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ssra Mohawk - Essra Mohawk
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Condition: Brand new
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Genre: pop
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Essra Mohawk
Company: Asylum
Catalog: 7E 1023
Year: 1974
Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened); includes original lyric inner sleeve
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 276
Price: $20.00
Best time to play: not sure
1974 saw Essra Mohawk signed to David Geffen's Asylum Records (boy did she ever bounce around record labels - by my count Asylum was her fourth up to that point). I haven't heard everything in Essra Mohawk's lengthy recording catalog, but given what I own and what I've heard, 1974's Tom Sellers produced "Essra Mohawk" was one of her more focused and commercial offerings. I'm guessing this was viewed as her shot at breaking to a mass audience (perhaps explaining the daring cover art). So there's no doubt Mohawk's a seriously talented performer with a craggy, soulful voice (that's always been somewhat of a hit-of-miss instrument to my ears); an accomplish keyboard player, and a writer with a knack for highly personal, frequently enigmatic, but surprisingly enjoyable material. This album brought all of those gifts to the table and surrounded by some heavy hitter sessions players (including most of The Crusaders), for the most part steered her in a more focused and conventional direction. The set was quite diverse including a pair of stark, keyboard powered ballads ('You're Finally Here' and 'I Cannot Forget'), several jazz-tinged numbers ('Back In the Spirit' and 'Magic Pen'), and best of all some unexpectedly funky and commercial numbers ('New Skins for Old' and 'You Make Me Come To Pieces').
- As I said above, Mohawk's voice has always been hit-or-miss to my ears, but on the funk-meets-jazzy 'New Skins for Old' it was a hit. The song brought out a really cool niche in her rough voice and animal cruelty lyrics weren't nearly as blatantly in your face as some of other contemporaries. rating: **** stars
- Sounding a bit like Bonnie Raitt after she'd swallowed a can of nails, 'Openin' My Love Doors' (subtle imagery there), was a nice, soul-tinged ballad. Very breezy and commercial, it should have been a hit though the out-there lyrics probably would have made most top-40 radio stations blush. rating: *** stars
- Ever wonder what Laura Nyro would have sounded like if she'd decided to get angry ? Well, 'Full Pledged Woman' was probably a pretty good approximation. Based on the lyric, I'm guessing you probably didn't want to tangle with Mohawk when she was in a nasty mood. Nice keyboard-powered rocker. rating: *** stars
- Just Mohawk on piano, 'You're Finally Here' was a stark ballad. Pretty and quite personal, it was the kind of stuff her longstanding fans crave, but I found it kind of boring. Very Carole King-ish. rating: ** stars
- With so many covers of 'Summertime' out there, I simply don't expect much from any of them and while Mohawk's wasn't great, thanks to the Dave Kempton's clattering piano, if was worth hearing. rating: *** stars
- Backed by most of The Crusaders, 'Back In the Spirit' counter balanced a funky rhythm line with some soothing soul touches and one of her best vocals. rating: **** stars
- With Mohawk trotting out her grittiest voice and Tom Sellars contributing perolating electric piano, 'You Make Me Come To Pieces' was a true slice of hardcore funk which would have made George Clinton proud. rating: **** stars
- Another Mohawk and keyboard piece, 'I Cannot Forget' was very pretty and also very cocktail jazz-ish. rating: ** stars
- The title left me a bit apprehensive, but showcasing a nice jazz tinge and some excellent Larry Carlton lead guitar, 'Song To An Unborn Soul' was actually one of the standout performances. rating: **** stars
- 'If I'm Gonna Go Crazy with Someone It Might As Well Be You' was interesting in that it started out sounding like something you would have heard in the '80s on one of those faceless adult contemporary, lite jazz stations that were always playing on office building lobbies. And then when you'd basically give up on it, the song turned funky. Loved the multi-tracked vocals ... rating: *** stars
- 'Magic Pen' was the kind of song that English majors gushed over - deep, thoughtful, and thoroughly enigmatic. It didn't do much for me. rating: ** stars
I generally like quirky artists and Mohawk certainly fits the bill. Add to that she has a truly interesting voice, but as much as I've tied to love this album, I just can't pull it off.
Asylum did little to promote the album (as far as I know the company didn't even float a siingle) and the collection quickly ended up in cutout bins (I remember seeing stacks of them at my local record store (showing my age here)).
