Teaser

by Tommy Bolin Band, Tommy Bolin

Overview

After performing in a variety of bands since the late '60s, Bolin finally released his first solo album in 1975. Teaser is an impressive display of the guitarist's prowess and range, and is a natural progression from the previous Bolin-dominated James Gang albums Bang and Miami, and his work with drummer Billy Cobham. Teaser includes several period piece rock & roll tracks, the foremost among them being the opener "The Grind," with its strolling piano, taut basslines, and Bolin's guitar strutting the line between boogie and glam. In addition to his prowess as a guitarist, this track also showcases his considerable ability as a vocalist. On "Homeward Strut," the first of two instrumentals here, Bolin's guitar takes center stage, centering on funky jazz-rock fusion. Both his rhythm playing and his lead work (single-string and slide) are paint peelers. Bolin was always equally adept at subtleties, as the ballads "Dreamer" and the Latin-tinged "Savannah Woman" (with percussion from Phil Collins) attest. That said, the album might have been better served had they not been sequenced back to back. The latter features Bolin showcasing the influence of Wes Montgomery's late style, as well giving a passing nod to Peter Green, yet with utterly original phrasing. The title track returns the '70s boogie back to prominence, with its easy stroll countered by tasty fills and playful, sexy signing. "People, People" showcases the guitarist's love of reggae and his ability to seamlessly wed it to hard rock, Latin percussion (courtesy of Sammy Figueroa), and soul-jazz. Saxophonist David Sanborn and keyboardist Jan Hammer also play key roles in this standout. Those three also go head to head with Bolin on the scorching jazz-rock instrumental "Marching Powder," which also includes drummer Narada Michael Walden. The other instrumental here, "Homeward Strut," focuses on the harder-edged funky side of jazz-rock fusion. The set closes with two power ballads central to Bolin's legend, "Wild Dogs" and "Lotus." Each tune has sparse elements of country rock that give way to molten power chords, labyrinthine fills, and eventually, roaring hard rock, and in the latter, reggae makes its return for a climactic finish. In 36-and-a-half minutes, Teaser is as near a rock classic as exists. It survives as Bolin's signature work. ~ Rob Caldwell & Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	05/31/2024
Label:	Cleopatra
UPC:	0889466528422
Rank:	2719

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tommy Bolin   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer,ARP Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Nels Cline   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Warren Haynes   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Greg Hampton   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Joe Bonamassa   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Peter Frampton   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Tommy Bolin Band   Primary Artist
Brad Whitford   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Gordie Johnson   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
John Scofield   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Myles Kennedy   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Oz Noy   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Derek Trucks   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Glen Hughes   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Steve Lukather   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Steve Morse   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Sonny Landreth   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Big Sugar   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Narada Michael Walden   Guest Artist,Drums
Jan Hammer   Guest Artist,Drums,Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Jeff Porcaro   Guest Artist,Drums
David Sanborn   Guest Artist,Saxophone
Phil Collins   Percussion
Prairie Prince   Drums
Glenn Hughes   Bass,Vocals,Featured Artist
Stanley Sheldon   Bass,Keyboards
David Brown   Vocals
Lee Kiefer   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Rafael Cruz   Percussion
Prarie Prince   Drums
Dave Brown   Vocals (Background)
Sammy Figueroa   Percussion
David Foster   Piano,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Sammy Zigueron   Percussion
Ron Fransen   Piano,Keyboards
Paul Stallworth   Bass
Bobby Berge   Drums

Technical Credits

Dennis MacKay   Producer,Original Recording Producer
Glenn Hughes   Composer
Stanley Sheldon   Composer
Gordie Johnson   Introduction,Additional Production
Lee Kiefer   Associate Producer,Engineer,Producer
Lorrie Sullivan   Photography
Jimmy Wachtel   Design,Artwork
Jeff Cook   Composer,Composer
Jeff Tesar   Composer
Dave Moore   Engineer
Nels Cline   Introduction
Tommy Bolin   Composer,Producer,Introduction
Glen Hughes   Composer
John Tesar   Composer
Greg Hampton   Producer,Introduction
Greg Calbi   Remastering
Warren Haynes   Producer