The late great rock writer Alan Betrock wrote a teaser in the discoveries column of The Rock Marketplace magazine...
And speaking of Curt Boettcher, how could we let a Discoveries column go by without the mention of another Boettcher effort? This time it's Song on MGM, a group that featured Mickey Rooney's son. These two sides were produced by Curt and Keith Olsen, and are quite delightful. \"Like We Were Before\" is the real standout sounding like Badfinger, the Nazz and Merry-Go-Round all rolled into one. Strong melody, excellent vocals and fine instrumentation throughout. \"Sugar Lady\" is a bit heavier, without any real melody to hook you, but there still are a couple of nice touches. Look for the review of the Song Lp in these pages next issue!
- Alan Betrock, The Rock Marketplace #4 December 1973
They formed in 1969, recorded and released one album in 1970, and were history within a year. Pretty much pure power pop here, but there are a couple of heavier rock and jazz infused tracks that veer away from it. The musicianship is solid, and I'm sure Curt Boettcher and Keith Olsen contributed some of their production and engineering wizardry to the final mix.
(Start times are approximate)
Side 1
00:00 10 X 10 (Garman / McDonald) (2:28)
02:37 Like We Were Before (Rooney Jr. / Covington) (2:05)
04:48 Eat Fruit (Garman / McDonald) (2:28)
07:24 Whenever I Think of You (Rooney Jr. / Blanchard) (2:06)
09:33 Banana High Noon (Garman / Rooney Jr.) (6:00)
Side 2
15:44 I'm Not Home (Rooney Jr. / Sardo) (3:42)
19:27 Wife (Rooney Jr.) (1:42)
21:10 Sugar Lady (Garman / Rooney Jr. / McDonald) (2:45)
24:01 Meatgrinder (Garman / Rooney Jr. / McDonald) (2:58)
27:06 Medicine Man (Garman) (7:19)
Clark Garman: Lead Guitar
Mickey Rooney Jr.: Rhythm Guitar
Rob Lewine: Bass
Shelly Silverman: Drums
There is little information easily searchable about this band. Here's what I've been able to find.
They evolved out of a San Francisco group called Tsong.
Rob Lewine was the bass player for Paul Cotton's Illinois Speed Press when they recorded their first album, but was fired before it's release by the band's producer. He had a short stint with the newly formed Little Feat, and played on the demo tapes that secured their recording contract with Warner Brothers. He left to join SONG, who were performing regularly, and already had a deal with MGM Records. He went on to play with Blues Image for a while before quitting the business, and becoming a successful professional photographer.
Clark Garman (Joyce Egan) won a scholarship to Berklee Jazz School in Boston at fourteen by winning a Downbeat Magazine contest in 1962. After touring the West with the group The Doppler Effect, a return to to L.A was in store to pursue a recording contract somewhere around '67/68. Know by insiders as an accomplished player, this album with SONG was recorded. Wrote and performed with a number of artists during the '70's, then recording for Infinity and RCA Records with the band In Transit in the early '80's. Partnered with Shelly Scott (a.k.a. Shelly Siverman/ Shelly Scott Silverman) and High Tech Productions, and continued write, produce, record and perform after High Tech's dissolution in 1994.
Shelly Siverman (a.k.a. Shelly Scott/ Shelly Scott Silverman/ Sheldon Scott Silverman) recorded his first album with the psychedelic band St. John Green, signed at MGM Records in 1967. In 1970 he signed to MGM records with Mickey Rooney Jr. and SONG. He played, toured, and recorded with a number of well known and successful artists throughout the '70's. In 1982 he founded High Tech Productions, a production and rental company that specialized in turnkey audio systems, including specialized programming and sound design techniques tailored for artists, producers, film companies, and recording studios. After it's dissolution in 1994 he returned to performing, producing and engineering again with a variety of well known artists.
Mickey Rooney, Jr., rhythm guitar [(lead vocals) I assume] He is the eldest son of the actor Mickey Rooney. He married Merci Montello (Playboy Playmate of the month December 1972) the same year this record was released. The rest is easy enough to find...☺
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