Betty — Handful 1971 (USA, Psychedelic, Hard, Boogie Rock)

Betty — Handful 1971 (USA, Psychedelic, Hard, Boogie Rock)


Originally recorded in 1971 by California's long-forgotten Betty, Handful is an interesting and frustrating album, but not because of any of the songs on it. The ten tracks are standard for the time period and show that the musicians were competent if not particularly imaginative songwriters. Opener "Boogie with You" has a distinct roadhouse feel reminiscent of the Doors or Canned Heat. Guitarists Mike McMahon and Anthon Davis lay down some funky guitar licks accented by Tom Jordan's piano and an able rhythm section comprising Al Rodriguez on drums and Kerry Kanbara on bass. And the other nine songs on the album are variations on this theme.

"Blind with Shame" contains some poppy guitar hooks and a catchy chorus, and "Thank You" replaces the piano with an organ and blues riffs with Moby Grape-inspired metal chords. On "Lights Gonna Shine," the band travels the farthest afield by trading out the shouted lyrics and boogie sensibility of the other tracks for a more folk-oriented point of view.

Listening to the album does pique an interest in the band that put them together, and in that regard Shadoks Music misses out. There was a huge opportunity here to track down the members of the band for interviews and have them put Handful into both an artistic and a historic context. It's nearly impossible not to wonder what became of Betty.
by Mike Burr



The only LP from the band from Sierra Madre, California. Initially, 200 copies were released on Thin Man Records. In 2007, the German label Shadocks Music reissued the album on CD, and the band's music became known to a much wider audience than during their time together. Excellent boogie-bike rock with a Southern flair. Most of the songs were written by a certain Lee Marks, who appeared on the project "Good Dog Banned."

Tracks:

01. Boogie With You - 0:00

02. Blind With Shame - 2:51

03. Just For Fun - 5:51

04. High Rollin' On The Freeway - 9:50

05. River Bummin' - 13:23

06. Handful (Of Love) - 16:58

07. Thank You - 20:17

08. Learn How To Boogie - 24:25

09. Harley Perdoo - 27:53

10. Lights Gonna Shine - 31:17


Personnel:

Anthon Davis - lead vocals
Mike McMahon - guitar, vocals
Kerry Kanbara - bass, vocals
Tom Jordan - keyboards
Al Rodriguez - drums
+
Lee Marks - backing vocals
Ed O'Donnell – engineer, backing vocals
Frank Fisher – engineer, producer

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