Jul 15, 2010

JACKSON HEIGHTS - THE 5th AVENUE BUS (VERTIGO 1972) Jap DSD mastering cardboard sleeve




The second album by Jackson Heights wasn't as nondescript as many similarly obscure efforts from bands led by musicians -- in this case, ex-Nice guitarist/bassist/singer Lee Jackson -- who pretty much vanished from the limelight after their stint with a famous group. Jackson also deserved some credit for being bold enough to move into directions in which the Nice weren't associated; 5th Avenue Bus is much more oriented toward singer/songwriter-type, folk-rock songs than the Nice ever were, with little of the art rock that the Nice helped pioneer in sight. Nonetheless, the record and its songs were kind of nondescript, as mildly pleasing as some of the singing and melodies were. Often the songs used vocal harmonies with a Crosby, Stills & Nash/America flavor, though here sometimes used with mainstream early-'70s British rock arrangements, a combination that wasn't all that arresting. Other cuts like "Luxford" had a more suitable acoustic soft rock sound, though the songs themselves weren't knockouts. Ex-King Crimson drummer Michael Giles played on the record, though he didn't stretch his prog rock chops here too often, and there are only flashes here and there -- perhaps in "Sweet Hill Tunnel," and the tensely wistful parts of "Pastor Roger" -- of the somber grandeur to which the Nice had once aspired.[Richie Unterberger]
Here

6 comments:

VaTAga said...

Thank! Very good album. I`m hearing it now and want to find first album. You said it was second?

Georgie Hirezola said...

Their first album is "King Progress" & probably it's their best!!!!
Unfortunately it is on "Charisma" not "Vertigo" and that means it didn't gain a Jap SHM-CD reissue by UNIVERSAL...
Georgie++++

VaTAga said...

Oh, good information! Thank you! Now I have the first album!

jazzobsessive said...

Looking forward to giving this a listen before deciding to purchase.

I have Kings Progress which I really rate.

This group is a recent new discovery
to me-three cheers for bloggers!

Thanks

sensi said...

a re-up is possible? thanks

bus from kl to penang said...

The bus garden shown here is wonderful. Useful post