Customer Reviews

Mirror Image

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

 

 

This recording has some really strong moments. The group adds Jerry La Croix on sax and vocals as well as Bill Tillman on Saxophones. Ron McClure replaces Big Jim Fielder on bass. Tony Klatka on Trumpet and the group goes with two saxes, trombone and one Trumpet sound as opposed to the sharper voiced Two trumpet, sax, trombone, horn section. The group takes a stab at some R&B with "Tell Me That I'm Wrong" and some out and out pop on the Jerry La Croix pieces with mixed success. Fisher is his usual powerful self and saves "Tell Me That I'm Wrong". It's his conviction and power that really makes the song work. The arrangment is more Philly studio than Blood, Sweat & Tears. Jerry La Croix has a multi octave range but frankly is not in Fisher's class. His voice suited more to pop than anything else. I'm not complaining just making an observation.

Then the group hits is stride with "Are You Satisfied" and the Mirror Image Suite. Here the group returns to the strong form that was shown to such startling effect in "No Sweat" The addition of Tillman, La Croix, along with Wadenius, Willis and Fisher allows the group to sing harmonies quite well during Are You Satisfied" they segue into a marvelous instrumental suite that shows off their new horn section, Larry Willis and Georg Wadenius best sides. This section of the recording ranks right up there. A real high point. They run the gamut of their infuences well. Never at the expense of the song. No pschizoid instrumental moments. They stay to the point throughout the suite. Wadenius plays both jazz and then when the moment comes takes off at a dead run, and he rocks. The last song is an unusual haunting ballad sung alone by Georg Wadenius. The arrangment is, to my ears, outstanding with unusual voicings.

Very nice recording.

I was only 8 when this recording came out, but borrowed the record from a neighbor when I was in high school and never gave it back. The previous review sums it up nicely. This is an excellent group of essentially jazz musicians who demonstrate an open mind and creative spirit. The five stars is for the second half only. The suite shows off the writing and playing talents of Larry Willis, Ron McClure, Tony Klatka (formerly of Woody Herman's band) and demonstrates a mastery of many styles and sounds. The perfect vocals in the final "movement" almost say, "yeah, we can do pop-rock as well as anyone, too". If I were George Wadenius, I'd be really proud of the final track, She's Coming Home. Where has this caliber of writing (from guys more known as players than composers!) gone? If you like vintage BS&T, Chicago, EW&F, TOP, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report, Chick Corea, and the like, get this. Even the lack of Lew Soloff trumpet pyrotechnics is fine to this trumpet player.

I had the album (vinyl) in the 70s' and I enjoyed then. Now is piece of art, with fuzion elements, great vocals, good arrangements. Like we say in spanish "es un album que ha envejecido bien" (it have became older in a good shape). You can here latino and experimental elements like in the Nuclear Blues that made the album unique, and a path for other and new bands. You can here brass sections talking with the rock guitar with latino elements. Vocals made their part an chorus also. Rhythm is contagious and is a "tono" album, you can dance this music, but also listen very carefully because of its complex sound and arrangements.

After lead vocalist David Clayton-Thomas left the band, they struggled to find another identitiy and quickly fell off the Billboard charts. With Mirror Image the band achieved what I thought was the best post Clayton-Thomas effort. When the album 1st appeared on vinyl, my friends and I were all immediately taken with Side two, which began with "Are You Satisfied"(Track 6 on disc). Tracks 6-10 are the best tracks by a long shot and worth the price of the whole disc. However, I recommend you start on track 6. You won't regret it.

If you like music cliched, insepid, and over-produced, this is the one for you. I was very disappointed in this recording. It is very "commercial" with nothing memorable or inventive. The producer was a "Cosby" with a few songs by a "Cosby." The disco-tinged first track sets up the entire recording. It never really gets any better. I gave it two stars because...it's a "fair" recording. Had I to do it over, I'd pass on this one. I'll probably never play it again. There's too much good BS&T to listen to (Although I WILL put it ahead of Nuclear Blues).