treated
So Bad)," two Auger originals, and concluding in a reading of Donovan's
"Season of the Witch" that single-handedly established her reputation as
a vocalist of great interpretative ability and emotional dexterity.
Almost eight minutes in length, it is the perfect interplay for the
quartet with its dark, smoky swirling energy and extant soul groove, and
capos the album on a high note, making it a delightful precursor to the
classic Streetnoise which was to follow. ~Tom Jurek
Track List:
1. In And Out
2. Isola Natale
3. Black Cat
4. Lament For Miss Baker
5. Goodbye Jungle Telegraph
6. Tramp
7. Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
8. Kind Of Love In
9. Break It Up
10. Season Of The Witch
11. I've Gotta Go Now [CD Bonus Track]
12. Save Me [CD Bonus Track]
13. This Wheel's On Fire [CD Bonus Track]
14. Road To Cairo [CD Bonus Track]
Line-up / Musicians
- Brian Auger/ vocals, keyboards
- Julie Driscoll/ vocals
- Gary Boyle / guitar
- Dave Ambrose / bass guitar
- Roger Sutton / bass guitar
- Clive Thacker/drums
Thanks to RockinBlues room on DC++
pass - fbsvw