kcfoxy's Full Review: American Originals by Joy Of Cooking
What band is synonymous with both the San Francisco and Berkeley sound circa late 1960's-early 1970's, and sells for at least 8 times the list price for a hard to find, out-of-print Greatest Hits package?
The answer is Joy Of Cooking, a heady melange of folk, blues, jazz and rock, formed in 1967. A band of 5, with unusual keyboard leads, lead guitar stepping back into a righteous rhythm slot, and a professionally trained pianist on backing vocals, harmonica and funky conga drums!
Stir in a jazz-inspired drummer, and changeable bassist, and factor in an average starting age of over 30 years, and the stage is set for a magical musical alchemy.
I've seen Capitol/EMI's excellent 1993 compilation, American Originals-Joy Of Cooking, for sale on both eBay and Half.com for upwards of $65. This speaks to JOC's abiding cult following, a testimony of sorts, nearly 30 years since the group disbanded.
Original members include the two bandleaders:
Toni Brown: keyboards, steel guitar, guitar, vocals
Terry Garthwaite: vocals, 6 and 12 string guitar, bottleneck guitar
and excellent, supporting rhythm section:
Fritz Kaster: drums and percussion
Ron Wilson: congas, harmonica, backing vocals
David Garthwaite: bass (first album only)
Jeff Neighbor: bass and vocals, (subsequent albums)
American Originals-Joy Of Cooking
Besides the talent, what sets this generous 18 tracks compilation apart from the standard sort of Greatest Hits package from most groups, is the inclusion of 5 songs from beyond the 3 Joy Of Cooking album output. These 3 albums, Joy Of Cooking, (1971), Closer To The Ground, (1971), and Castles, (1972), are available through collectors and the second-hand market as vinyl releases.
Terry and Toni's 1973 duo release, Cross Country, was recorded in Madison, TN and is more strongly associated with their country and folk roots; again available on vinyl.
Two songs, As I Watch The Wind, and the stand-out, Midnight Blues, are included for the true fan, (although the latter is an early crowd pleaser).
Most rare, are 3 previously unreleased tracks, Such Days Are Made For Walkin', Ain't Nobody Got The Blues Like Me, and one that sounds just like something you'd except to hear from a soundtrack like O Brother, Where Are Thou?, You Gonna Reap Just What You Sow. These come from Joy's 4th album, the unreleased Same Old Song And Dance, 1973!
Of the 13 other cuts, there is only one I would have traded out for a better song, Only Time Will Tell Me, sorely missed in its exclusion.
The single CD opens with one of Joy's most vibrant and infectious tunes, the Brownsville/Mockingbird melody, many consider the hallmark of this folksy rock sound. A duet between the raspy, expressive vocal gymnastic Garthwaite, and the more clear and pure second soprano of Brown, lead position hints at other musical treats to come.
Brown's own Red Wine At Noon, slows the set down with an introspective and lonesome look at a middle-aged woman's regret for a life that's passed her by, blunted with alcohol. This contrast between rollicking and sedate helps to showcase each tune, including the following workout, Did You Go Downtown?
Gathwaite owns this near-8 minute opus, and the extended bridge offers up joyous scat singing whose range and variety bring to mind the truly amazing vocal pyrotechnics of the late Tim Buckley. (Author's note: yes, this is Jeff Buckley's Dad).
The first of several country-flavored numbers, New Colorado Blues, highlights Brown's propensity for the more high and lonesome sound. Toni's steel guitar compliments the pitch-perfect close vocalization that brings to mind bluegrass and Americana singers-songwriters, and for some reason Michael Nesmith.
A couple of the funkier songs, Humpty Dumpty and Pilot pull dancers back out onto the floor. The former, speaks to the need for a woman's independence-a fairly new theme in the otherwise misogynistic early 70's. This points up JOC's smart and topical lyrics, as much as the strong, womanly presence.
Pilot, is on one level, an infectious romp, and on another, a sly sexual reference, with plenty of rinky dink keyboards and pulsating congas:
I had a long conversation,
With an old friend of mine.
We talked about aviation
And the ups and downs of flying.
(Don't you know now),
My friend said he had lessons
In a plane that really flew.
And if I'd want some sessions
You know he could see me through.
He said I know just where to take you
It's a famous wonderland,
(But) I'm not sure I can make you
Come down to earth again.
The folky, unplugged sound of The War You Left, is followed by another Joy Of Cooking classic, Closer To The Ground. Some critics hint this one is somewhat out of date, but my rejoinder, "it's classic, in much the same way as Buffalo Springfield's haunting protest number, For What It's Worth."
Whenever I hear the line from Dire Straits'Money For Nothing, "banging on those bongos like a chimpfest," I think of Ron Wilson's wonderful percussion enveloping Brown's slightly jazzy piano, and Garthwaite's trademark scatting.
Likewise likable, the lesser known Hometown Man, blends a slinky rock riff with some of Terry's smoothest singing on the pitfalls of touring. This seques into the fan favorite, Beginning Tomorrow, hypnotic in nature, and with Toni's vocals set in an arrangement somehow reminiscent of Natalie Merchant's Ophelia.
One of the jazzier cuts, Beginning Tomorrow is one of the several tracks from JOC's third album, Castles, which are enlivened by use of saxophone and flute, and point up more of Kaster's influence. The balance of songs included from this release, however, hint at the ladies' growing interest in folk and country sound.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
If nu-metal, hip-hop or rap music are your abiding interests, this group's body of work may not be your particular cup of tea. With my disparate interests in rock, blues, jazz, R&B, funk, bluegrass and folk, I see Joy Of Cooking as seminal in the development of eclectic trends which followed.
Like the aforementioned Tim Buckley, JOC mines many influences, and like the 4-octaved male songbird, succeeds in almost every case. In a perfect world, Only Time Will Tell Me, would have been included, and Capitol/EMI Records would see fit to re-release one of the most popular recordings in its excellent American Originals series.
This one gets the coveted 5 star rating. The recordings stand up well for the limitations of the early 70's studios, and 18 tracks is generous by any standards. For those desiring a more affordable taste of JOC's body of work, the still in-print cassette, Retro Rock # 3, Joy Of Cooking, is probably available in a cut-out bin near you.
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