Willard's Wormholes

Accept No Substitute (1969)
D & B Together (1972)
Delaney & Bonnie’s First And Last

Accept No Substitute, Delaney & Bonnie’s debut LP, was a musical fish out of water if there ever was one. Released in 1969, the duo, along with some about-to-be Dominoes and Mad Dogs, crafted an LP completely separate from the sound and style of the psychedelic 60s. Steeped in gospel rock and spiritual southern soul, with a dominate Stax influence few white artists should ever attempt, the Bramlett’s stylistic blueprint was etched in place from day one. Behind the scenes vets like Leon Russell helped to shape the music’s dynamics and numerous friends (Bobby Whitlock, Jim Keltner, Carl Radle, Rita Coolidge, Jim Price and Bobby Keys, among others) helped to drive it all home with a power and conviction that would later define some of their future bands, Derek & The Dominoes and Mad Dogs & Englishmen (get the 6CD version HERE). Delaney & Bonnie’s albums would continue to be beacons for even more friends and admirers over the years. Everybody knows On Tour With Eric Clapton, the album that landed the pair in the public’s consciousness (find the deluxe version HERE), and To Bonnie From Delaney, which still stands as their definitive studio release. Motel Shot was a pre-Unplugged unplugged affair with yet another friend in tow, Duane Allman (find a live version at A&R Studios, HERE). But, curiously, Delaney & Bonnie’s last album, D & B Together, released as their marriage had already fallen apart, barely registered on the Richter scale… despite boasting studio versions of songs from the On Tour album (“Coming Home” & “Only You Know And I Know,” not to mention a future hit for The Carpenters, “Groupie” a.k.a. “Superstar”) and the participation of Clapton, Russell, Dave Mason, Tina Turner, Steve Cropper. Personally, I think it’s some of their best work, but I somehow seem to be in the minority on that point. The 2003 reissue includes six solo bonus tracks from Delaney albums, Some Things Coming and Mobius Strip and Bonnie’s Sweet Bonnie Bramlett. Find Accept No Substitute (HERE) and D & B Together (HERE) at Amazon.

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE
Get Ourselves Together (2:26)
Someday (3:29)
Ghetto (4:56)
When The Battle Is Over (3:33)
Dirty Old Man (2:31)
Love Me A Little Bit Longer (2:57)
I Can’t Take It Much Longer (3:08)
Do Right Woman (5:23)
Soldiers Of The Cross (3:11)
Gift Of Love (2:54)

D & B TOGETHER
Only You Know And I Know (3:28)
Wade In The River Of Jordan (2:12)
Sound Of The City (2:41)
Well, Well ((3:04)
I Know How It Feels To Be Lonely (3:49)
Comin’ Home (3:15)
Move ‘Em Out (2:53)
Big Change Comin’ (3:25)
A Good Thing (I’m On Fire) (2:16)
Groupie (Superstar) (2:51)
I Know Something Good About You (4:12)
Country Life (3:40)
Over And Over (2:43) – Delaney Bramlett Bonus Track
I’m Not Your Lover, Just Your Lovee (4:28) – Delaney Bramlett Bonus Track
Good Vibrations (3:14) – Bonnie Bramlett Bonus Track
Are You A Beatle Or A Rolling Stone (3:23) – Delaney Bramlett Bonus Track
(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am (3:59) – Bonnie Bramlett Bonus Track
California Rain (3:52) – Delaney Bramlett Bonus Track