Search - The Blues Image :: Blues Image/Red, White and Blues Image

Heavy Cuban American/ Latin beat from Tampa Florida

Oswald Placeres | Netherlands | 04/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These (5) five great talented individuals met and formed their band in Tampa Florida circa 1968-69; they recorded their first album "Blues Image" for ATCO and was released in 1970. They blended the American rock, blues with a Cuban/Latin sound that was not very common in those days (only Santana band was experimenting with it California) and were very good at it! A song that was very good was "Leaving My Troubles Behind", which is include here. The other songs are good too. I bought the album (Blues Image) in 1970 when it was first released and still have with me after all these years. Buy this CD it includes the other album Red White and Blues Image which is good too. I'm glad that it's out on CD and available for the new generation to listen and learn what the 60"s and early 70's where all about, in relation to the music that was played in those days. I am very glad that I was part of that generation and the music I grew up with. Also check "OPEN" that is available on CD it has the hit "Ride captain Ride.""

Extremely underrated blues rock

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this 2-albums on one CD package because I enjoyed the Blues Image big radio hit "Ride Captain Ride" and I wanted to see if the band had other songs as enjoyable as that one. Turns out the music on this CD is actually a lot different than that song. I never would have thought this music would be so enjoyable from a supposedly one-hit wonder.



Let me quickly mention what to expect when you play this CD. Tracks 1 through 9 is their very first album called the Blues Image, and tracks 10 through 18 would be the band's third album, Red White and Blues Image. For some reason they didn't put the second album on here, and they chose to go with the third album instead. I have no idea what that second album (titled Open) is like. If it's anything like the first or third album, I'll love it, without a doubt!



The first album is packed with plenty of guitar and keyboard jams and bluesy vocal melodies all over the place. I do think they write vocal melodies in the same way Grand Funk Railroad wrote them in their early days, and the keyboards the Blues Image are using seem to be influenced by Deep Purple because they sound like something straight from a Deep Purple album. You can tell this band loves creating fun, bluesy jams.



The Red White and Blues Image album isn't quite like the debut album. It's more about the vocal melodies. I'd say every song on the third album is melodic and sometimes bordering on either soul or gospel music while mostly focusing on rock and roll, of course. The music on this album has a similar feel and atmosphere to the Doobie Brothers version of "Jesus Is Just Alright With Me" and maybe even some Three Dog Night or Guess Who similarities here and there.



It's amazing when you listen to the Red White and Blues Image album because every song seems to have very emotional singing. You can tell the band members really want the listener to feel the friendly atmosphere and the beautiful singing. The result is that the album works, and works entirely well.



Both albums feature one long jam as the last song on each album. The jam on the first album is just over 9 minutes and contains enough guitars, keyboards, and rhythm changes to make anyone who loves 70's progressive rock happy. The 8 minute jam that closes out Red White and Blues Image is more about the guitar and drums and feels slightly better constructed than the other jam, in my opinion. I'd say it also rocks more than the first jam but both songs are fun and exciting.



Both jams may include moments that might make you feel like you're listening to an early Santana album. I also hear Allman Brothers influences. You really can't go wrong with this music if you like soulful singing, strong vocal melodies, and long keyboard and guitar jamming. The Blues Image may not have been a groundbreaking band, but they played great rock music, and the band sounds like they are having fun on both albums.



The rest of the songs on both albums aren't as long. They're all in between 2 and 5 minutes. I just love the way these guys write good melodies while jamming at the same time and they have the talent to make it melodic and interesting every time. Good stuff.



This is 70's rock at its best, and I'm still surprised how much I like every song. "Ride Captain Ride" may have been their biggest hit (and probably their only hit) but this CD includes 18 wonderful tracks that stand right next to that song. Just please don't ignore this 2-album CD because it doesn't have that one hit song. You'll find plenty to like on here, I guarantee it. Highly recommended."

FINALLY! Beats Spending $50!!!

R. Barnes | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | 05/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Displaying my age, I remember seeing Blues Image in Ft. Lauderdale at "THEE IMAGE" a number of years (how about 30?) years ago and have been a fan ever since. I have loved the classic "Ride Captain Ride" but now I can get by second fav (I have the 45 itself) "Gas Lamps and Clay", a hit down here on the old WSRF and WQAM AM Top 40 hey days.



There place in history is assured, with their contributions and membership in such bands as the later Iron Butterfly, Three Dog Night, CSNY, and Joe Walsh.



This is well worth the wait, and the price. I remember seing auctions asking for over $50 EACH on these.



A Best Buy"