sparkospunky's Full Review: Best of Pure Prairie League by Pure Prairie League
Pure Prairie League was formed in 1970, in Columbus, Ohio by Craig Fuller, George Powell and John David Call. Other members came and went throughout the years, most notably country superstar Vince Gill, and but it didn't really matter who was in the lineup--this group always perfectly blended pop and country styles to create a sound which almost defies categorization. Their use of a pedal steel guitar and traditional acoustic instruments allowed them to open up an entire new musical vista, and along with bands like Poco, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Little Feat, they exerted an influence on such rock behemoths as The Eagles.
The band took their name from a woman's temperance group in the Errol Flynn movie Dodge City, and their symbol, a cowboy named Luke, was taken from a Norman Rockwell painting. Luke appears on the cover of all of their albums with his droopy moustache and sad look, and he graces the cover of Best Of Pure Prairie League as well.
Best Of Pure Prairie League contains this band's best work. Even though it purports to be a "greatest hits" collection, these guys weren't chartbusters--with the exception of one monster hit, the ubiquitous Amie, Pure Prairie League toiled in relative obscurity. Still, their work was pristine, and their influence pervasive--this album is very representative of their music and demonstrates the genre that they helped create.
My Comments On The Album
Amie and Falling In And Out Of Love, are a "mini-medley"--even though Amie is first, it sounds like it should be the other way around, and I think it is on Bustin' Out. The country influence on these songs is apparent, and as I said before, Amie is the biggest hit that Pure Prairie League ever had--it almost has the feel of a country hoedown, complete with acoustic instruments and beautiful harmonies.
That'll Be The Day is a cover of the old Buddy Holly classic--you know that a band has it going on when they pay tribute to a master by covering his song! Two Lane Highway and Let Me Love You Tonight are more pop-themed tunes (dare I say commercial?) that still keep a good country melody in focus, while I'm Almost Ready is a pretty edgy rocker that features some fancy guitar work, but not at the expense of sacrificing the country sound.
Pure Prairie League is always mellow, and I Can't Stop This Feelin' and Still Right Here In My Heart feature piano and beautiful harmonies which illustrate the band's knack for blending different musical styles and themes. You're Mine Tonight is a slightly bluesy, laid-back tune that features a nice saxaphone and some tight harmonies, while I'll Be Damned succeeds as a pure county jam, with some nice "chicken pickin'" on the guitars. Don't Keep Me Hangin' and Something In The Night have a southern rock 'n roll feel, with a heavy dose of country.
Janny Lou and Tell Me One More Time are nice piano ballads, with some very emotional saxophone work on the former. The vocals in both tunes are reflective, which I guess what a ballad is all about. At any rate, Pure Prairie League proves that it can play serious music by leaving the upbeat hilarity of country-pop by the wayside on these songs.
There are fourteen tracks on this collection, and I said before, it's a good album that gives the listener a good idea of the music of Pure Prairie League. The little booklet that accompanies the album contains a detailed history of the band, and provides a lot of information that you might be interested in.
I recommend this album for anyone who likes this style of music--I listen to it often, particularly when I'm stressed and need to "mellow out". It's really good mood music, but it also gives the listener a little insight into this musical movement that begin in 1970.
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