skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Pure Prairie League are an American country-rock band.
After the release of 1972's Bustin' Out, bassist Michael Reilly (who had appeared on the album) joined Pure Prairie League as a full-time member. However it was then that lead singer and guitarist Craig Fuller had to do six months for draft evasion, and on his release he was uninterested in rejoining the band, who were then dropped by their record label RCA. But they perservered, Reilly, guitarist George Powell and drummer Billy Hinds being joined by guitarist Larry Goshorn, keyboardist Michael Connor (who had also played on Bustin' Out) and pedal steel guitarist John David Call (who had been a member before, and had been on their debut album). They continued to play live with a heavy touring schedule, and slowly built up a strong following. Then in 1974 their song "Amie" (written by Fuller) became a belated radio hit, and they were re-signed by RCA.Their third album, Two Lane Highway, came out in 1975, with the lineup of Powell, Reilly, Connor, Call, Goshorn and Hinds. By this point their sound had changed somewhat, with a more commercial country-rock style. The album featured strong originals (mostly written by Goshorn) alongside covers of "Kansas City Southern" (by Gene Clark) and "I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle" (by Nick Gravenites, from his time with Big Brother & The Holding Company), and there were guest appearance from Emmylou Harris, Don Felder and Chet Atkins. The vocals were shared between Powell, Reilly, Goshorn and Call.It became their most successful album yet, getting to #24 on the charts.
Bustin' Out (1972) <|> If The Shoe Fits (1976)
More from Pure Prairie League
Download
Pure Prairie League are an American country-rock band.
After a strong debut album, Pure Prairie League underwent some changes when John David Call, Jim Lanham and Jim Caughlan all left the band. At the same time frontman Craig Fuller was facing charges for draft evasion. However their persevered and recorded a second album, guitarists Fuller and George Powell being joined by drummer Billy Hinds. They were also helped out by lots of session musicians, including pedal steel guitarist Al Clark and keyboardist Michael Connor. There were also string arrangements on several songs, arranged by Mick Ronson.Bustin' Out was released just five months after its predecessor, and considering the band's situation at the time, it really is a fantastic album. However shortly after its release Fuller had to face trial, and was sentenced to six months. At the same time the band was dropped by RCA. The future did not look bright. When Fuller was released, the band reformed with John David Call and new members, but Fuller declined to rejoin. They began to tour heavily, and then surprisingly one of the songs from Bustin' Out, "Amie", became a big radio hit. The album was re-released, and "Amie" eventually made it to #27. Thing were finally looking up for the band, but it was almost an entirely new lineup that came to record their next album, and the Craig Fuller era of Pure Prairie League was over.
Pure Prairie League (1972) <|> Two Lane Highway (1975)
More from Pure Prairie League
Download
Pure Prairie League are an American country-rock band.
The band went through several members before they settled on the lineup of their debut album - Craig Fuller (lead guitar/vocals), George Powell (rhythm guitar/vocals), John David Call (steel guitar), Jim Lanham (bass) and Jim Caughlan (drums). Their self-titled album consisted of some laid-back country-rock, with strong songwriting throughout (most of the songs written by Craig Fuller), good vocal harmonies, and some exciting instrumental interplay between Fuller and Call (best demonstrated on the 7-minute "Country Song").
|> Bustin' Out (1972)
More from Pure Prairie League
Download
After the release of 1972's Bustin' Out, bassist Michael Reilly (who had appeared on the album) joined Pure Prairie League as a full-time member. However it was then that lead singer and guitarist Craig Fuller had to do six months for draft evasion, and on his release he was uninterested in rejoining the band, who were then dropped by their record label RCA. But they perservered, Reilly, guitarist George Powell and drummer Billy Hinds being joined by guitarist Larry Goshorn, keyboardist Michael Connor (who had also played on Bustin' Out) and pedal steel guitarist John David Call (who had been a member before, and had been on their debut album). They continued to play live with a heavy touring schedule, and slowly built up a strong following. Then in 1974 their song "Amie" (written by Fuller) became a belated radio hit, and they were re-signed by RCA.
Posts