For anyone interested, Mohawk has a nice website at: http://www.essramohawk.com/
"Essra Mohawk" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) New Skins for Old (Essra Mohawk) - 2:30
2.) Openin' My Love Doors (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 2:34
3.) Full Pledged Woman (Essra Mohawk) - 3:10
4.) You're Finally Here (Essra Mohawk) - 2:56
5.) Summertime (George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin - Heyward) - 2:28
6.) Back I n the Spirit (Essra Mohawk) - 2:40
(side 2)
1.) You Make Me Come To Pieces (Essra Mohawk - Kenny Jenkins) - 3:09
2.) I Cannot Forget (Essra Mohawk) - 4:47
3.) Song To An Unborn Soul (Essra Mohawk) - 2:19
4.) If I'm Gonna Go Crazy with Someone It Might As Well Be You (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 3:32
5.) Magic Pen (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 2:25
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Essra Mohawk
Company: Asylum
Catalog: 7E 1023
Year: 1974
Country/State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened); includes original lyric inner sleeve
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 276
Price: $20.00
Best time to play: not sure
1974 saw Essra Mohawk signed to David Geffen's Asylum Records (boy did she ever bounce around record labels - by my count Asylum was her fourth up to that point). I haven't heard everything in Essra Mohawk's lengthy recording catalog, but given what I own and what I've heard, 1974's Tom Sellers produced "Essra Mohawk" was one of her more focused and commercial offerings. I'm guessing this was viewed as her shot at breaking to a mass audience (perhaps explaining the daring cover art). So there's no doubt Mohawk's a seriously talented performer with a craggy, soulful voice (that's always been somewhat of a hit-of-miss instrument to my ears); an accomplish keyboard player, and a writer with a knack for highly personal, frequently enigmatic, but surprisingly enjoyable material. This album brought all of those gifts to the table and surrounded by some heavy hitter sessions players (including most of The Crusaders), for the most part steered her in a more focused and conventional direction. The set was quite diverse including a pair of stark, keyboard powered ballads ('You're Finally Here' and 'I Cannot Forget'), several jazz-tinged numbers ('Back In the Spirit' and 'Magic Pen'), and best of all some unexpectedly funky and commercial numbers ('New Skins for Old' and 'You Make Me Come To Pieces').
- As I said above, Mohawk's voice has always been hit-or-miss to my ears, but on the funk-meets-jazzy 'New Skins for Old' it was a hit. The song brought out a really cool niche in her rough voice and animal cruelty lyrics weren't nearly as blatantly in your face as some of other contemporaries. rating: **** stars
- Sounding a bit like Bonnie Raitt after she'd swallowed a can of nails, 'Openin' My Love Doors' (subtle imagery there), was a nice, soul-tinged ballad. Very breezy and commercial, it should have been a hit though the out-there lyrics probably would have made most top-40 radio stations blush. rating: *** stars
- Ever wonder what Laura Nyro would have sounded like if she'd decided to get angry ? Well, 'Full Pledged Woman' was probably a pretty good approximation. Based on the lyric, I'm guessing you probably didn't want to tangle with Mohawk when she was in a nasty mood. Nice keyboard-powered rocker. rating: *** stars
- Just Mohawk on piano, 'You're Finally Here' was a stark ballad. Pretty and quite personal, it was the kind of stuff her longstanding fans crave, but I found it kind of boring. Very Carole King-ish. rating: ** stars
- With so many covers of 'Summertime' out there, I simply don't expect much from any of them and while Mohawk's wasn't great, thanks to the Dave Kempton's clattering piano, if was worth hearing. rating: *** stars
- Backed by most of The Crusaders, 'Back In the Spirit' counter balanced a funky rhythm line with some soothing soul touches and one of her best vocals. rating: **** stars
- With Mohawk trotting out her grittiest voice and Tom Sellars contributing perolating electric piano, 'You Make Me Come To Pieces' was a true slice of hardcore funk which would have made George Clinton proud. rating: **** stars
- Another Mohawk and keyboard piece, 'I Cannot Forget' was very pretty and also very cocktail jazz-ish. rating: ** stars
- The title left me a bit apprehensive, but showcasing a nice jazz tinge and some excellent Larry Carlton lead guitar, 'Song To An Unborn Soul' was actually one of the standout performances. rating: **** stars
- 'If I'm Gonna Go Crazy with Someone It Might As Well Be You' was interesting in that it started out sounding like something you would have heard in the '80s on one of those faceless adult contemporary, lite jazz stations that were always playing on office building lobbies. And then when you'd basically give up on it, the song turned funky. Loved the multi-tracked vocals ... rating: *** stars
- 'Magic Pen' was the kind of song that English majors gushed over - deep, thoughtful, and thoroughly enigmatic. It didn't do much for me. rating: ** stars
I generally like quirky artists and Mohawk certainly fits the bill. Add to that she has a truly interesting voice, but as much as I've tied to love this album, I just can't pull it off.
Asylum did little to promote the album (as far as I know the company didn't even float a siingle) and the collection quickly ended up in cutout bins (I remember seeing stacks of them at my local record store (showing my age here)).
For anyone interested, Mohawk has a nice website at: http://www.essramohawk.com/
"Essra Mohawk" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) New Skins for Old (Essra Mohawk) - 2:30
2.) Openin' My Love Doors (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 2:34
3.) Full Pledged Woman (Essra Mohawk) - 3:10
4.) You're Finally Here (Essra Mohawk) - 2:56
5.) Summertime (George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin - Heyward) - 2:28
6.) Back I n the Spirit (Essra Mohawk) - 2:40
(side 2)
1.) You Make Me Come To Pieces (Essra Mohawk - Kenny Jenkins) - 3:09
2.) I Cannot Forget (Essra Mohawk) - 4:47
3.) Song To An Unborn Soul (Essra Mohawk) - 2:19
4.) If I'm Gonna Go Crazy with Someone It Might As Well Be You (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 3:32
5.) Magic Pen (Essra Mohawk - Tom Sellers) - 2:25
