Tommy Bolin
Album Title: Teaser Deluxe
Record Label: Samson Records
Review by Sal Serio
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Tommy Bolin - Teaser Deluxe
Sometimes the next best thing is all we can hope for. Even better is when the next best thing exceeds expectations. This is the case with the new CD release of unreleased recordings by late guitar virtuoso Tommy Bolin.
Bolin made his mark in the early to mid 70s by playing some completely mind blowing lead guitar on Billy Cobham’s Spectrum and Deep Purple’s Come Taste the Band. Fans of the musician’s meaty chops and dizzying triplets were pleasantly surprised by his subsequent solo records, which showed more expressive range and beautifully delivered vocals. The first of these albums, 1975’s Teaser, has never been released on CD form domestically, and the import issues have been sorely lacking in sonic quality. The last this reporter heard, Sony/Universal didn’t feel the project would generate enough return to make its reissue a priority.
Therefore, 35 years after its release, the new Teaser Deluxe project, spearheaded by Greg Hampton with the blessing of Johnnie Bolin, is truly a reason to rejoice. Hampton has unearthed previously unheard multi-tracks of the Teaser sessions, and brought alternate takes of those tracks up to 21st century audio standards.
Originally, Bolin envisioned the Teaser project to be half instrumental, half vocal, but management shied away from featuring too many instrumentals. This new CD brings back some of Bolin’s vision, with the inclusion of two outtakes of the far-out jazz metal romp “Crazed Fandango”. One version displays the soaring saxophone of David Sanborn, while the other features more piano and guitar. Additionally, some songs which were closer to the four minute mark on the 1975 release now run well over eleven minutes in length, giving Bolin room to stretch out his frenetic soloing. The extended jamming functions better on the smoother “Lotus” than on the straight-ahead rock of “Wild Dogs,” but both are intriguing to compare to the final LP edits. Also of interest is the inclusion of Bolin singing along to some of the lead parts in “Wild Dogs” and “Savannah Woman”.
Attention should also be given to the addition of intro riffs counting off “Homeward Strut” and “Marching Powder,” which gives the listener a little teaser of sorts before the song as it’s known materializes. In some cases, such as the rhythm guitar flanging on “Homeward Strut,” subtleties are brought to light that were lost, or simply not present, on the 1975 LP.
Teaser Deluxe is a must for anyone who enjoys sincere rock and roll with diversified flavors. I’m thankful that these aural treats can be tasted once again.
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