Sunday, November 12, 2006

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Mason Proffit "Wanted!" (US Folk-Rock 1969)

"Hear the voice of change," command the Talbot brothers at the opening of their debut album, and the song, "Voice of Change," is both a political statement calling out to President Nixon's "silent majority" and a statement of purpose from the band. Like their peers on the West Coast, the Midwestern Talbots attempt to merge the musical and social concerns of the folk-rock movement with elements of traditional country. But they are a bit more Western-styled than the Flying Burrito Brothers and less of a good-time outfit than Poco. Forging a connection between the hippie ethos and the Old West's outlaw myth, they conjure up a portrait of long-haired cowboys riding across the plain. In "Two Hangmen," the brothers alternate vocals (and stereo speakers) to tell the odd tale of an executioner who comes to doubt his profession and is sentenced to death for it, only to be spared by a second executioner, the two then hung to preserve the status quo. It's a bizarre Western fable, to be sure, but one that illustrates the brothers' sense that they are trying to invent a new society within the terms of the old and may have to pay for it. (Wanted!, after all, is a title that cuts at least two ways.) The music takes off from folk and country sources into progressive rock ("Sweet Lady Love" is even reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival), the pedal steel guitar and fiddle augmented here and there by strings, while the brothers' tenor harmonies give the group a distinctive vocal sound. Like many debut albums, this one is ambitious, both musically and thematically; Mason Proffit want to change musical tastes and political beliefs at the same time. Whether or not they succeed, they have crafted a good opening argument. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Sample pic: Click

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for changing the download process.....its appreciated

12 November, 2006 04:21  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you again!!!
Another great one!

bobdylan(Frank)

12 November, 2006 06:46  
Blogger rock of lamb said...

Great album!

12 November, 2006 06:55  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for this album! I haven't heard it in years. There was a late night radio show in the early 1970s called BLEEKER STREET on KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas that used to play the song 'Two Hangmen' all the time. I miss those days and listening to my radio while lying in my bed at night listening to the underground sounds of the day. This album brings me back! Thanks!
Smile67

12 November, 2006 15:12  
Blogger Ran said...

Thank YOU!!!!! OMG, i've looked everywhere for this album. I saw them in concert back in the day and used to own this album. Only to have a house fire,losing my entire collection.
THANX AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ran

13 November, 2006 09:00  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have to add my thanks as well. I have searching high and low for this, while certainly of the time, they had a nice sound and message. If you have any more Mason Profitt, another post would also be appreciated, but if not, this will do just fine.

Thanks again.

17 November, 2006 14:54  
Blogger whiteray said...

Thanks so much -- I've had the vinyl for years and don't often get the records out. It's such a treat to hear it again!

18 November, 2006 16:09  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Real Great!!!

26 January, 2007 04:25  
Blogger KSHE Klassics Dude said...

Thanks a bunch for all the Mason Proffit posts. Great band that should have made it big. These guys were actually very popular in my hometown of St. Louis, MO in the 70's due to exposure on K-SHE 95, one of the best AOR/Progressive Rock radio stations of all time in my opinion.

Great blog! Keep up the good work.

07 February, 2007 05:08  

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