Customer Reviews

Flame (Reis)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't get me wrong -- this is a terrific album. Produced by Carl Wilson during his creative peak, it's essential for anyone who treasures the Beach Boys' "Holland" period when Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar were in the band.

But the issue is sound quality. This isn't a digital transfer from Steve Desper's shimmering master tape, but a heavily compressed needle-drop from vinyl -- and the vinyl didn't sound that good to begin with. The Beach Boys organization, which holds the rights to this album and a never-issued follow-up, apparently thwarted earlier proposals for a legitimate release.

OK, I'm starting with the bottom line: other than the Beatles, this is the best pop-rock recording ever made. I know it's a bold statement considering such legends as Badfinger, Big Star, Emitt Rhodes, The Raspberries, et al, but it's true. Those heavy weights all cranked out some masterpieces, but this disc is just a bit better.

When the Flame LP was first released in the fall of 1970 the immediate point of comparison was with the Beatles, which was rightly deserved. The Flame, however, didn't simply sound "Beatlesque" in the same way as Emitt Rhodes or Badfinger, but they transcend the genre by managing to exhibit the same sense of musical creativity and excitement that the Fab Four did. It was the Beatles ability to write great songs, and their sense of musical adventure and exploration, that set them apart from other pretenders to the throne. It's what sets the Flame apart as well. The songs themselves are consistently melodic, (with only "Hey Lord" being sub-par) and the arrangements evolve and progress in exciting and unexpected directions.

You'll know the Flame were on to something special from the opening bars of "See The Light", which begins with an incredibly infectious chorus that is punctuated by a George Harrisonesque guitar figure, underpinned by a wonderfully fluid McCartneyesque bass, and closes with a splendid "I Feel Fine" inspired guitar-riff coda. This track alone is worth the cost of the CD.

For me the highlight is what was originally side two of the LP (tracks 6-11 on the CD). Many of the songs are almost "mini-suites" (a la The Beatles "You Never Give Me Your Money"). The side kicks off with the rollicking guitar duel of "Get Your Mind Up" and evolves into a guitar exchange similar to "The End" on Abbey Road. Other highlights include "I'm So Happy", with it's harpsichord opening, and chiming guitar solo which is reminiscent of George Harrison's double-stop guitar figure from "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window"; the gentle "Dove", with it's lovely, classical guitar duet and strings; and "Another Day Like Heaven" which features a breathtakingly beautiful organ solo, and Leslie guitar. Incredible.

Don't be mistaken, though: the Flame do not simply ape the Beatles, instead they draw richly from the genre and present us with something entirely their own. There is more creativity on this one CD than most bands manage to produce in a lifetime.

If you enjoy melodic music full of wonderful surprises, and interesting arrangements, buy this CD. It will be the best musical investment you make for a LONG time.

I just got this CD today. WOW!!! What a sin that this group didn't get more recognition. As a whole, this album may just be better than anything released in the last 30 years. It's solid as a rock all the way through.

"Beatlesque" is an apt description; the album certainly makes you instantly think "Beatles". It's an awesome job by The Flame, Carl Wilson, and Steve Desper.

Listening to the album just makes me shake my head. Both in amazement for how great it is, and in sadness that nothing being recorded today even comes close.

Many thanks to the previous reviewers here who convinced me to take a chance on this CD.

A pity the talented group does'nt exist anymore. Surely a must have for any serious 'Flame' fan or 'The Flames' as we know them in the country of their birth, South Africa. Not so sure that the quality of the sound recording does the group proud. I've been fortunate in seeing the group perform live in South Africa on more than one occasion and they sure reigned supreme in their heyday. I bought the LP with the same title years ago and was struck by the group's resemblance to the now exctinct 'Fab Four' at the time. Blondie Chaplin, most successful member of the group is still performing with the 'Stones' on their recent tour. Need I say more??? Go buy the cd you won't be sorry!

