Customer Reviews

The Smoke from a Distant Fire

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think I first heard "Smoke From A Distant Fire" about a year ago on the radio. When I did, I LOVED it. And not just the sound. I loved the story and concept, too. A cheating woman getting busted and sent packing? Sure beats the stereotypical "cheating man" songs I usually hear.

Anyway, I finally found out the name of the performer, but was surprised that I couldn't find any of their albums anywhere; music stores, online stores, etc. I finally caught it as a "Pre-order" item on Amazon and had to wait about a month for it. And was it ever worth the wait!!!

I finally received it about a month ago and have not gotten tired of it yet. And not just "Smoke From A Distant Fire". I'm talking about the ENTIRE CD. And that's unusual for me because I'll usually buy an album for one song and EVENTUALLY get into the rest of them; sometimes years afterward. This time, I took to ALL OF THEM like old friends.

If you like Hall & Oates, you'll love these songs. I say that because in some songs, John Townsend hits notes that sound like Daryl Hall; specifically in "Lou". The only difference is, there is more of a southern-flavor to these songs (not country...southern).

Also, if you like Kenny Loggins, you'll also love this CD, too. He shares a lead with Townsend on "Oriental Gate" that is CLASSIC Loggins; not to mention the backing vocals he did on "Does It Have To Be You".

I have this album saved to Media Player at work and on my home computer with the CD living in my car. As I said, I have not become tired of listening to it yet. I think mostly because they are all well told stories that display not only the range of the singer, but also of the songwriters.

From the betrayal of "Smoke From A Distant Fire", to temptation and straight-up lust in "Oriental Gate (No Chance of Changing My Mind)", to lost love in "Does It Have To Be You", to found love in "In For The Night", to life-goes-on-quit-feeling-sorry-for-yourself in both "Sunshine In My Heart Again" & "Rainbows Colored In Blue". There are also tales of the wicked city "Moolah Moo Mazuma (Sin City Wahoo)", a gothic ghost story called "Squire James", and a get up and dance number called "Shake It To The Right".

I'm just trying to exercise some patience to catch "Duo Glide" at a below import price. But I'm not sure if I can hold out much longer. Because if these guys could do a GREAT job like this, I can only imagine what their later efforts were like!

If you took Firefall,Seals and Crofts and Orleans put them into the same studio you would have the same general sound and feeling this album generates. The title track "Smoke from a Distant Fire", is an upbeat tune which tells the story of love rejected and illustrates the old saying "What goes around, comes around". Nothing violent or anything of that nature, more simply stated the grass is not always greener on the other side. When this song came out in the mid-70's the title track got very little airtime which is a shame as it is truly a remarable tune.The rest of the album is far from disappointing. The track "Oriental Gate" is another moving tune that will have you wondering why didn't a tune of this caliber get any airplay. The rest of the CD does not disappoint, a collage of rock,classical influence,outstanding vocals and lyrics makes this one a must have.This is one of those rare albums that has and will stand the test of time.I have waited 20 years for this to reissue and it sounds even better the second time around.

I hate to do a "me too" review, but I first want to confirm what the other reviewers have said about this record. Yes, the musicianship and production values are truly top notch. Yes, the vocal work is excellent. But on this recording, what matters are the songs. This is, indeed, one of the greatest pop recordings of all time. I, too, am simply amazed that such an incredible album could be released on a major label (Warner Bros.), only to fall into almost complete obscurity. This may be the best album that you have never heard. I can only assume that the record company was focusing their attention on some other type of music, and failed to promote the recording. For the most part, the album is very funky and danceable, mixed in with some slower stuff such as the beautiful blues track, "Rainbows Colored in Blue" and the delightful "Squire James," which is a musical ghost story. It's hard to imagine somebody who wouldn't love this record. Incidently, I would like to point out that this album has been released under two titles. It was originally released as "The Sanford Townsend Band," which is the title it is listed under here. However, it was later re-released as "Smoke from a Distant Fire," by Sanford and Townsend. Same album. Same incredible music.

It's totally escapes me that these guys weren't better known and that only one of these songs made it in the charts. Then to have to wait until 2000 to get the CD.....from Japan? The vocals on here alone are worth the price of admission....even as an import. The original band is a extremely fine group of musicians....so the additional input from Kenny Loggins and others makes it that much better. My album literally wore out...and I have looked for this since CD's first came to market. John Townsend is one of the finest vocalists I have ever heard.....unbelievable. The music is impeccable...the songs are the kind you can't get out of your head...and the production is superb. Get it while you can.

I originally saw this band in Hollywood at The Roxy in 1977. They were virtual unknowns at the time, opening for Dion - of all artists! I owned the 12" LP, but lost it somewhere in a move. I have been anxiously waiting for the release of this CD.

Although Smoke From A Distant Fire is their best known hit (peaked at #9 in 1977), there are other strong tracks on this CD. Among them, "In For The Night" demonstrates the vocal range and songwriting abilities of both Ed Sanford and John Townsend.

The lyrics are especially compelling. Most of the songs tell stories (a la Gordon Bok). Whether they be of love lost, love found or one of my favorites -- "Lawdy Lou", a story of a friend who loses another to an overdose -- they are presented along with compelling arrangements.

This is late 70s pop-jazz, Steely Dan-inspired music at its best. Good lyrics, instrumentation. This is a "musicians band" if ever there was one.

I had this album back in the days of vinyl and had to buy the CD. It's as good as I remember blending jazz with rock for their unique sound.

This title song for this album may have been a one hit wonder, but what fabulous music it is in its entirety. I wore out two cassettes a number of years ago, and was having trouble finding it on disc. The vocals are rivaled by the lyrics, the harmony as good as the accompanyment. What a bluesy, jazzy, sexy, sound! I'm so glad I found a copy.

Sometimes a sound is so unique, it never gets the recognition it deserves. Sanford-Townsend had that kind of sound. Think of Blood, Sweat & Tears if they had a soul (or kept AL Kooper), or the Beatles if they sent away for rhythm & blues/jazz sensibilities. If you don't love the Smoke from a Distant Fire track, you may have missed what music was about from 1969 to 1979. Oriental Gate and Rainbows Covered in Blue still groove in a new millenium. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame needs a place for MOMENTS like Smoke From A Distant Fire.

Now I know why I can't get a copy of this album on CD. Everybody's looking for it! It's been a lot of years now, my original vinyl album doesn't exist anymore, still... I can't forget some of these songs. This work is a masterpiece, believe us. This is what popular music should always be : memorable. So, in a way, it is very rare by today's standards. Get it if you can. Hear it and hear it. Then-sell it to me. Please...

Chris LaMach. Chris was my next door neighbor on 13th floor of Neumaier hall at Moorhead State University in 1977. Chris's favorite album was "Smoke From a Distant Fire" from the Sandford and Townsend Band. I listened to it so much when I was in college in Chris's room that I learned each one of the ten songs by heart. Try listening to the ending fugue of "Squire James" at 3 a.m. sometime when you've been up all night partying - it was enough to make you rethink your misspent youth. The lyrics of this album are sometimes repetitive and simplistic. For example, count the number of times the themes of smoke, fire, burning, etc. appear throughout the album. Also, the dreadful refrain of "I've got ants in my pants and I just might dance all night" in the otherwise terrific "Shake It to the Right" come to mind. But these are small criticisms. The bass line is dynamic, the vocals powerful and the songs are extremely catchy and long wearing. Just whatever happened to these guys?