MusicRatty: BABE RUTH - Babe Ruth (1975)

This is cache of http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/progarchives/reviews/~3/284181249/Review.asp. Cache is the snapshot of article that we took when we index feed.
To see original page click here.
We are not affiliated with the authors of this article and not responsible for its content.

BABE RUTH - Babe Ruth (1975)

2008-05-05 16:41:13 by Editor in Progarchives.com (Progressive rock and related latest reviews)

By the time Babe Ruth´s thrid, self titled, album was out, the band was in the middle of a big identidy crisis, or so ti seems. After all the experimentalism displayed on Amar Caballero, Babe Ruth simply seemed lost. Each track points a different direction and the whole CD sounds directionless.

Tracks like Dancer, Jack O´Lanter and Sad But Rich are hard rockers of some respect, but the last two seems a bit forced and the former, a bit too long. Torquoise is a beautiful acoustic number. Highlight are The Dutchess Of New Orleans and the cover of Curtis Mayfield´s People Darker Than Blue, both with excellent arrnagements and great performances, specially Janita haan´s vocals. On the other hand Private Number is the kind of bubblegum glam rock of the time, utterly unsuited for the band style. Even the new arrangement for Ennio Morricone´s A Fistuful Os Dollars (echoes of their greatest song The Mexican?) does not work.

With all that it is no surprise that some changes would occur by the next release. Alan Chacklock would leave the band and Bernie mardsen would took over guitar duties. That would revive, briefly, the band.

Babe Ruth is a transitional record, with some good tracks and some that does not work. They still could play good, but this is surely not one of their best. Try First Base or Stealín´Home before hearing this one. 2 stars.

by Tarcisio Moura

BABE RUTH Music Online:
recommended progarchives.com worldwide prog rock stores