Steve, Bob & Rich - Balls

The Rainmakers (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 28, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: BAT Records
• ASIN: B000EU1HRQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,840 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The roots of a great American band, April 20, 2006

By 

Downstream "downstream" (Oconomowoc, WI United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Steve, Bob & Rich - Balls (Audio CD)

This was the beginning of one of the best bands of the past 25 years. Steve Phillips, Bob Walkenhorst and Rich Ruth were the ultimate cover band in Kansas City for many years before recording this record. After one release, they became The Rainmakers and produced some of the most electric songs ever caught on tape. At their best, one could argue that Bob Walkenhorst's songwriting was on par with late-era Neil Young and Bob Dylan, while the music was as inventive and explosive as bands like the Talking Heads and the Mekons. Even before they were The Rainmakers, on "Balls", the elements were all there. Original versions of "Let Me People Go-Go," "Nobody Knows," "Information," and "Big Fat Blonde" are here. Other highlights are "Christine" and "Makes No Sense". This is the first time "Balls" has been available on CD. Thankfully, I never fell for a vinyl copy for $100 on E-Bay. As an extra bonus, they have 8 live tracks tacked onto the end of the disc. Including fantastic versions of Pete Townshend's "Rough Boys" and Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues". Search out the Rainmakers self-titled debut from 1986. It is a true American classic. One of the 100 best records of the last quarter century - really.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Rainmakers Fans!, January 9, 2007

By 

Chuck Chapman (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steve, Bob & Rich - Balls (Audio CD)

Great archival tracks of the band that became The Rainmakers, one of the most underated and creative bands ever! Lots of this stuff appears in a more refined form on The Rainmakers debut CD, and most of the other tunes are ok, but not up to 'Maker standards. HOWEVER... there is TONS of bonus material, including live versions of some of the early classics like Big Fat Blonde and Let My People Go Go,and some smoking cover tunes that make this a must have if you dig the Makers. The Bonus material alone is worth the price of admission.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blast from my nightclub past!, January 3, 2007

By 

Blair Carmichael "the_beeb" (St. Joseph, Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steve, Bob & Rich - Balls (Audio CD)

I saw this band a number of times at different venues in Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri.

They were incredible live and I was really excited to see that they included a live show from the Blue Note in Columbia. Great band, great times!