The Beckies – Good To Know: The Beckies Story – Double CD
Originally released on the Sire label in 1976, this was the band’s debut. It begins with its 11 reissued remastered tunes written by the late Michael Brown (keyboards) & Gary Hodgen (drums/vocals). Disc 2 includes 13 well-recorded unissued demos that will interest fans & completists. The demo songs were written by Michael Brown & Scott Trusty (vocals) except for 3 co-written by Mr. Hodgen.
Disc 1 of the double CD Good To Know: The Beckie’s Story (Drops Feb 28/Omnivore/Warner Bros) was originally produced, arranged & conducted by Michael with Ron Frangipane & recorded in NYC. While disc 2 (tracks 1-10) was originally produced in a warehouse in Soho, NYC by Mr. Trusty (1974-75).
Tracks 11-13 were recorded at Mercury Recording Studios (NYC -1975). This new compilation was produced for release by Daniel Coston & Cheryl Pawelski. So, this reissue generously provides 24 songs.
People who know their oldies from the ‘60s will remember that Mr. Brown was once in a hit Smash Records band The Left Banke. He co-wrote their hit singles (“Walk Away Renee” & “Pretty Ballerina”) & was co-produced by Harry Lookofsky (Michael’s jazz & classical violinist father who plays violin on 3 demo tracks).
From this work Michael joined singer Ian Lloyd in Stories where they had other hits in 1973. Then it was on to The Beckies & while that band had plenty of energy, great pop instincts with some fiery lead guitar it wasn’t the same sophisticated baroque pop of The Left Banke or the garage elegance of The Box Tops. They did set a frenetic pace, many pop bands of its kind lacked.
Fortunately, The Beckies weren’t as saccharine as Stories. They had muscle in their showcase. But this was a varnished pop music, not garage raw, or R&R processed & carved from Elvis, Little Richard, or Chuck Berry. It isn’t clever like The Beatles, or Beach Boys, but it was closer to The Left Banke/Kinks recipe (at least “Fran,” “Other Side of Town” & “On The Morning That She Came” were).
The music was varied. “River Song” is one of the most ambitious & well-arranged pieces. Although the demos lack some final sonics from a finished production, they shouldn’t be ignored. The quality is impressive with some excellent piano on “She Wrote a Song.”
Maybe the timing wasn’t right. It was still the disco era (1976) penetrated by New Wave, punk & music that was far more aggressive (The Clash & Cheap Trick) than their well-crafted power pop. Bands like REO Speedwagon were thriving by a thread. Too bad, since some well-conceived music slipped between the cracks along with bands like Trickster, the Stanky Brown Band (they even had lead guitarist Leslie West on some tracks) & The Beaver Brothers. The Beckies are still worth exploring. Good is good.
Michael (1949-2015) passed away in 2015 followed by Tom Finn (1948-2020).
Highlights – CD 1 (32:36): “Right By My Side (Etude),” “River Bayou,” “Fran,” “Other Side of Town,” “River Song,” “On The Morning That She Came,” “One of These Days” & “Run, Jenny, Run.”
CD 2 (41:24): “Blue Monday,” “Blue Monday (version 2),” “She Wrote a Song,” “Song Called Love,” “Do I,” “Good To Know” & “River Song.”
Musicians – Mayo James McAllister (guitar/vocals), Mark Abel (bass/vocals) & Tommy Finn (harmony vocals).
An 8-page stitched liner note insert is included. CD at Amazon + https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/good-to-know/
