DETROIT LOSES ONCE AGAIN

DETROIT LOSES ONCE AGAIN

Gayle Clark

Yes, folks, it’s happened once more, another Detroit band has made it big...in another city that is. The Passing Clouds have been around since April of 1966 when they formed on the north-west side of Detroit. They really got moving in July of ‘67 when Joe Fineman joined the group and got together with Steve Ross to put out some original songs.

Through some introductory letters sent to top managers in New York the Passing Clouds mad their first contact with professional recording people. They went to New York for interviews and to generally get screwed around with. Disappointed, the group decided that Los Angeles was their last hope. Joe and Steve were sent ahead as scouts armed with a tape and a dub recording made in New York. Well, they hit the jackpot when they came across a Mr. Bob Russell who was a bit interested in their sound. Through him the band met Chris Peterson who auditioned and contracted them. The band was now situated in California and signed on Pete Records in May of ‘68. They’ve cut their first album now, “Hawks and Doves”, and we can sit back and listen to what we‘ve missed out on.. .a pretty good band.

Their music is different. That is about how you have to classify it. It’s not hard rock or acid-rock, blues or jazz. . .it’s simply Passing Clouds. I shall attempt to fill you in on the different qualities of the songs as I listen once more to “Hawks and Doves” by Passing Clouds.

SIDE I

I THOUGHT I KNEW HER BY HEART: This is a bit on the Sergio Mendez side. The voice quality is smooth; clear like the melody itself. It has a strong Jamaican beat complete with morraccas throughout the song. The lyrics tell the tale of so many of us. He fell in love too hard and too fast.. .she came in a vision and stole his heart. Unfortunately she left it mangledbeyond repair.

TOUCH AND GO: is an up-tempo number with that same clear voice coming on just right. It warns man that the time has come for him to leave his trite little suburban home and take a look at the world around him. The slave markets have gone and so are the concentration camps; there are no more world wide tyrants. Come out little man before it’s too late.

MUSIC SPEAKS: This cut is a bit more on the modern scene. Unlike some numbers it has the effect of a whole band doing their thing. Nice to dance to or just plain move. The lyrics in this goodie have to do with just that.. .lyrics. If you listen hard you will get a bit of insight on how to really comprehend what a singer is putting across. As the song says, “I couldn’t say to every man what’s right for just a few,” and that my dear friends is how you should take this article. Some of you out there may listen to “Hawks and Doves” and really hate it. That’s fine, however, I’m sure that others like quiet music once in a while and those people are who I’m writing to.

A CLOCK UPON THE SKY: is a slow, lilting melody with solely piano for accompaniment in the beginning. Suddenly, a bit of rather strange vocal harmony occurs and just suddenly departs. The production on this number as well as all the others is very good. In all actuality it’s the story of a chick who refuses to become “un-hung”.

HAWKS AND DOVES: is the title song of the album and is one of the liveliest cuts so far. A lot of weird harmony lives in this ditty! The dominant instruments are the organ and drums; they carry it very well. Listen to the words on this one, they say a lot. I shan’t tell you anymore about them. You have to listen and discover what you really are.. .a dove or a hawk.

It’s record turning time!

SIDE 2:

MAGAZINE MAN: This is perhaps my favorite cuts on the album. It s tarts out with some really great organ work. Once again everything is in sheer perfection. . .harmony, timing, everything. The lyrics are for an old friend of ours.. .a street magazine vender. You know who I mean, he has a snazzy booth with almost any type of pornographic material printed. This is for him.

TAKE THE BLAME: has a bit more beat in a great guitar, but still quiet. I don’t know who they do it but somehow every song on this album makes you lose your problems in the melody and float happily along without a care.

ELEANOR: is a solo guitar movement by Steve Ross that . shows how good the guitar work really is. Music to think about your loved one far away.

AT THE HEAD OF THE LIST:

I really don’t know what to say about this one. It’s good like all the rest and yet its strange. It warrants a lot of getting into.

DR. BERNSTEIN’S DREAM: Probably the fastest cut on this album and quite a bed-time story. Dr. Bernstein you can just stay away from me!

Thus ends side two and the Passing Clouds’ first album. It isn’t anything hot and heavy that you should get for your next bash, however, if you like good music it’s for you. Perhaps if I let loose with a little information on the group itself it might clear things up.

The band consists of five rather “worldly” musicians. They’ve all had experience in this music world of ours. The organist is one Steve Ross who ha a fabulous piano background when it comes to classical music. Actually a potential concert pianist gone rock. Next in line happens to be the lyricist of the group and an lod Bill Monroe man, Joe Fineman, you might have read some movie reviews by him as he once wrote for a few local Detroit newspapers. Herschel Freeman is about as common as his name. For the two years of business transaction he was the lead singer' of this group. A Virgo at heart he keeps their scrapbook up to date. His musical background is that of a country and folk singer. Bob Karapetian is the percussionist and although he is the youngest member of the Clouds he is by no means inexperienced.. .he’s played in bars and bands since he was thirteen years old. Last but not least is the foreigner in Passing Clouds. Keith Stein was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, whilst the rest of the mottley crew hails from the Motor City. He is a great guitarist and has his musical background in jazz.

It must be rather obvious to you that this is a band of many talents and various musical backgrounds who have pulled together and come out as “Passing Clouds”. Now, I don’t want to lead you astray and into thinking that this is a hard-hitting album that will jump up and attack your ear drums saying, “Hey man, aren’t I about the best thing you’ve ever heard?”, quite to the contrary it waits till you discover for yourself. This is about what the boys in the band want it to do. They just got sick of continuously hearing sensuous, hard rock and decided that it was about time for some good music to make the scene. They may not become idols for every teeny-bopper around but they will be remembered by those who’ve taken out the time to listen. They feel and live each song trying to get across what Joe Fineman meant when he wrote the lyrics. They’ve \ been together for some time and live with confidence in the strength and quality of their music.

They were scheduled to come on tour at the end of February but that tour was cancelled. Listen to them and then join me in hoping that they will make it back home soon.