Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title:  Salinas 'n St. Louis
Company: Baby Grand
Catalog: SE 1036
Year: 1977
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened)
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6144
Price: $50.00


As far as releases on the small, alleged taxscam Baby Grand label do, I have to admit to being surprised by how good this album was. Also, unlike a disproportionate number of Baby Grand albums,1977's "Salinas 'n St. Louis" avoided the label's typical plodding jazz-rock fusion moves in favor of a much more commercial pop-rock blend. All that aside namesake Eddie Salinas remains a complete mystery to me. Shame since he was credited with writing all seven tracks and he was likely the featured vocalist. If so, he was a talented singer with a nice husky voice that occasionally recalled a Jose Feliciano with a rock and roll attitude. Even with the occasionally clunky horns, virtually every one of these tracks had at least something going for them with 'Everytime' and 'Phoneyman' standing as personal favorites.

- 'Everytime' started out the album with an amazingly commercial pop-rock song. With a nice pounding melody, the song served as a great platform for Salinas' gutsy voice. The song was actually so good it even overcame the MOR horn arrangement. If Lobo had ever gotten around to recording a rock song, this is what it would have sounded like. rating: *** stars
- Opening up with a guitar segment that's always reminded me of the 'Love Is Blue' melody, 'Phoneyman' was a mid-tempo rocker with another nice vocal performance and a great lead guitar solo. Yeah, the song would have been even better without the horns, but again the track was good enough that you could ignore them. rating: **** stars
- 'Sight of Your Mind' was a bit on the MOR side, but was still an interesting, slinky ballad. Salinas vocal on this one always reminded me a bit of Jose Feliciano. rating: *** stars
- Ah, 'Golden Flight' found Salinas pulling a page out of the Jose Feliciano/Richie Havens-styled acoustic folk-rock catalog. I'm usually not a big fan of the genre, but kicked long by some nice strumming 12 string and a hyperactive bass pattern this one was actually pretty good. rating: *** stars
- 'The Man Walks Alone' was a touchy, singer/songwriter number. To my ears the best part of the song came in the form of the beautiful acoustic lead guitar. Very nice performance. rating: *** stars
- Maybe it's just me, but normally starting a song with a drum solo isn't the smartest move in the world ... well, in the case of 'I'm Down' (not The Beatles tune), Salinas could be forgiven. Not only could he be forgiven, but along with the pounding bass, andthe album's best guitar solo, the frenetic drums literally made this wild rocker one of the album's best performances.  rating: **** stars
- The breezy 'Your Love Is Like Rain' should have answered any critics who were wondering whether Salinas could pull off a truly commercial pop song. Very catchy, though I'll admit to liking his tougher, rocker-oriented numbers.    rating: *** stars

One of the best Baby Grand releases, I'd love to know more about this guy ...

"Salinas 'n St. Louis" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Everytime (Eddie Salinas) - 3:14
2.) Phoneyman (Eddie Salinas) - 3:13
3.) Sight of Your Mind (Eddie Salinas) - 3:51
4.) Golden Flight (Eddie Salinas) - 5:20

(side 2)
1.) The Man Walks Alone (Eddie Salinas) - 
2.) I'm Down (Eddie Salinas) - 6:18
3.) Your Love Is Like Rain (Eddie Salinas) - 2:09