Title:  River City Street Band
Company: Enterprise
Catalog: ENS 1024
Year: 1971
Country/State: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap (opened and torn)

Like a lot of collectors, there are certain labels where if I see an album on that label, I'll buy it regardless of whether I'm familiar with the band, or not. Case in point, the Fayetteville, Arkansas-based River City Street Band. Never heard of them and only bought it because their 1972 album was released on Stax's Enterprise subsidiary.

An eight piece band, River City Street Band became the first all white band signed by Stax (in this case the label's Enterprise subsidiary). Having located to Memphis the band recorded their debut in the famed Ardent Studios with Tim Riley producing. (In case anyone cared, Terry Manning was credited with playing Moog synthesizers on the album.) 1971's cleverly-titled "River City Street Band" offered up a somewhat odd mixture of hard rock and horn rock - imagine Chicago with the late Terry Kath calling the shots and you'll get a feel for the overall sound. Featuring a largely original collection of material penned by singer Tommy Boyd and bassist Dick Johnson, the album wasn't all that bad, especially for a horn rock excursion, but most of the songs would have been even better sans the horns. That said, for the most part songs such as 'Happy Song' and 'Lamp of Love' exhibited fairy tight and commercial structures that served to keep the horn section (Ethridge Hill, Tom Jones, and Dale Marlow) in check so this wasn't anywhere near as bad as your typical Blood, Sweat and Tears, or Chase album. The album also benefited from Byrd's nice voice. He had one of those instruments that was rugged and tough, but still capable of sounding quite commercial. The band also had a second lead singer who was featured on a couple of tracks (take a listen to 'People'). Beats me who it was ... The other surprise weapon came in the form of guitarist Bill 'Fuzz' Foster. Whenever Foster was given a chance to open up things quickly improved. Shame he wasn't allowed even more space.

- The opener served as a nice showcase for Byrd's gruff voice and Fuzz Foster's fuzz lead guitar (guess that's where he got the nickname). A decent rocker, with a nice bass pattern from Johnson, the track would have been even better had they dropped the horns. rating: *** stars
- 'So Many Things' featured a likeable blue-eyed soul flavor. Once again the spotlight was on Byrd's double track voice (which was well suited to the genre) and Foster's fuzz guitar. Because the song was so catchy, the horns weren't as noticeable this time out. rating: *** stars
- With the horns upfront and center, to my ears 'People' sounded very much like an early Chicago tune - albeit one of their better rock-oriented numbers (before the decided to become an adult contemporary act). The combination of horns, Randy Gardner's upfront drums, and strumming acoustic guitars gave the song a definite Chicago-like feel. Anyone know who handled the second lead vocal ? rating: *** stars
- Kicked along by Foster's guitar, 'If You Can' found the band trying on a heavier rock sound. To be honest, it might have worked except for the friggin' horns. rating: ** stars
- Another driving rocker, 'Love Me Only' had a catchy melody and a great vocal from Byrd. Yeah, the ever present horns were there as well. Shame. rating: *** stars
- Another Chicago sound-alike, 'Happy Song' was one of the album's most commercial and radio friendly songs. Easy to see why it was tapped as the leadoff single. rating: *** stars
- On 'Modern Man' Byrd and company actually sounded a bit like David Clayton Thomas and Blood, Sweat and Tears. The song had a great melody with the horns actually serving to support the melody, rather than distracting from it. Terry Manning's deft synthesizers were showcased on this one. One of my favorite selections. rating: **** stars
- Okay, in spite of the horns and the David Clayton Thomas vibe, I'll readily admit to liking 'Searchin' Man'. So sue me. rating: *** stars
- Another stab at a hard rock song, 'Nancy's April Song' actually came off pretty well, though the shrill horns merely served to distract from the killer melody. rating *** stars
- Normally a sappy ballad such as 'Two Different People' wouldn't have made a much of an impression on me, but this one had a pretty melody and the horns were relegated to a backing role - basically a pair of quick Dale Marlow trumpet solos. Very nice. rating: **** stars- Opening up with a nice Johnson bass pattern, 'Lamp Of Love' was one of those tunes that had 1970s stamped all over it ... Showcasing one of those period 'love will save everything' lyrics and a seemingly endless refrain (the track ran on for over nine minutes), this one actually sported the album's best melody and some pounding rhythm from Johnson and drummer Gardner. rating: **** stars
- The album faded out with a brief, fifteen second snippet entitled 'I Wanna Be A Star'. rating: * star

The album was tapped for a pair of obscure singles:

- 1971's 'Happy Song' b/w 'Lamp Of Love' (Enterprise catalog number 9043)
- 1971's 'Some Other Man' b/ 'Two Different People' (Enterprise catalog number 9052)

As you probably figured out, I'm not a big horn rock fan so the fact I could actually sit through this one without fidgeting speaks volume for the quality of the material.

"River City Street Band" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Some Other Man (Tommy Byrd) - 2:11
2.) So Many Things (Tommy Byrd) - 2:09
3.) People (Tommy Byrd - Dick Johnson) - 3:58
4.) If You Can (Tommy Byrd - Dick Johnson) - 2:44
5.) Love Me Only (Tommy Byrd - Dick Johnson) - 2:40
6.) Happy Song (Tommy Byrd - Dick Johnson) - 2:33
7.) Modern Man (Dick Johnson) - 2:35

(side 2)
1.) Searchin' Man (Dick Johnson) - 3:15
2.) Nancy's April Song (Tommy Byrd ) - 2:393.) Two Different People (Tommy Byrd - Dick Johnson) - 3;204.) Lamp Of Love (Charlie Roman - Dan Sullivan) - 9:075.) I Wanna Be A Star (Dick Johnson - Dale Marlow) - 0:15