Genre: rock
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title:  Tonight The Rattles Starring Edna
Company: Philips
Catalog: 6305 176
Year: 1972
Country/State: Germany
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: German pressing
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 5886
Price: $75.00

1972's self-produced "Tonight the Rattles Starring Edna" has always been a curiosity to me. While not exactly rare, good luck finding a copy in decent shape. Also good luck finding an online review of the album. This time out Philips seemed interested in making Beharano the band's focal point. As on 1970's "The Witch" she handled most of the lead vocals and was allocated two of her own songs ('You've Got To Get Another Girl' and 'Be My Man'). The packaging was also clearly focused on her. By the way, judging by the back cover, Bejarano had a pair of legs that simply didn't quit.  With guitarist Frank Mille and new keyboardist Lude Lafayette (shown as Jochen Peters on the writing credits) responsible for the majority of the nine tracks, the album found the band opting for a slightly more mainstream rock direction. 

- The only track that really recalled the previous album, 'Devil's Son' started out with a distinctive psychedelic flair before morphing into a more conventional rocker. Borrowing a little bit of raciousness that made 'The Witch' such a blast, the song served as a nice introduction to Bejarano's interesting voice - raw and occasional shrieky, though with a hard to describe sexy edge ... you'd have to judge it for yourself. rating: **** stars
- Written by Bejarano, 'You've Got To Get Another Girl' was a pretty, mid-tempo, keyboard-propelled ballad. The downside was that Bejarano's vocal was heavily accented, almost sounding like she had learned the lyrics phonetically. rating: *** stars
- With an unusual song structure, 'Will You Pay When I Cry' sported some hysterical lyrics ('we had a good time drinking coca cola with rum and ice''). Elsewhere the song's highlight came in the form of Mille's nice Santana-styled guitar solo. rating: *** stars
- Sounding like someone rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together, the train sound effects that opened 'Alabama' were hysterical. Actually the concept of a German band singing a bar rocker entitled 'Alabama' was pretty funny. Gawd only knows how it became a European hit. rating: *** stars
- Side one closed out with a surprisingly impressive slice of chuggin' Southern rock. Nice rollicking melody with great organ and guitar solos from Lude Lafayette and Frank Mille. rating: *** stars
- The only track to feature Lafayette on lead vocals, 'Visions of Tarzan & Jane' was an interesting keyboard-propelled, progressive-flavored number. I've listened to the song dozens of times and still don't have a clue with respect to the lyrics, but the song had a nice melody that showcased the group's impressive vocal harmonies. rating: *** stars
- The second Bejarano composition, 'Be My Man' was a surprisingly funky effort. Nothing particularly original, but it was kind of strange hearing a German band getting down like this ... rating: *** stars
- Complete with an Indian flavor percussion and an acid-tinged vocal, 'What Do I Care' sounded like it had been lifted off of some 1967 release. Quite different than the rest of the album and quite cool. Bejarano sounded pissed when she yelled out the title chorus. rating: **** stars
- With its nonsensical title, 'Blue Berry Music' was a conventional, thumping rocker. Professional, but not particularly exciting. rating: ** stars

Philips also tapped the album for a European single in the form of:



- 1972's 'Alabama' b/w 'Devil's Son' (Philips catalog number 6003 304)

Not as immediately likeable as "The Witch" but what most folks would call a 'grower'; this one continues to improve every time I listen to it.  

"Tonight The Rattles Starring Edna" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Devil's Son (Jochen Peters - Frank Mille) - 3:50
2.) You've Got To Get Another Girl (Edna Bejarano) - 3:48 
3.) Will You Pay When I Cry (Jochen Peters - Frank Mille) - 3:03
4.) Alabama (Herbert Bornhold - Frank Mille) - 3:07
5.) Make It (Jochen Peters - Frank Mille) - 4:26

(side 2)
1.) Visions of Tarzan & Jane (Jochen Peters - Frank Mille) - 6:35
2.) Be My Man (Edna Bejarano) - 4:23
3.) What Do I Care (Frank Mille) - 4:19
4.) Blue Berry Music (Jochen Peters - Frank Mille) - 3:56