Bronco "New Day Avenue"1971 Country Rock
- 9 years ago
Bronco "Ace of Sunlight" 1971 UK Country Rock
Yeah, these guys are totally unknown in the States; not that they were ever a name brand in their native UK. Singer Jess Roden was probably the most recognizable member having been a member of The Alan Bown Set, though the other members had played with an impressive collection of UK bands.
The group's sophomore album "Ace of Sunlight" was also the first effort to see a US release. Co-produced by Richard Digby Smith and the band, the use of an outside prodicer didn't result in a major change to the band's laidback, country-rock influenced sound. With Robbie Blunt, Kevyn Gammond, and Jess Roden all contributing material, songs like 'Time Slips Away', 'New Day Avenue' and the ballad 'Discernible' were professional and occasionally even likeable, but the album lacked much in the way of originality. Roden had a decent voice and the players were all technically proficient (guitarist Gammond turned in some nice leads throughout - check out his tasteful work on 'Sudden Street'), but the collection basically came off as an attempt to mimic various US bands - little bit of CSN&Y ('Amber Moon'), touch of Poco, and to spice it up a sprinkling of Led Zeppelin (the atypical hard rocker 'Woman' with Roden doing his best Robert Plant impression). To my ears it's always been one of those funny albums where individual songs were quite impressive, but as a whole the album just didn't make much of an impression. Take 'Time Slips Away' as an example. Great rocker with some really nice harmony vocals. It started slowly and built to a roaring conclusion - the volume actually seems to increase across the six minutes. Every time I hear it I think 'nice track'. Five minutes later I can't remember anything about it. As you've guessed, the album attracted little attention in the States and even fewer sales. (Needless trivia - Fairport Convention's Trevor Lucas and Mott the Hooples' Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs provided support on a couple of songs.)
Unfortunately the band's career took several big hits. Driving to a concert the band was involved in a nasty car accident which seriously injured Pasternack, Robinson, and several members of the band's touring crew.
Having recuperated, the band undertook a US tour which was meant by indifference. After a quick UK tour, in early 1972 Roden tendered his notice in order to join The Butts Band, followed by a solo career.
With Blunt next to leave, the remaining members decided to continue on. Recruiting guitarist Dan Fone and former Band of Joy singer/guitarist Paul Lockey, the revamped band signed a contract with Polydor, releasing a third album - 1973's "Smoking Mixture".
Yeah, these guys are totally unknown in the States; not that they were ever a name brand in their native UK. Singer Jess Roden was probably the most recognizable member having been a member of The Alan Bown Set, though the other members had played with an impressive collection of UK bands.
The group's sophomore album "Ace of Sunlight" was also the first effort to see a US release. Co-produced by Richard Digby Smith and the band, the use of an outside prodicer didn't result in a major change to the band's laidback, country-rock influenced sound. With Robbie Blunt, Kevyn Gammond, and Jess Roden all contributing material, songs like 'Time Slips Away', 'New Day Avenue' and the ballad 'Discernible' were professional and occasionally even likeable, but the album lacked much in the way of originality. Roden had a decent voice and the players were all technically proficient (guitarist Gammond turned in some nice leads throughout - check out his tasteful work on 'Sudden Street'), but the collection basically came off as an attempt to mimic various US bands - little bit of CSN&Y ('Amber Moon'), touch of Poco, and to spice it up a sprinkling of Led Zeppelin (the atypical hard rocker 'Woman' with Roden doing his best Robert Plant impression). To my ears it's always been one of those funny albums where individual songs were quite impressive, but as a whole the album just didn't make much of an impression. Take 'Time Slips Away' as an example. Great rocker with some really nice harmony vocals. It started slowly and built to a roaring conclusion - the volume actually seems to increase across the six minutes. Every time I hear it I think 'nice track'. Five minutes later I can't remember anything about it. As you've guessed, the album attracted little attention in the States and even fewer sales. (Needless trivia - Fairport Convention's Trevor Lucas and Mott the Hooples' Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs provided support on a couple of songs.)
Unfortunately the band's career took several big hits. Driving to a concert the band was involved in a nasty car accident which seriously injured Pasternack, Robinson, and several members of the band's touring crew.
Having recuperated, the band undertook a US tour which was meant by indifference. After a quick UK tour, in early 1972 Roden tendered his notice in order to join The Butts Band, followed by a solo career.
With Blunt next to leave, the remaining members decided to continue on. Recruiting guitarist Dan Fone and former Band of Joy singer/guitarist Paul Lockey, the revamped band signed a contract with Polydor, releasing a third album - 1973's "Smoking Mixture".