Pure Prairie League – Back On Track
The first thing that’s exciting about this release is that even though it’s Pure Prairie League’s first new studio music in over 20 years, it doesn’t sound retro. The band has existed for 54 years & has built a legacy. It’s refreshing & has the Pure Prairie League classic sound buffed & shined with the vocals on “The Beginning” leaning a little more into a vintage Poco harmonic sound.
But the performance with some new members is embedded with their classic country-rock clarity. The most impressive thing is how their playing doesn’t sound like a revival. They do recapture accurately their stylistic music. “Picture Perfect Life” & “Back On Track” are both wonderfully upbeat & percussive. Purists may find “I Believe I Could Fall In Love With Loving You” as Pure Prairie League at its most commercial with a more mainstream thrust. But that wouldn’t be fair. The music is mature, the arrangements are superb & they preserved their initial style by always playing with enthusiasm.
Produced by Michael Reilly (veteran PPL bassist) the 12 tantalizing pieces of Back On Track (Drops Dec. 6/Pure Prairie League Records/44:51) let loose with an energetic foot-stomping well-played “Skippin’ Stones” that would give The Doobie Brothers, Seatrain, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils & Poco a run for their money. The tune is woven tight with musical textures that display the band’s still sharp instincts with finesse.
Yes, some songs are fairly typical but this is not a band that has been brought together to be innovative & it isn’t exactly a nostalgic romp either. Everything here is cushioned in modern suppleness with expressive vocals & fluent musicianship.
Getting away from the mainstream suggestion is the more hauntingly composed & performed “Modern Problem” — filled with an atmospheric mood. “A Love Like Yours” is the killer track on this set. Infectious, well sung & peppered by Jeff (Birdman) Kirk’s alto sax. Many of the songs have their degrees of catchiness but what’s impressive is the musicianship — tight & consistent. Even the old cover of the Lesley Duncan tune “Love Song” is presented with class.
The set is a well-thought-out menu of fine songs & performances that still retain the PPL potency & poignancy. And their old-timer mascot “Sad Luke” is on the cover to ensure its quality. Welcome back.
Highlights – “The Beginning,” “Picture Perfect Life,” “I Believe I Could Fall In Love With Loving You,” “Skippin’ Stones,” “Modern Problem,” “A Love Like Yours,” “Love Song,” “Six Feet of Snow” & “Back On Track.”
Musicians – John David Call (pedal steel guitar), Scott Thompson (drums/percussion/vocals), Randy Harper (keys/guitar/vocals), Jeffrey Zona (guitars/vocals), Jared Camic (basses/vocal) with Jenifer Wrinkle (fiddle), Mat Britain (steel drums/percussion) & Gary Burr (vocals). Arrangements by Michael Reilly & PPL were recorded in Madison & Hendersonville, TN.
Color image courtesy of Laura Schneider. CD @ Amazon + https://pureprairieleague.com/ & https://hemifran.com/news/detail/p/1787/Pure%20Prairie%20League/Back%20On%20Track/