Customer Reviews

Ghost Town Parade

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Be it "Ghost Town" the other initial Dudek albums "Les Dudek" or "Say No More" you will have a great addition to your collection.

My L.P. collection had (and still has) copies of each and they have been WELL played.

Les' guitar playing is robust and intense - a great example of a style that was prevelant in the Bay area during the 70's. While I agree that there is some influence of the annoyance of the late 70's - disco - I do not feel that it in any way detracts from the music or total feel of the disc.

I have been turning people on to Les for many many many years now and this album was always a sure fire introduction to one of the great guitar players to survive the 70's.

Buy ... Listen... Be Happy

I first became aware of Les Dudek from his appearance on the Allman Brothers' "Brothers & Sisters". When Boz Scaggs' "Silk Degrees" was at the height of its popularity here in Australia, I chanced upon "Say No More" in a record store. I asked the store owner to play the album for me. For some reason, the owner played side two for me. I was instantly hooked. "Old Judge Jones", "What's It Gonna Be" and "Zorro Rides Again" were (and remain) wonderful songs.

Having purchased "Say No More" and, later, the eponymous debut album, I had no hesitation in buying "Ghost Town Parade" upon its release. It is different from the earlier albums. The influence of the disco era can be heard (there are syn drums on some tracks which sound terribly dated today) and, if I recall correctly, Les used a Strat rather than a Les Paul on a number of tunes. Having said all that, it is a killer album with wonderful guitar playing throughout. Having recently purchased the CD, I agree with other reviewers that it stands the test of time remarkably well.

This was the last great album released by Les, in my view. The trio of "Les Dudek", "Say No More" and "Ghost Town Parade" represents a memorable synthesis of West Coast pop and Southern rock guitar stylings. Each of these albums is highly recommended.

I first heard this album late one night through headphones when my college radio station played it in its entirety at the time of its release. Mesmerized, I purchased it the next day. I have always sought out great guitar work and consider this one of my favorite examples. Whereas some 70's guitarists' solos become over-extended and tedious, Dudek's solos have purpose, and he knows how to integrate them seamlessly and perfectly into the structure of his songs. The songs on this collection flow smoothly from one to the next, and it feels complete with a definite beginning, middle, and end.

Highlights for me on the album include the opening "Central Park," and prepare to be overwhelmed by the searing guitar work at the end of "Friend of Mine." "Does Anybody Care," with a reggae-inspired beat, has a nice message that is still relevant today. "Falling Out" achieves a great rock groove and demonstrates impeccable timing. The album ends masterfully with the title track.

I also own "Dudek" and "Say No More." Both certainly have their highlights, but I recommend this one, "Ghost Town Parade," as Dudek's most fully realized masterpiece.

Les absolutely nails it on this re-release of his 1978 album. Killer guitar, killer vocals, and killer musicianship. Although this is my favorite, all his other releases are very strong as well. Les is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated and under appreciated guitarists/vocalist/songwriters of his era. All you need to do is listen to this CD and hear it for yourself. You will not be sorry. Now go and buy all his other releases that are finally on CD and enjoy the music!!

This album (vinyl then) was constantly on in my dorm room when I was in college. Les is an outstanding guitar player and this album has some of the best slide guitar I have ever heard. No klunkers in the play list. I have turned many skeptics on to this album, and they always thank me afterwards.

Lately ive been diving back into the memory banks (as burnt as they are) and searching out all those slick yet perfect little 70's masterpieces. A lot are still played on the airwaves (steve miller, toto, billy joel) but most have slipped into the vast wasteland of what seemed good back then to "i cant believe i listenend to that, it sucks" category.But there are a few nuggets that stand out among all the crap. Most notably this rock masterpiece,the very underrated Les Dudek's Ghost Town Parade. Back then FM radio was a different animal. Sure it would be stuck in the Dreams-Fly Like An Eagle-Come Sail Away rut. But it would also venture out. And i remember being stoked to here Gonna Move and Central Park on the radio. So I would save what little money I made and buy these albums (yes albums)and dive deeper into the depths of the grooves. Some other stand outs are the struttin Friend Of Mine with a blistering solo to fade the end out, a somewhat reggae tinged but very poignant Does Anybody Care, the funky Allmans influenced Down To Nothing. And the slow boogie burn of the title track with its touble man intro and some soulfull strings and falsetto soul singing..GREAT! What strikes me more than anything about this cd is even though it posesses a somewhat slick sound, nothing is sugar coated as so many of the records of that error were.It rocks but with a classy touch. And Les Dudek has one of the greatest soulful voices of that error, think Greg Allman meets Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie fame.So if your interested in the error that brought you Rumors and Boston and want to hear the other stuff that was played but now gone by the wayside.Let me recommend some other standouts, just wish you luck finding some of these.

Sad Cafe- Missplaced Ideas and Facades

Charlie- No Second Chance and Lines

City Boy- Dinner at the Ritz

Bob Weir- Heaven Help The Fool

Atlanta Rhythm Section- Champagne Jam

Crack the Sky- Safety In Numbers

Joan Armatrading- Show Some Emotion

Gil Scott Heron- Bridges

Louisianna Leroux's first ('take a ride on the riverboat'-very hard to find for some strange reason)

Poco- Legend

And not to forget the underrated Steely Dan masterpiece- NO NOT AJA- but The Royal Scam which was just solid from start to finish without the jazz pretense. Have fun searching your roots and dont be ashamed, nobody has to know you own these. keep em in the closet Randy