Barry Cowsill CD US 1

Barry Cowsill CD U.S. 1

Written by Joe Viglione

Saturday, 22 August 2009 13:09

Thirteen songs written and produced by the late Barry Cowsill are an effective testament to the talented member of the group that hit #2 on Billboard in October of 1967 with an Artie Kornfeld/Steve Duboff composition, "The Rain, The Park and Other Things". Titled after the name of his band, U.S.1, this album provides a glimpse into the Cowsill named Barry's rock & roll sensibilities, unreleased recordings from 2005 coupled with previously unreleased outtakes. It's driving alternative rock with a definite country edge, from the opening blasts of "Walk Talk" to "Goin' Home"...no, no, no...not the Alvin Lee song from Artie Kornfeld's WOODSTOCK festival... this interesting saga has about as much to do with Ten Year's After's Woodstock hit as it does with "The Rain, The Park and Other Things". It's fun on an entirely different planet...and level...and shows Barry could escape the confines of his fame to break out and do truly innovative and interesting things. I first met Barry at Normandy Sound in 1987 or thereabouts...he was very low-key, a real gentleman, and he would've been thrilled with this package. A three-part gatefold with a two-page insert that includes a photo of a dog tag with an inscription: "In honor of Barry Cowsill: A True Genius who Died on The Levee 9-2-05." Musicians include Mike Warner on drums, Rick Singer on saxophone, pianist Johnny Juxo and legendary harmonica player James Montgomery. Cowsill plays bass, piano, guitars and does the singing. Some of the irreverence of Willie "Loco" Alexander is in tracks like "Jungle Lady", with the percussive stomps and quirky vocals, and what the album does is provide the listener with an entertaining and eclectic selection of original songs that are performed with heart and a dash of humor. In a perfect world this album should have garnered Barry Cowsill further musical respect had he lived - with his untimely passing it is up to his survivors like wife Debbie Scott Cowsill to spread the gospel. On an equally sad note, the late Ron Davies passed away on October 30, 2003 after sending me his newest CD and setting up an interview that never took place. Davies was the brother of noted country singer Gail Davies and wrote the title track of Three Dog Night's "It Ain't Easy" album, a song covered by David Bowie for Ziggy Stardust and Mitch Ryder for his Detroit album. My review of "Where Does The Time Go" was published on AMG and the sites that reissue AllMusic.com's content.

Last Updated on Monday, 24 August 2009 20:03