buhdge

ROLLIN'
ARISTA - CD - 1974
JAPAN (Never released in the U.S)

After scoring major hits with "Shang-A-Lang," "Remember," and "Summerlove Sensation," during 1973 the powers that be decided that the boys should have their first album. Supposedly, session players were used on their previous singles (funny how little has changed in 30 years), so this release marks their first appearance as musicians. As a result this record has a simplistic, basic sound. Not a bad start to build on.

Aside from the aforementioned singles that are included, standout songs include covers of "Be My Baby," "Please Stay," and original compositions like "Give It To Me Now" (Martin/Coulter)," “Angel Angel," "Just A Little Love," and "There Goes My Baby" (written by Eric and Woody). An interesting note: "Saturday Night," which was originally released as a single during 1973 (and is included here), was a flop in the U.K. It goes without saying that when it was released in the U.S. in 1975, it went to Number 1. Go figure.

My rating ***

ONCE UPON A STAR
ARISTA - CD - 1975
JAPAN (Never released in the U.S.)

At the point "Bye Bye Baby" hit Number 1 in the U.K., the boys were hosts of their hit T.V. show "Shang-A-Lang," and "Rollermania" was in full swing. Due to pre-orders, this release hit Number 1 on the U.K. charts on the day of its release (also achieved by The Beatles and precious few others). Finally, the boys were allowed to play on all the songs; Eric and Woody wrote seven of the 12 tunes. The production is more sophisticated than on "Rollin'" and this record establishes the group’s trademark sound.

Standout songs include the French style "La Belle Jeane," the Everlyish "When Will You Be Mine," the Spectorish "Angel Baby," the Beatleish title song, and the rockin' "Let's Go." This release also features a remake of the group’s 1971 debut single "Keep On Dancing" and the debut lead vocal of bassist Alan Longmuir on "Rock And Roll Honeymoon"; until his stroke, this was still his featured song at Rollers concerts (was Alan the Rollers’ Ringo?). All in all, this release marks a major step forward. An interesting note: songs from Rollin' and Once Upon A Star were compiled to produce the group’s first American LP, Bay City Rollers (Arista - LP - 1975).

My rating ***

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE IT?
ARISTA - CD - 1975
JAPAN (Released in the U.S. as "Rock 'N' Roll Love Letter"
ARISTA - LP - 1976 with different songs)

Now this is more like it. This release remains my favorite early Rollersrecord and it's easy to see why. First, 11 of the 13 songs were written by Eric and Woody. Second, until the arrival of Duncan Faure as lead vocalist in 1978, this was the group’s most rockin' record. If Clive Davis had kept his nose out of the Rollers’ affairs, the boys would've made more records like this. But sorry to say, Davis’s later insistence on outside material (mostly Air Supply-type songs) insured that this would be the only out and out rock record that the Rollers would make during the "Rollermania" period. An interesting note: why doesn't Clive retire so that someone younger can follow in his footsteps. I mean, there is no shortage of unqualified suits to insure the continued destruction of our beloved Pop, is there?

Sad to say, the horrible reviews that this release received in the U.K. may have contributed to Eric Faulkner's accidental overdose. Glad to say, though, that with songs like "I Only Want to Dance with You," "Too Young to Rock and Roll," "Wouldn't You Like It" (all covered on the Men in Plaid tribute) and the amazing "Eagles Fly," this record stands out as the Rollers’ best work during this period. And ballads like "Shanghai'd In Love," "Maybe I'm A Fool To Love You," the classic "Give A Little Love" and "Here Comes That Feeling Again" (also sung by Alan and covered on Men In Plaid) don't hurt the mix. As famous Hit Parader critic James Spina said in 1976 when reviewing the "Rock 'N' Roll Love Letter" LP, "If this music offends you in any way, break out the Geritol, as your reeling days are over."

My rating *****

DEDICATION
ARISTA - CD - 1976
JAPAN (Also released in the U.S. on LP)

Changes, changes. First the "Tartan Horde" had successfully invaded America. Second, Alan Longmuir is sacked from the band by manager Tam Paton for being too old (26). Sounds like Tam was influenced by Menudo's idiocy. Third, enter new Roller Ian Mitchell (featured on the title song). Fourth, the production duties were passed on to Jimmy Ienner (of Raspberries fame). With "Teeth" singed on as producer, you would probably expect a record like "Side 3", right? Wrong.

Although Dedication is a good record, Clive Davis intervened; there are only three original songs ("You're A Woman," "Write a Letter," and the stomping "Rock 'N Roller") on this album. But I have to say that covers like "Let's Pretend" (Raspberries), "I Only Want to Be with You" (Dusty Springfield), "Yesterday's Hero" (John Paul Young), "Don't Worry Baby" (The Beach Boys) and "Are You Cuckoo? (Russ Ballard)" are all done well. If Arista's intention was to make the Rollers more appealing to mature audiences, then they succeeded. But since they released the excellent singles "Rock And Roll Love Letter," "Money Honey" and "Love Me Like I Love You" earlier in the year, it was my hope that the boys would really be the second coming of The Beatles and that Eric and Woody would be the second coming of Lennon and McCartney. Sad to say, my hopes were thwarted.

My rating ***

IT'S A GAME
ARISTA - CD - 1977
JAPAN (Also released in the U.S. on LP)

More changes. Ian Mitchell leaves and is replaced by Pat McGlynn who also leaves after his 15 minutes of fame, leaving Les, Eric, Woody and Derek as a four piece. Harry Maslin (David Bowie, Air Supply) steps in as producer and continues the more mature sound established on Dedication. Allowed to write five of the 10 songs, band originals like the brilliant "Don't Let the Music Die," "Love Fever" and the Doobie Brothersish "Sweet Virginia" show a more sophisticated writing style. As for outside material, this album produced the hit singles "You Made Me Believe in Magic" and "The Way I Feel Tonight" as well as a psychedelic version of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel."

First interesting note: Eric Faulkner introduced a new instrument on this record which I believe was one of the first generation of guitar synths. Second interesting note: Pat McGlynn charges that he played on a lot of this album, which is why he sued the Rollers and Arista for his share of the millions. Since he appears in the video (sorry, promo film) for "It's A Game," he may have a point.

My rating ***

BAY CITY ROLLERS GREATEST HITS
ARISTA - CD - 1977
USA

I mention this release as it remains the only Roller release (outside of Definitive Collection) to be in print in the US. Shame, shame, shame!!! This 10-song package was more than likely issued to quickly cash in on what Clive Davis may have perceived as the waning of "Rollermania." Yes, it contains the U.S hits to this point but lacks those that hit in the U.K.

The CD, issued in 1991, has somewhat informative notes but aside from a variation of the original LP cover, only a photo of the band with Ian Mitchell is included. U.S. Arista did better with the release of Definitive Collection.

My rating * (there are far better compilation CDs available)

parts 2, 3 and 4 to come