Ah yes, I fondly remember the warpy old vinyl copy of this we had around the house. Over the years I've gotten frequent bouts of "See the Light" stuck in my head, but sadly have not been able to hear a lick until now, so thanks.

I'm enjoying all the songs on this CD. Many I had forgotten--for me, this CD is a "new" discovery of some great music. If you remember this album, and you liked it back in the day, you'll like it now; if you're 15 years old and into this kind of music, you'll like it; if you're a rock snot but not familiar with this particular band, you should like it!

Other reviews cover the nitty-grittys, so I'm just going to leave it at that.

I was lucky enough to see this band live opening for the BEACH BOYS at the Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood in 1970. I kind of forgot about them until recently, and I purchased their vinyl album on Ebay. What an awesome album by an awesome group.

A great 'debut' effort from Blondie, Ricky and the boys - even though this was their third album with Blondie as the singer and their fifth album as a group. The band changed it's name from The Flames to the The Flame on this record, their first US release, to avoid confusion with James Brown's backing band, I believe.

At first, you ears will echo with thoughts of the Beatles, but after several listens you'll recognize it as The Flame just doing their own thing. The band has a very disctinctive sound with a masterful production by the Late and Great Carl Wilson. While there has been some talk about the disappointment that this release is a cleaned up LP to CD transfer, don't let that prohibit you from making the purchase. The sound quality is not 'audiophile' but it's more than listenable, especially for those who have never experienced The Flame.

There has been a petition to Brothers Records to get a Deluxe Edition of The Flame released with the unreleased second Flame album also produced by Carl Wilson as a bonus disc(see the comments section for this review for more detailed info).

My advice is to pick up this 'import' now if you're not still spinning the hard to find great sounding vinyl, which included a fold out poster. Plus, their earlier THE FLAMES albums are also now available on remastered CD from a small company in the Netherlands. Oh yeah, and don't miss Blondie's great 2005 acoustic solo album Between Us which is now getting hard to find. Good stuff!!

Other GREAT albums from the Blondie Chaplin catalouge:

The Flames - Umm Umm Oh Yeah/Ball Of Flames 1967/68
The Flames - Burning Soul/Soulfire! - 1968/69
The Flames - The Best of the Flames, Teal Records, 1994
The Flame - The Flame, Brother Records, 1970
Blondie Chaplin - Blondie Chaplin, Asylum Records, 1977
Skollie, Ostrich Man, PVB Records, 1992
Blondie Chaplin, Fragile Thread, unreleased(but in circulation, features Keith & Ronnie playing on one track!!!), 2001
Rick Danko, Cryin Heart Blues, 2005
Anton Fig, Figments, 2002 (includes Brian Wilson arranged/sung harmonies on one Blondie track!!)

If this had track samples it would sell itself. Nothing wrong with the sound a little EQ (and selective limiting) can't improve. Puts me back about 40 years to cracking open a new Beatles record. You didn't know what you were gonna get AND you knew it was gonna be great. Thank you Al Kooper for turning me on to this.
"All I gotta say is you better get your mind made up."

I did not discover this album until 2010 although it was recorded in 1970. These guys are so "Beatle-esque" that it's eerie. The harmonies, the melodies, and the production, while not on par with the Beatles (greatest band ever), are terrific, particularly considering the date of recording. If you like the Beatles, you'll like this. One of the best songs, Don't Worry Bill, will remind you of Free as a Bird, a song recorded by John Lennon in 1977 (Paul, Ringo and George got the recording from Yoko Ono and finished the arrangement with assistance from Jeff Lynne of ELO).

I just listened to this for the first time in nearly 40 years and it sounds as good as it ever did. These guys truly were the "black Beatles" and would have been huge had the Beach Boys not broken them up by stealing two key members. Carl Wilson was supposedly going to produce them. Blondie and Ricky added a new dimension and level of talent to the group for the few short years they toured with them.