Label: Sundazed
Reissued 2022, Originally released 1969
Surging brass and organ-laden funk wonderment! Formed in 1967, Crow combines gritty blues with nasty, hard-charging garage rock. Inspired by the likes of The Ventures and The Trashmen, Minnesota natives Harry Nehls, Dick Wiegand, and Larry Wiegand combined forces with ex-Jokers Wild members David Wagner and Dave “Kink” Middlemist. Originally known as South 40, the band released two singles and one album, Live at Someplace Else, on Metrobeat Records. After winning a recording session with Columbia from a battle of the bands contest in Des Moines, Iowa, the band recorded five demos: Evil Woman, Time to Make a Turn, Busy Day, and White Eyes. Columbia didn’t offer the band a contract, but Dunwich signed the band. To give their sound a more commercial appeal, Dunwich added horns to Evil Woman without the band’s knowledge- and it worked! Crow signed with Capitol subsidiary Amaret Records after turning down Atlantic, hoping to be a big fish in a small pond. Recording their first electrifying album, Crow Music, in 1969, Crow delivered their very best. Before it was covered by Black Sabbath and Ike & Tina Turner, their acclaimed single, Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me), hit the Top 20 that Fall. Reminiscent of Blood, Sweat & Tears, Deep Purple, and James Gang, Crow blends an alluring mix of soul, funk, blues, psychedelia, and garage rock into one package. I’m sure you’ll agree Crow Music is a holy grail of heart-poundin’, grease grindin’ rock!
Track listing:
- Evil Woman
- White Eyes
- Thoughts
- Da Da Song
- Busy Day
- Time to Make a Turn
- Rollin'
- Listen to the Bop (Dedicated to Chuck Berry)
- Gonna Leave a Mark
- Sleepy Woman