Great band, but missing best recordings
Kevin D. Rathert | Carbondale, IL | 08/27/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Being a rock band in Michigan in the mid to late 1960s the Rationals faced incredible competition in their own back yard. Recording on Jeep Holland's A Square label, the band was forced to compete with such heavy hitters as the MC5 and SRC among others. Long available only on bootleg recordings, these early sides by vocalist/songwiter Scott Morgan, lead guitarist Steve Correll, bassist Terry Trabandt, and drummer Bill Figg find a young band trying to balance between the singles oriented label demands and the hard edged rock songs that the band themselves preferred. The Big Beat imprint of the UK Ace label, under the guidance of psychedelic rock expert Alec Palao, have gathered all the band's 1965-68 recordings as well as numerous previously unreleased tracks, a total of 34 sides. While this collection is absolutely essential to the collection of all psych rock fans, buyers must be warned that the band's finest hour, its self titled album on Crewe Records, released in 1969, is not to be found here. Thus, this set, while absolutely essential rates only 4 stars. If Big Beat is able, as they hope, to give legitimate release to the Crewe album, the Rationals story will be complete and record buyers will be able to possess the band's finest hour. The 9 track lp, to this point, has been available only on the single disc bootleg "Anthology." While it is certainly not Big Beat's fault that these tracks are not included in this collection, the set lacks the band's finest and heaviest tracks such as the atomic "Guitar Army" I highly recommend the purchase of this double disc set, but want the listener to be forwarned that the band's finest work is not present. Drat it! Here's to hoping Big Beat is able to license the Crewe lp and release as soon as possible. In the meantime, grab this collection and enjoy one of Michigan's finest rock bands of the mid to late 1960s."
Here At Last!!
Dean Kuschell | Traverse City, MI USA | 07/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It was worth the wait...the missing link of the sixties Michigan rock scene. Great garage rock sides along with a healty dose of their own take on R&B. Lots of unreleased stuff, a couple of demos and an unreleased 8+ minute blues jam ("Part Time Love")...different takes of tunes from their self-titled album, ("Sunset", "Ha Ha Song", and "Temptation bout To Get Me"). All sounding crisp & clean. The booklet contains superb liner notes & song info and hints of second collection of
their post- A-squared stuff which I would guess include the bands one and
only self-titled album "The Rationals. If you love sixties garage rock or
R&B or mid sixties Detroit rock then fork up the dough and THINK RATIONAL!
Way to go Big Beat Records and hats of to the Righteous Rationals,
Scott Morgan, Terry, Steve & Bill."
THE RATIONALS...THINK RATIONALS
Theresa Frank | CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI United States | 07/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"IF YOU GREW UP IN THE 60'S AND LIVED IN MICHIGAN..THIS IS IT REVISITED. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS SEEING SCOTT, TERRY, STEVE AND BILL LIVE..IT'S THE NEXT BEST THING. THEY ROCK. LOVED IT. MISS THE FOUR OF THEM PERFORMING TOGETHER, THOUGH SCOTT MORGAN AND POWERTRANE AND THE SOLUTION ARE GREAT IN THEIR OWE RIGHT. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1