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Show J. Geils Band, Ramatan match in 'worthless' rock recordings by VERDO THOMAS Chronicle Staff "Live" Full House J. Geils Band Atlantic 7241 Lack of ability and creativity reek on three LPs just reviewed.The newest addition to the Atlantic records collection of the J. Geils Band shows the rock 'n roll revival at its worst. The group performed live for this album at the Cinderella Ballroom, Detroit, Mich. The recording was handled fairly well, but the group, as usual, played with all the skill of the old "Battle of the Bands" group, typical of the amateurs that assembled at the group, shows that the corporation must be desperate for new talent. Ramatam does, however, feature some interesting personnel. One lead guitar is a charming young lady (at least it appears so on the cover jacket) named April Lawton, and on drums guess who of all people? None other than the acclaimed ac-claimed Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The three other male members of the group are: Mike Pinera, guitar and vocals; Russ Smith, bass guitar and vocals; and Tommy Sullivan, keyboards, reeds and vocals. Nothing outstanding will be heard on this LP, and certainly nothing coming even close to creativity could be hoped for. Ramatam is as typical, incoherent and non-sensical as its name. Heavy Cruiser Family Productions 2706 The members of Heavy Cruiser wish to be anonymous and who could blame them? They have . succeeded in recording about the best recorded trash on the market. The technical quality of this LP is excellent, and the performance isn't bad but creativity and "tightness" are certainly not one of its assets. Heavy Cruiser is a product of the current rock 'n roll resurrection that has tended to stifle creative progress in the market and has developed into a sort of musical syndrome. No one knows which direction good music should go and these gusy definitely don't either. The total sound is "plastic" and very commercial. The first selection on side two was sort of good and quite nostalgic. It was entitled, "Louie, Louie." The company who released this LP (Family Production) might have done it to get a little extra cash and that's cool, only I wish they wouldn't try to do it at our expense. 1 1 Terrace Ballroom every week-end night, during the mid-'60's. Stereo Review, in its August issue, rated Grand Funk low and "amateurism" on its list. The J. Geils Band should be rated even lower than them. Their thoroughly rancid versions of great R&B songs ("First I Look at the Purse," by Smokey Robison and "Looking for a Love," by J. W. Alexander) leaves one little desire for listening to the rest of the album. Ramatam. Atlantic REcords The Atlantic recording corporation cor-poration must like to either record any 'ole thing or have lousy producers, because the first recording of Ramatam, a very typical present-day hard rock 1 |