Now Playing: Bill Rinehart
Topic: Addition
And here's one of the top scoops of the year...
BILL RINEHART (Los Angeles, CA)
Dynamite 1976 (Tiger Lily 14020)
In what must rank as one of the most remarkable discoveries so far on the notorious tax-scam Tiger Lily label, there surfaced a previously unknown solo LP from Bill Rinehart, in all likelihood the ex-Leaves guitarist. Sound clips from the album give evidence of a very good album indeed, seemingly from the inflection point where late '60s folkrock turned into '70s singer-songwriter. Comparisons to Steven Stills' early solo LPs (with the typical female backing vocals) or Ron Elliott's Candlestickmaker could be made, and Rinehart seems to have his shit completely together, with rich guitar-keyboard arrangements, rock steady (wrecking crew?) playing, melodic, slightly dreamy lead vocals, and soaring fuzz leads. Presumably recorded in 1972-73, Rinehart's mix of nicely finalized talent and laidback approach would have fit well on the Tumbleweed label. There is a drastically rearranged cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway" which was released on 45 in '73 (on the Mums label, with CBS distribution) coupled with the last track "Cut My Line", while the rest of Rinehart's album lingered in the vaults until the Tiger Lily mafiosos 'released' it in 50 copies or so. [PL]
PS the complete tracklist: Cherokee / Circle Circle / Dragon Fly / Dynamite / Loving Words / Revenge / Tender Loving Care / Runaway / Cut My Love [should probably be Cut My Line]
PPS astute reader Griff points out that Bill Rinehart was also lead guitarist for the Gene Clark Group and Merry-Go-Round, and produced the Fields LP with a proto-Yahowan Sunflower Aquarian on bass. Someone should perhaps contact Rinehart for a pow-wow and a peace pipe, as there are likely stories to be told.
