My final frenzy into the career of Johnny Rivers includes two latter day releases that encapsulate the California singer - songwriter persona beautifully. These two albums together make such an excellent pair, that this actually could very well be a double album. Each disc compliments the other so much that, having owned this for many years, I can't imagine owning one without the other. If (like me) you prefer J.R.'s later work like Rewind and Realization, this is a must-have. It includes some of his most beautiful covers ever - superbly sung & produced - as well as his own classic "Permanent Change." My favorites are "Brass Buttons", "Apple Tree" (both by Gram Parsons), "Enemies & Friends", "Wrote a Song for Everyone" (GREAT version), "Muddy River", "Moving to the Country" and, of course, "Into the Mystic". Sure, it's nice to have the original artists' versions - but I miss the days when an incredible, soulful singer like J.R. could work his magic and make these terrific songs his own.
First up is Slim Slo Slider, a 1970 release that continued Rivers’ string of solid albums that peaked with 1968’s Realization (which I consider one of the great forgotten albums of the rock era). Recording a mix of his own material and songs from some of the great writers and performers of the era, Rivers laid down an aural canvas of life in California – and to some degree in the entire U.S. – as the 1960s turned into the 1970s. From Changes in 1966 through Rewind (1967), Realization (1968) and Slim Slo Slider (1970) and culminating in 1971’s Home Grown, Rivers kept up an astounding level of quality, and each of those albums is worth seeking out. (He continued to record, of course, but his succeeding albums were not quite as powerful.)
Even if you are not a big J.R. fan but love "singer/songwriter" songs - here you'll find songs by Jackson Browne, James Taylor, John Fogerty, Van Morrison, Gram Parsons & more. I wish J.R. had made twenty more albums like these two!
Slim Slo Slider - 1970
1. Slim Slo Slider (Prologue)
2. Wrote a Song for Everyone
3. Muddy River
4. Rainy Night in Georgia
5. Brass Buttons
6. Glory Train
7. Jesus Is a Soul Man
8. Apple Tree
9. Into the Mystic
10. Ressurrection
11. Enemies and Friends
12. Slim Slo Slider
2. Wrote a Song for Everyone
3. Muddy River
4. Rainy Night in Georgia
5. Brass Buttons
6. Glory Train
7. Jesus Is a Soul Man
8. Apple Tree
9. Into the Mystic
10. Ressurrection
11. Enemies and Friends
12. Slim Slo Slider
Homegrown - 1971
1. Moving to the Country
2. My New Life
3. Our Lady of the Well
4. Look at the Sun
5. Rock Me on the Water
6. Song for Michael
7. Permanent Change
8. People Get Ready
9. So Far Away
10. Fire and Rain
11. Think His Name
2. My New Life
3. Our Lady of the Well
4. Look at the Sun
5. Rock Me on the Water
6. Song for Michael
7. Permanent Change
8. People Get Ready
9. So Far Away
10. Fire and Rain
11. Think His Name
