Search - Amboy Dukes :: Amboy Dukes

Not quite...

50 | hermitage, pa United States | 12/27/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I hate to disagree with Mr. Tammaro, but this does NOT contain the first two Amboy Dukes albums: it's their first album plus a previously unreleased song tacked on at the end. Also, of their three Mainstream releases, this is by far the weakest. If you want to hear some great Amboy Dukes music, get "Journey..." or "Migration" or the flawed but still very good "Loaded for Bear" best-of anthology."

Heavy Michigan garage rock circa 1967

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Michigan-based Amboy Dukes are better known for their second LP "Journey to the Center of the Mind," and as the incubator for the Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, than for this 1967 debut. Still, the band's calling card, a hammering, guitar-driven cover of Big Joe Williams' "Baby Please Don't Go" is here, and though Nugent neither wrote or sang lead, his ferocious playing was quite dominant. His talent elevated this beyond that of a garage band still learning their instruments, and like other Michigan bands (MC5, Stooges, Grand Funk), the Dukes were loud and heavy. No tinny Sears guitars or whining Farfisa organs here.



At times the band's attack was muted by Steve Farmer's hippie lyrics and some of-the-era instrumental touches like the sitar on "Psalms of the Aftermath." Perhaps this was meant to provide balance, as "Psalms" appeared as the B-side of "Baby Please Don't Go." Nugent would eventually take a virulently anti-drug stance, but not before cooking up the music to back Farmer's lysergic lyrics on songs like "Colors." John Drake was an adequate front man, but more impressive are the band's harmonies, particularly in covering The Who's "It's Not True."



The album's eleven original tracks are complemented by two bonuses on this CD, "J.B. Special" and "Sobbin' in My Mug of Beer." The former is reputed to have been considered as a single, and its fully-finished production with Nugent's guitar buzzing over a boogaloo beat is worth hearing; the latter sounds like a garage recording, with a tinny guitar and a lyric that sounds like a placeholder. Fans of Nugent's solo work may not find this sufficiently gonzo, but those who like garage rock (and the Dukes better known second LP) should give this a spin. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]"

Okay Garage Rock

Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 05/01/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably Terrible Ted's most collaborative effort, given his strong type A personality. For just starting out, this is more of a band effort than a Ted Nugent solo album. Though typical for the times, this record is a little heavy on cover songs. However, the potential shows through on the cuts penned by the band. Not the most memorable songs, but still structured very well for that psychedelic feel.



I was a little surprised to see Everyone Let's Get Stoned on there, considering Ted's stance on drugs and alcohol, but then again, this was a band, and being so early in his career, I'm guessing Ted had to play nice and work with these guys.



I'm not trying to sound negative about Ted Nugent, as I admire him as a musician, it's just that he is such a domineering personality when it comes to music, The Amboy Dukes are quite different from what he would do later. I think this is probably the most collaborative thing he's done until Damn Yankees. Then again, I haven't heard the second and third Amboy Dukes albums which I've heard have a strong Steve Farmer influence, at least up to a point.



After just a few bars, there is no question who's playing guitar. Even back then, Ted was shining through the mix.



Overall, this album has a psychedelic feel to it, and hints at what was to come on their second album, as in Journey To The Center Of Your Mind. It would not be my first choice for a classic psychedelic album, but it's not that bad either.



This is far from the best thing The Nuge has ever done, but it is a great start. Recommended for fans of his early work.

"