SWIFT RAIN / COMING DOWN / HEAVY ORIG PROG PSYCH ...... LOOK

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SWIFT RAIN / COMING DOWN / HEAVY ORIG PROG PSYCH ...... <>

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DESCRIPTION

OF LP

Cataloge numbers:  HI SHL 32064

VINYL VG(+) INTRO....ABOUT A MINUTE...THEN EX THE REST OF THE WAY

COVER: EX OR BETTER...CC...BADCAT RECORDS HAS DESCRIPTION BELOW AND IS OFFERING A LESSER COPY FOR $100
 

Here's another LP that's been hyped by some dealers as a psych rarity and masterpiece.  Not sure about where it stands on the rarity scale (we've only seen two copies in 25 years), but we can tell you it ain't psych ...  That said, this one's kind of interesting in that you have to wonder how a rather conventional (but talented) Texas-based rock outfit ended up recording for the Memphis-based Hi Records which was better known for its soul roster including the likes of Al Green and Ann Pebbles.

From what we can tell drummer Andre Bonaguidi, guitarist Frankie Sotelo and bassist Paul West were originally from El Paso, Texas where they'd played in a number of groups including The Intruders (West) and Lode Star (Bonaguidi and Sotelo).  Separately The Intruders and Lode Star managed to record a couple of tracks include on a compilation album released by the small El Paso Suemi Records.  With the album vanishing into thin air and their respective bands collapsing, three three principles decided to form Swift Rain.  Some early demos were enough for Suemi owners Kenny Smith and Bill Taylor to start recording material, but without adequate financial backing the project fell apart.  The trio continued to rehearse, eventually adding lead guitarist Mike Ciccarelli to their line-up.

In the meantime Suemi owners Smith and Taylor had signed a deal with Hi to track down, sign and produce rock (aka 'white') acts for the label.  One of their first acts was to sign Swift Rain.  

Produced by the band and Taylor, 1969's "Coming Down" was recorded in Memphis (reportedly the project was completed in less than a week). With three of the four members contributing material, musically the set was fairly diverse, incorporating conventional pop, rock and even country influences into the mix.  Nothing here was particularly original  or knock-out impressive .  Similarly, all four members sang, but none had a to-die-for voice.  Be forewarned, "Nancy's Song" and a couple of the songs sported vocals that were pretty raw - particularly when they try to kick it into a higher register.  Please, no more falsettos!  That may explain why many of the songs sported group vocals.  So what makes the set worth owning?   Propelled by Sotello's guitar, the band were at their best on straight-ahead rockers such as "Everybird" and "Everywhere (In My Town)".  While we're not big country-rock fans, we'll admit that West had a knack for the genre.  His "Broken Love" sported a wonderful melody, while "Yo Soi Tuyo" would have fit well on something by Stephen Stills and Manassas.  The album generating favorable critical buzz and Swift Rain was subsequently hired to serve as the opening act for Mountain on an upcoming American tour.  Naturally the quartet reacted to their breakthrough successes by calling it quits.

"Coming Down" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) You're Gonna Come Down   (Frankie Sotello - Paul West) - 4:14

2.) United   (Mike Ciccarelli) - 3:00

3.) Everybird   (Frankie Sotello - Paul West) - 2:51

4.) Broken Love   (Paul West) - 2:09

5.) Nancy's Song   (Frankie Sotello) - 2:56

6.) Yo Soi Tuyo   (Frankie Sotello - Paul West) - 3:14

(side 2)

1.) Everywhere (In My Town)   (Frankie Sotello - Paul West) - 5:16

2.) If You Feel   (Frankie Sotello) - 2:46

3.) Silver Paper   (Paul West - Felix Pappalardi - Collins - Gardos - Knight - Corky Laing) - 3:03

4.) For La Hudala   (Paul West) - 2:39

5.) The Laplander   (Frankie Sotello) - 4:02

After the break-up, Ciccarelli managed to record a one shot single for Hi (1972's "Sun Rises Here" b/w "Here" - Hi catalog number 2191).

Poking around the web it appears Bonaguidi continued to keep his hand in music (mostly jazz), while finding time to become a businessman and the owner of El Paso's Hugo’s Fine Wines & Spirits.  Sotelo and West apparently settled down in El Paso, but don't seem to be active in the music scene.

REFUND POLICY IS IF NOT SATISFIED  RETURN USPS SHIPPING LABEL AND REFUND  WILL BE FORWARDED...PLEASE CHECK WITH ME IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH GRADING BEFORE POSTING FEEDBACK SO WE CAN AVOID ANY HARD FEELINGS AND WORK THINGS OUT...THANK YOU

BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING COSTS....I HAVE TOO MANY LP'S AND DO NOT HAVE TIME TO PLAY EACH ONE ENTIRELY SO I WILL SPOT CHECK INTROS DEAD WAX AND LEAD IN DEAD WAX BETWEEN TUNES AS BEST AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE A PLAY GRADE BASED ON THAT...LPS TO GREECE BRAZIL AND RUSSIAN FED WILL HAVE TO BE INSURED  (generally about 2 dollars) AND LP'S WILL BE SENT PRIORITY SO TRACKING CAN BE COMPLETE (LP'S HAVE GONE "MISSING" LATELY AND I AM BEING HUNG OUT TO DRY BY PAYPAL AND EBAY)

Please remember that international packages will take longer to arrive then domestic orders as the package is traveling a further distance. Once the parcel is in your country, it will also pass through your customs office which can add time to the delivery. Customs can hold a parcel for several weeks and open up packages for inspections. Usually international packages arrive somewhere within 4 weeks but can take longer depending on the Post Office and customs clearance and there is nothing sellers can do to speed up the process. Please allow sufficient time for your package to arrive.
Please do not assume that if your international package ha not arrived within 10 days that it is "lost' . You need to allow time for your package to arrive. Thousands of packages travel with the post office daily. The seller cannot control the speed of delivery with the carrier and from our experience, lost packages are very rare. Please be patient as they take time to arrie.

CC = CUT CORNER, BB= DELETION HOLE, NOB NOL= NAME ON BACK,LABEL, SS= SPLIT SEAM, SM= SAW MARK

Records are packed very carefully in NEW mailers with filler pads. Items are usually shipped within 3-4 days of receipt of payment. I will combine shipping for multiple purchases.

SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!!!!!!!!

Postage within The UNITED STATES:  $4.40 flat rate for Media Mail .  $11.00 Priority Mail, $2.00 extra for each additional record with Priority

Postage for Canada & Mexico:  $12.00 First Class Mail, $3.00 extra for each additional record up to 4lbs..  If your package weighs over 4lbs buyer is required to pay ACTUAL USPS shipping costs, any packages over 4 lbs must be sent Priority Airmail which costs more, 7"/45rpm: FIRST CLASS is $10.00 plus $1.00 each additional (depending on quantity ordered). Any questions please contact seller.

Postage for all other countries:  $19.00 First Class Mail, $3.00 for each additional record up to 4lbs.  If your package weighs over 4lbs buyer is required to pay ACTUAL USPS shipping costs.. packages over 4 lbs must be sent Priority Airmail which costs more, 7"/45rpm: FIRST CLASS is $13.00 plus $1.00 each additional (depending on quantity ordered).  Any questions please contact seller.

It has been my experience that Priority Mail packages always arrive safely and quickly. Media Mail is very slow, and suggest that if you have paid a significant amount for your record, it is worth the extra money to ensure safe and speedy delivery. I do not take any responsibilty for Media Mail delays.

Grading scale VG/VG+/EX/EX+/NM-/MINT