SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – WE ALL SHINE ON: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF 1970

Various Artists
We All Shine On: Celebrating The Music of 1970
Big Stir Records/Spyderpop Records

1970 was an interesting year for rock. Looking at it now, it is composed of bubblegum pop, radio friendly rock, prog rock, rhythm and blues, and the beginning of country rock. It was also when FM Radio got a hold of listeners. This compilation, We All Shine On: Celebrating The Music of 1970, is an interesting attempt at paying tribute to that year. The album consists of current and classic indie bands/artists taking their turn at covering some classics and some deeper cuts. For the most part, it makes for a lovely trip down memory lane, for those old enough to be listening to radio at the time (as I am). Author and Beatles expert John M. Borack produced the album and assembled the artists and this is a project in which he can be very proud.

The album opens with “Are You Ready” (originally by Pacific Gas & Electric) performed by Petsche/Raines. A somewhat obscure and forgotten classic which sounds better than ever. They add an energy that jumps out of the speakers, getting the listener ready for an exploration of 1970’s hits, misses and deep cuts. The Armoires feature with a straight ahead remake of “Yellow River” (Christie). Elsewhere Mitch Easter takes on “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” (The Delfonics), while Danny Wilkerson takes “Everything Is Beautiful” (Ray Stevens) into a whole new direction that starts off strongly, but never explodes the way one hopes. It is still a pleasant listening experience.

Where the album does not entirely work is when artists attempt to cover the song in a new and unique way but do not deliver. Irene Peña tries with “Come And Get It” (Badfinger), which starts off heavy but never delivers the garage pop punch it promises. It isn’t bad, just not entirely committed to the garage pop it could be. The same with The Brothers Steven with their version of Neil Diamond’s “Cracklin’ Rosie”. Again, it isn’t bad or unlistenable but one hoped the band did a little twisting of the song, the way Richard Barone tackles “Rikki Tikki Tavi” (Donovan), which works. He maintains the beauty of the song, while at the same time making it his own. It is the highlight of the album.

As with most compilations, especially ones that feature cover versions of much loved songs, there are high points and other songs that just don’t work. We All Shine On: Celebrating The Music of 1970 is no different. There are many artists who have fun with the specific song (Jonathon Pushkar’s version of “I Think I Love You” is energetic and interesting) and turn their cover into something very interesting. Other artists simply perform an almost note for note cover (The Legal Matters’ version of Harrison’s “What Is Life”), while others try to interpret the song but lose the original body of the song (Diamond Hands’ version of “Lola” is interesting but does not live up to the potential). But overall, it is a fun album and a great opportunity to remember the golden days of radio, both AM and FM.

Interestingly, “Instant Karma (We All Shine On)” is not found on the album, even though the title of the compilation comes from the Lennon classic.

Big Stir Records Links