Firefall – Friends & Family 2
This was not one of my favorite bands, but I’ll give credit where credit is due. They could play & they had a sound that was a little edgier than Orleans, had a little Poco sibilance alive in their voices. Not as growly as Stephen Stills’ version of his “Love The One You’re With,” but it’s quite musical & retains its own excellence.
The same can be said for the band’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Go Your Own Way.” It’s not as exciting as Fleetwood Mac’s original, but it’s an equally driving & fiery set. Nothing second-class about Firefall’s album of covers. It’s a respectful hat tip to songs the band members must have admired by their peers, fellow musicians & were their friends.
The 12 covered tracks on this Friends & Family 2 (Drops May 23/Sunset Blvd Records/40:10) set were produced with clarity & muscle by Jock Bartley (lead, rhythm & slide guitars/acoustic & high string guitars/lead vocals/bgv/percussion) & recorded at various studios in Colorado & Oregon.
I’m surprised. They don’t sound like a cover band emulating these classics at all. They manage to construct these familiar tunes in their distinctive way. Neil Young’s “Mr. Soul” doesn’t have that Young eccentric nasal vocal, but they add a more melodic harmonic touch with a vibrant lead guitar delivery. The performance throughout has punch in the way The Byrds recorded covers of other artists’ songs in their day & embellished them with their magic.
While some songs come across better than others, there are no bad apples. Everything is well-recorded, played impeccably well & realized. Eddie Money’s “Shakin’” is one of 2 of the rockiest entries. Firefall does it with lots of rock n’ roll conviction & convincingly. The instrumental interplay is tight & wields the necessary thrills.
At times, I’m almost reminded of the vocals of Canada’s Loverboy in how the phrasing & tonality sprays from the speakers. Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright” is a hard song to pull away from Kenny since that song & “Somebody Knows” are 2 of the best rockers he ever recorded. Yet, Firefall does this Loggins tune justice. Excellent arrangement, clusters of voices & the rock spirit is genuine fireworks throughout the album.
Highlights – “Love The One You’re With,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Mr. Soul,” “Shakin’,” “I’m Alright,” “So You Want To be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” “Sail On, Sailor” & “Cool Change.”
Musicians – John Bishaha (bass/lead vocals/bgv), Steven Weinmeister (electric & acoustic rhythm guitars/bass/mandolin/lead vocals/bgv), Jim Waddell (flute/sax/keyboards) & Sandy Ficca (drums) with Wynonna Judd (bgv/vocal scats), Cactus Moser (drums), Richie Furay (bgv), Kenny Passarelli (bass), John Jorgensen (Rickenbacker 12-string guitar), Burleigh Drummond (drums), John Magnie (accordion), Eben Grace (electric, rhythm & Country picking guitars), Tudie Calderon (congas/timbales/percussion), Brian McRae (drums) & Taylor Marvin (additional electric rhythm guitar).
Color image courtesy of Jamey Bartley/Leighton Media. CD @ Amazon & Apple + https://officialfirefall.com/
Enjoy our interview here: Interview: Jock Bartley of Firefall on The Freedom of 1970s Songwriting and “Friends and Family 2”