Customer Reviews

No Frills

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

 

 

Mark Farner's bare bones approach to his 2nd solo effort was alot more akin to the original GFR sound and less "pretty" as he once termed the 1st album for Atlantic....And he's right...Better grooves and much better songs that are more in your face. I say this having enjoyed his 1st album MARK FARNER, but this does settle in with the 3 piece power trio format that Farner enjoys the most.

In fact, NO FRILLS is a precurser to the supposed GFR reunion disc GRAND FUNK LIVES released 3 years later...Another great album released at a bad time in rock n' roll history as disco and glam rock were the mainstays of the time. If you listen closely, they really sound very simuler in songwriting and approach.

Either way, a very satisfying and welcome effort during a pitiful time in music.

*************************************

To answer the other reviewer's statement......Mark released both albums on one disc, remastered and engineered, as HEIRLOOMS: THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC SESSIONS 1977-1978 and sold it on his website, in two different packages.

Mark Farner shows he is the heart and soul of Grand Funk and demonstrates that he can rock and stir the soul of listeners still!

Glad to see this back in print, though, to save a buck, I would have preferred seeing both of Mark's '70's solo albums available as one set.

As far as musicality I rate this a three. Typical Farner, i.e. workman-like rock and roll with the occasional nod to his roots. No real surprises here though the guitar solo in " When A Man Loves A Woman" momentarily sets one back with it's fervid, almost out-of-tune bends.

As far as the album's graphic design I give this a five! It is simply one of the best designed, most under-rated album covers I have ever owned! If only the contents of the album would have lived up to the quality of the cover.