Hookfoot ‎– Good Times A’ Comin’ 1972 (UK, Blues Rock)

Hookfoot ‎– Good Times A’ Comin’ 1972 (UK, Blues Rock)

The name Hookfoot sounds as generic as Bulldog, Sweathog, and other pedestrian 1970s monikers, and the music on the group's second release, Good Times a' Comin', reflects just that. It's Elton John sessionmen -- Caleb Quaye, Dave Glover, and Roger Pope from Tumbleweed Connection and other John discs -- recording their Dick James-published songs which were produced at Dick James Studios and going for the brass ring on their own with feeble results. The a cappella ending to "Living in the City" shows they have vocal as well as instrumental chops, while "Gunner Webb's Changes" lifts musical passages right out of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Long Time Gone" and "Almost Cut My Hair." That should come as no surprise since they covered both Stephen Stills and Neil Young on their self-titled debut from 1971.

Lead guitarist Caleb Quaye writes or co-writes nine of the ten titles, vocalist Ian Duck is the runner up with six, but with titles like "Sweet Sweet Funky Music," "Slick's Blues for Jumbo," and "Flying in the U.S.A.," it's obvious the creativity of Bernie Taupin or Elton John is missing from this effort. The blues-oriented grooves are all solid and played with precision, but they also fail to excite. Some of it comes off like Savoy Brown without any bite. Why they didn't raid the Dick James vaults for a hit or ask their friends John and Taupin to throw them a hook is the real mystery of Hookfoot. It's an elaborate package, with a gatefold containing the lyrics and classy photos, but these aren't what one would classify as songs to be sold to other artists. "Look to Your Churches" sounds inspired by Traffic and the Band, but not up to those artists' standards.

Sometimes sidemen are supposed to be just that, lending their ability to translate a performer's ideas --01. Sweet Sweet Funky Music — 0:00

02. Living In The City — 3:13

03. If I Had The Words — 8:10

04. Gunner Webb’s Changes — 11:31

05. The Painter — 14:43

06. Flying In The U.S.A. — 20:45

07. Is Anyone There — 25:03

08. Slick’s Blues For Jumbo — 29:11

09. Look To Your Churches — 31:00

10. Good Times A’ Comin’ — 33:37


Personnel:

Caleb Quaye — guitars, piano, organ, lead & backing vocals, producer
Ian Duck — guitars, lead vocals (01, 03, 04, 09, 10), harp (03, 04, 08)
Dave Glover — bass
Roger Pope — drums, percussion
+
Bob Kulick — 2nd lead guitar, backing vocals (01)
Jeff Titmus — producer, engineer



⚠ If there are any copyright issues please contact me. I will remove the video.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use"