Customer Reviews

The Saloon Years

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

 

 

In the late 80's, one or two nights a month at the Saloon, "Fish and Chips," i.e., Barry Melton and John Cipollina, used a two guitar vehicle (with a worthy supporting cast)to take a San Francisco bar crowd back to the mythical 60's. On those cuts on this CD when Cipollina is around, this is just magical music. Cipolina brought out something special in Barry and it doesn't appear that Barry truly recovered from John C.'s death. We can't go back, but it is great to have this CD to offer a tasty hint of that blues/rock mysticism that these "dinosaurs" knocked out for a $5 cover in the heart of North Beach. If you were ever interested in the SF sound, you've got to get this CD.

This music is just unbelievable. I know some of these guys from other bands, but this recording at a small bar is top notch. The blues have been catching my ear more and more lately, and this has plenty to offer. I let a friend of mine, who was at woodstock, listen to this and he was just blown away. Says he has not heard music like this in years. My hippy years began around 1970, so I missed the big concert, not that I didn't see many through the seventies. This CD just has the feel of a bunch of guys playing music for the fun of it. Some of the most awesome guitar and vocals I've heard. There isn't much recorded work out there from Barry Melton, to bad, but listen to this and enjoy some truly great music.

Barry "The Fish" Melton! of Country Joe and The Fish fame... Colorado Town is one of my favorites. the rest of the album is awesome also.

Barry Melton was the Fish in Country Joe and The Fish. Barry has maintained his skills and if anything improved his guitar playing. This is a live recording and a good idea of what he's up to today. As Far As The Title: "The Saloon Years", is ironic as he still plays The Saloon in San Francisco. The Saloon, a survivor of the 1906 earthquake, is the oldest standing Bar in San Francisco, a Blues Venue for the last 40 years that I know of Supported by some of the best players, Charlie Mussellwhite, Nick Gravenites, Gino Skaggs, Barry "The Fish, and countless others. A small bar, mostly standing room, hardly even known by local Blues lovers. Back to this CD, a must for the Woodstock Generation, Blues Lovers and beyond. If you see he is playing anywhere buy this CD, take it with you for an autograph and enjoy some great music. Or Buy the CD and enjoy it for many years to come.