Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title:  Mailer MacKenzie Band
Company: Ampex
Catalog: A-10114
Year: 1971
Country/State: Hague, Holland
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: promo ticker on cover; minor ring wear
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6117
Price: $25.00

The early 1970s saw a brief period where Dutch bands like The George Baker Selection, Focus, The Shocking Blue, and The Tee Set enjoyed significant successes on the American charts. In typical fashion, the success of those bands saw a bunch of American labels start to sign any Dutch outfit they could get their hands on. The short-lived Ampex Records responded by signing The Mailer MacKenzie Band.


back cover photo

Prior to forming The Mailer MacKenzie Band lead guitarist Karel van Ettinger had been a member of The Ricochets, The InCrowd, and The Boots. Bassist Paul van Melzen had been a mainstay in The Haigs and The Motions. Drummer Jaap Mossel had also been in The Haigs and The InCrowd. Singer Foort Verbrugge had been a member of The Delta Blues Band and Big Wheel. All told, a pretty impressive Netherpop musical pedigree.

Produced by Hans van Hemeet, 1971's cleverly-titled "Mailer MacKenzie Band" showcased a mixture of band originals (largely penned by drummer Mossel), with a couple of obscure covers rounding out the track listing. Propelled by Verbrugge's rough hewn and heavily accented voice, these guys bounced all over the musical spectrum, taking stabs at country, country-rock), pop, and hard rock. One review compared them to Creedence Clearwater Revival. I'll admit the opener 'Movin'' and ' Red Rover' exhibited a bit of CCR influence, but that was about it. Anyone buying this looking for a John Fogerty kick was probably going to be severely disappointed. While nothing here was particularly original, with the exception of their occasional stabs at country material ('I'm Gamblin''), the performances were all pretty good. Kudos to van Ettinger who repeatedly displayed a knack for adding catchy guitar solos to the material. He single handedly rescued a couple of tracks from oblivion.

- Propelled by Verbrugge's rugged voice (which really did sound a bit like a Dutch version of John Fogerty on this one), 'Movin'' was a taunt little rocker that could have passed for a CCR castoff. Mindless fun, van Ettinger turned in some tasty guitar flourishes throughout. Easy to see why this one was tapped as a single. rating: **** stars
- I guess you couldn't blame these guys for wanting to do a country-rock number. Unfortunately, the genre wasn't a good fit for their talents. Slowed down Verbrugge's accent became much more pronounced and the spoken word segments were almost unbearable hokey. rating: ** stars
- Complete with fiddle, 'I'm Gamblin'' underscored the band's apparent fascination with American country music. About all I can say is yech !!! rating: * star
- Thankfully 'Wait Until the Morning' found the band returning to a more commercial pop sound. While the slow pace served to showcase Verbrugge's labored English, the melody more than made up for other shortcomings. rating: **** stars
- A straight-ahead jumpy rocker 'June' served to showcase guitarist van Ettinger's talents. rating: *** stars
- Boasting one of the album's prettiest melodies and one of Verbrugge's best vocals (this was one of the few tracks where he seemed to relax and not push his voice), 'Let Tomorrow Be a Different Day' had definite commercial potential. The song also sported a beautiful guitar solo from van Ettinger. rating: **** stars
- One of the album's most likeable songs, 'Mary' had a great chuggin' rock feel and one of the funniest American travelogue lyrics you've ever heard. Imagine an American band singing about the geographical delights of Holland and you'll get a feel for the results. rating: **** stars
- Hum ... every wondered what Canned Heat would have sounded like had they been Dutch? Probably not. I certainly never did. Still if by some chance the question crossed your mind, here's a good baseline. Kicked along by a taste harmonica hook 'Come Back Home' was a nice slinky rocker that served as a another album highlight. rating: **** stars
- Showcasing van Ettinger's impressive slide guitar technique 'Tryin' To Find You' was a pedestrian blues-rocker number. If you liked early Fleetwood Mac, or Savoy Brown you'll probably like this one. rating: ** stars
- 'Red Rover' was another song with a distinctive CCR feel. With a commercial edge it was easy to see why this one was tapped as a single in the States and throughout Europe. rating: **** stars
- Judging by the tortured song title I'm guessing something got lost in the translation ... regardless, 'Swimming Over the Ocean, or Walk On a Bridge' was a nice pop tune. rating: **** stars
- My choice for best song, 'Bye Bye Baby' had everything a hit needed - great pounding melody; dazzling lead guitar, and Verbrugge's best vocal. My only complaint was that the mid-song flute solo was unnecessary. rating: ***** stars
- 'Food' ended the album with a 14 second harmonica solo. Dumb way to end the LP. rating: ** stars

Amazingly Ampex actually tapped the album for a series of three American singles:

- 1970's 'The Lady and the Outlaw' b/w 'The Lady and the Outlaw' (Ampex catalog number X-11014)
- 1970's '- 1970's 'Movin'' b/w 'Come Back Home' (Ampex catalog number X-11024)
- 1970's 'Red Rover' b/w 'Come Back Home' (Ampex catalog number X-11037)

In Europe the album spun off a series of 45s:

- 1970's 'Movin'' b/w 'Come Back Home' (Decca catalog number 6100 011)
- 1971's 'Red Rover' b/w 'Come Back Home' (Decca catalog number 10 423)

German release:
- 1971's 'Mary' b/w ''Bye Bye Baby' (Decca catalog number DL 25457)

"Mailer MacKenzie Band" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Movin' (Jaap Mossel) - 2:54
2.) The Lady and the Outlaw (John Stewart) - 2:28
3.) I'm Gamblin' (Jaap Mossel) - 2:13
4.) Wait Until the Morning (P.W. Malzen) - 3:31
5.) June (Jaap Mossel) - 2:31
6.) Let Tomorrow Be a Different Day (Jaap Mossel) - 3:35

(side 2)
1.) Mary (Jaap Mossel) - 2:26
2.) Come Back Home (P.W. Melzen - H.V. Melzen) - 2:37
3.) Tryin' To Find You (J.C. Blok Jr.) - 2:02
4.) Red Rover (T. Tames - B. King) - 2:31
5.) Swimming Over the Ocean, or Walk On a Bridge (Jaap Mossel) - 4:14
6.) Bye Bye Baby (P.W. Malzen) - 4:36
7.) Food (Jaap Mossel) - 0:14