Ten Wheel Drive Genya Ravan - Best of +Album Reviews

One of the best bands you've never heard

B. McEwan | Brooklyn, NY USA | 11/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1970, Janis Joplin died and, while I knew there would never be another Janis, I was desperate to find a female vocalist whose voice had at least some guts and grit to it. Enter Genya Ravan and the Ten Wheel Drive with their album, Brief Replies. Genya could belt out the notes and she had tunes that made me laugh as well as rock. Morning Much Better was one of them, as was my all-time favorite Ten Wheel Drive song, No Next Time, from their album, Peculiar Friends. Sadly, I don't believe either of those records is available on CD. I still have my vinyl copies, but if you don't and you'd like to sample the Great Genya, then pick up this "best of" compliation and discover what you've been missing. Five stars all the way."

The Best Things, you never heard of...

Jim Smith | Oakland, CA United States | 09/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somewhere in the late 1970's, I found myself in a quandry... I was exploring jazz, and disenchanted with the direction that CHICAGO and TOWER OF POWER were headed in... too dammed commercial. I've always been a lyrics guy, and one for a great horn section. I love STEELY DAN.
It was into this void that TEN WHEEL DRIVE came into my life. Like most things, it was an accident of fate... just me thumbing through a stack of forgotten albums (prior to the concept of CD's)at a music store in Berkeley.
At first, it was their arrangements, a complex musical working and working... then Genya Raven and that oddly melodious voice of hers... the one on "House in Central Park". It was slightly subterranian, slightly reality. THEN... they cranked up the score and the horns came in!!! There was a "smartness" to their sound, a maturity.
I loaned my albums to a FM disk jockey and never saw them again... my fault.
There are many songs not included but, considering how forgotten much of this music is... I'll take it.

Jim Smith
TRAVEN8@HOTMAIL.COM"

THIS CD IS AWESOME

Jim Smith | 03/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ordered this CD for a significant other. The ABSOLUTE BEST CD I have ever heard!!!! This CD is a kepper (and so is he). 10 stars for this one - especially Stay With Me. Best 49.95 I EVER EVER spent!!!!"

A TRUE ORIGINAL

Bobby Bones | NY USA | 09/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is at the moment the only cd of this great band. It is out of print so go to your on line sellers. But lets update a bit. Genya ia alive well & living in NYC. Her New book Lollipop Lounge is available now on Amazon. This book will blow you away! I didnt expect the intense story. Also Genya's Urban Desire & And I Mean It are in print for the first time in years. She considers theses cd's to be her best. Go to www.hip-oselect.com This is the only way to get these. Also go to www.genyaravan.com foe all the latest news gig's total overview of her career."

Driving Rock Fusion with Genya Ravan

gassy goon | 06/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A collection of most of their best songs from the 3 albums that TEN WHEEL DRIVE Featuring GENYA RAVAN released between 1969 - 1971. These songs sound so clear & fresh on CD. The voice of Genya Ravan fronting a jazz/rock band with a heavy dose of r&b and blues influences is amazing to hear now all these many years later.

TIGHTROPE is just power at it's zenith, with Genya's high octane vocals & the bands fusion of rock with horns. Wait until you hear the end of this song! That's POWERFUL music. MORNING MUCH BETTER is a short blast of energy that was a Top 100 hit in 1970. Labelle covered it soon after on their 1971 debut album. SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE is a beatiful song & gentle performance by Genya that should have been a single, and a big hit. One of their best, understated songs. Likewise, I HAD HIM DOWN is another softer song that features a winsome sound that showed another side of this band. There's no shortage of great music & powerful performances on this CD! HOW LONG BEFORE I'M GONE has so many influences & changes in it, it's a non-stop tour-de-force. True, PULSE from their 2nd album should have been on it, but other than that no complaints.

This band should have been as big as the other ' horn' bands of the late 60's/early 70's , like Blood Sweat & Tears or Chicago. The sound is rich, powerful, riveting. Genya Ravan would record many more albums as a solo artist, and cover a lot of ground on her later works. Here, hear her roar at the height of her vocal powers backed by an astounding band of musicians. Timeless music , great vocalist."

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	Ten Wheel Drive, Genya Ravan Best of Genres: Pop, Rock
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