Can you imagine what I felt at that moment hearing those words? Not to mention, the source of those words? At last. He told me if I thought I was good enough to play with Bim Bam, I might like to audition for Redbone. I recall Tony’s face when I unveiled my intentions. With my swagger in full gear, I proceeded with my plan. If I had approached Butch first this would have drastically altered my path. ![]() I couldn’t see approaching Butch even though he was the leader of the band. I would tape the show, learn the tunes, and ask for a shot at playing for Bim Bam. With my swagger now fully decalcified after months of abuse, I developed a plan of attack. The reason I had hope was because I noticed Bim Bam was using different drummers from week to week. I was still working with Horace four nights a week but now I had hope. I knew if they saw I was a friend, I'd be in for sure. ![]() I was not old enough yet to get in so I waited for Tony. I remember going out that cold and rainy night. A door now reveled itself and I had a key. The way I saw it, it was either go for it or have died there with Horace and this was not to be my fate. Although my swagger had taken some direct blows in recent days that left me feeling less than invincible, my swagger talked me into it. After all, I had been playing in bands for years. At the very least I’d finally get a chance to talk with Tony T-bone Bellamy as a colleague. ![]() Was this the miracle I had been waiting for? After all I was at my musical crossroads. The fact that they were playing at Bill Medley’s nightclub was a sign I could not ignore. He was a great player and still is.īutch played drums on “Come And Get Your Love” on the Wovoka album and on the Beaded Dreams and Message from a Drum albums.īutch is the younger brother of Barry Rilera, the guitarist for The Righteous Brothers. Tony is also responsible for a big part of the Redbone sound and much of their success. Tony had played on several Redbone albums. Tony Bellamy and Butch Rilera had a gig on Monday nights. ![]() At the time I did not question these things. I now know the hand that directs me in my life is not my own. That’s just one more thing in the favor of this album: they were unafraid to experiment and try things with the enthusiasm of (relative) youth.I have no recollection of ever being told by anyone of Tony & Butch’s gig at Bill Medley’s Nightclub in Fountain Valley, Ca. “What’s The Use” is another lead vocal from Richard and “All I Can Do” with its jazz vibe and Karen’s excellent vocal is like nothing else Carpenters ever recorded. Richard’s “Don’t Be Afraid” is a slice of whimsy, but there’s no harm in whimsy when it is so well arranged and with a great chorus to boot. Side two opens with their hit single, a very singular cover of this Lennon and McCartney classic that Carpenters make their own. You would have been blown away.Ī cover of the Youngbloods hit “Get Together” is next and that’s followed by another Karen ballad, Richard’s solo composition “All of My Life.” Side one of the original album ends with Richard singing “Turn Away.” Imagine that you had bought this album in October 1969 and got to the third track and heard Karen’s lead vocals for the first time. It is another track that belies the youth and relative inexperience of the siblings. Richard and John Bettis, who had originally been in a band called Spectrum that featured Carpenters, wrote “Your Wonderful Parade” and seven other tracks on the album, including the beautiful ballad, “Someday” which is up next.
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