Atlanta Rhythm Section -ARS - Champagne Jam-Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-038
$
60
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Description
Please see all my AUDIOPHILE listings
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (EX to NM) Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+) Vinyl is very clean, seldom used. Cover has very light edge wear. and corner wear, not far from VG++. Please see photos
Additional Info:
• Released Date: January 1978
• MFSL Vinyl Released Date: 1979 Mastered by Stan Ricker Pressed in Japan on JVC Super Vinyl
Once part of Roy Orbison’s backing band and contributors to Georgia’s thriving studio scene, the members of the Atlanta Rhythm Section married their polished chops to the rough-and-tumble blues and Southern-fried rock of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. And while the Allmans themselves espoused a jazz-tinged style, the Atlanta Rhythm Section took their boogie swing to almost MOR levels. Their slick style finally turned to gold with the 1976 hit “So Into You.” 1978’s Champagne Jam kept up the pace to an extent with minor successes like the Beatlesque pop side “I’m Not Going to Let It Bother Me Tonight.” Chart concerns aside, Champagne Jam is one of the group’s strongest releases: a seamless marriage of Southern rock muscle and uptown blues dress. Standouts include the almost nouveau Confederate rocker “Large Time” (Molly Hatchet anyone?) and the peak bluesy pop blend of the title track. Things do turn a bit awry on the Steely Dan ripoff “Evileen” and the cloying ballad “Normal Love,” but even these tracks have enough in the way of classy arrangements to keep them afloat. Beyond the few best-of discs available, fans will definitely want to make this the first title they consider from the band’s regular album catalog.
The Atlanta Rhythm Section were hitting their stride by 1978 when Champagne Jam was released. The album perfectly melded the unique bands ability to forge their own sound from many musical influences. Champagne Jam was their commercial breakthrough staying on the US Top 200 album charts for nearly a year after its initial release.
The band mixed southern rock with jazz and blues and were as smooth as a shot of the finest gentleman’s whiskey on the planet. They were mellower than many of their contemporaries but they were also, overall, perhaps more talented musicians. What makes ARS so damn special is that they wrote such good songs. They had it all, rhythm, vocals, harmonies and rippin’ guitar solos.
“I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight” was a Top 20 hit while “Champagne Jam” and “Imaginary Lover” are two of the band’s most beloved songs. The album kicks off with one of their most rocking tunes “Large Time” which is a tribute to their friends and colleagues Lynyrd Skynyrd who suffered the famously, horrific plane crash the year before.
Tracklist
A1 Large Time A2 I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight A3 Normal Love A4 Champagne Jam B1 Imaginary Lover B2 The Ballad Of Lois Malone B3 The Great Escape B4 Evileenprice rating
