Love - The Blue Thumb Recordings

LA group’s post-Elektra recordings and more

Just three months after Arthur Lee’s revamped incarnation of Love issued their Elektra swansong, Four Sail, in September 1969, the band rushed out a sprawling 17-track double album, Out Here, for their new label Blue Thumb. Often overlooked in the combo’s canon, Out Here, which largely resulted from the same sessions that yielded Four Sail, is paired with its Blue Thumb follow-up, 1970’s False Start, for this excellent internet-only 3-CD compilation.

On Out Here, the baroque-like harpsichord and flute-led orchestration of the group’s psychfolk magnum opus Forever Changes is conspicuously absent, replaced by leaner arrangements and, on songs such as Signed DC, I’m Down and Stand Out, a harder, electric blues-rock sound prevails. But the whimsical charm of earlier Love recordings manifests itself on Listen To My Song and Discharged.

False Start is a less satisfying LP and witnesses Lee increasing the lysergic hard-rock quotient (epitomised by Jimi Hendrix’s presence on The Everlasting First). The real attraction for Love aficionados, though, is the third CD, devoted to previously unheard live material taken from a 1970 UK tour. The performances are strong, with older numbers My Little Red Book, Andmoreagain, Orange Skies and Bummer In The Summer getting an airing.

Hip-O Select | B0007827-02

Reviewed by Charles Waring
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