While certainly not a suitable substitution for {|Hip-O Select|}'s extraordinary triple-disc {|Blue Thumb Recordings|} (2007) box set, this compile is perfect for anyone with a passing curiosity about the post-{|Elektra|} recordings by {|Arthur Lee|}... Read more

While certainly not a suitable substitution for {|Hip-O Select|}'s extraordinary triple-disc {|Blue Thumb Recordings|} (2007) box set, this compile is perfect for anyone with a passing curiosity about the post-{|Elektra|} recordings by {|Arthur Lee|}'s {|Love|}. The contents are culled from highlights off of the double-LP {|Out Here|} (1969) and follow-up {|False Start|} (1970) -- the last projects to feature the second lineup with mainstay {|Lee|} (rhythm guitar/lead vocals/piano) backed by {|Frank Fayad|} (bass) and {|George Suranovich|} (drums) with {|Jay Donnellan|} (lead guitar), followed by {|Gary Rowles|} (lead guitar). There are several numbers with the combo laying down a heavy mod {|blues|} and boogie. Namely, the {|False Start|} tracks {|Stand Out|} and {|The Everlasting First.|} The former being a one-off live cut and the latter centering on the presence and contributions of {|Jimi Hendrix|} (guitar). The compact and quirky {|I Still Wonder,|} {|Nice to Be,|} and {|You Are Something|} are evocations of {|Lee|}'s singular songwriting skills and hearken back to {|Love|}'s formative sound. On the subject, the reworking of {|Signed D.C.|} -- a tune originally on the band's 1966 self-titled debut -- reflects their edgier approach. The comparatively lethargic tempo coupled with {|Lee|}'s impassioned vocals are custom-made for their proto-{|metal|} excursion as they give the familiar side a new lease on life. The lovely {|Doggone|} has tinges of {|the Youngbloods|}' free and easy West Coast vibe before turning into an incongruous spotlight for {|Suranovich|}'s ham-fisted eight-minute percussion solo. {|Love Is More Than Words (Or Better Late Than Never)|} is successful in the extended {|acid rock|} department. The lively melody is a perfect outlet for {|Rowles|}' alternately distorted and wah wah drenched fretwork. To a similar end, the bright acoustic {|I Still Wonder|} reflects the co-author's considerable technical prowess as {|Donnellan|} and {|Lee|} intertwine in a way reminiscent of {|the Allman Brothers|}' seminal dual guitar leads. The fidelity is excellent by late-'80s standards, however it pales by comparison to the abovementioned {|Blue Thumb Recordings|} anthology -- which also boasts nearly an hour of previously unreleased performances documented {|Live in England 1970|} (2007). ~ Lindsay Planer Less