Totally Out Of Control (1974)
Totally Out Of Print Pure Pop Gem
I half wanted to post these tracks unlabeled, to force a hearing without any pre-conceptions, because even long standing power pop lovers have routinely dismissed The Hudson Brothers – typically before even hearing them. It’s no wonder, really. During their 70s heyday, they dared to bust a move to network television, who were busy courting the likes of Sonny & Cher and The Osmond Brothers. Lost in The Hudsons’ quest to entertain middle America was this long lost pop great, Totally Out Of Control, a stylistically rich LP of hooks, melodies, harmonies and pop smarts, fitted squarely into the circular mold of Badfinger and The Beatles. While Big Star were slowly influencing their contemporaries, and 10cc & ELO were just hitting their strides, The Hudsons had already nailed down one sharp, pop homage with Totally Out Of Control, produced by Bernie Taupin for Elton John’s Rocket Records. Today, it sounds almost like a contemporary, Rutles-esque flashback album, filled with second-tier compositions familiar from Badfinger records and nuances designed to trigger memory banks. There’s the George Harrison lead lines in “Sunday Driver,” a “We Can Work It Out” gait informs “If You Really Need Me,” while Bee Gee harmonies pepper “Lover Come Back To Me.” Wildman Mark Hudson has become a bit of an elder pop statesman of late, as his MySpace page attests. His YouTube Beatlefest interview about working with Ozzy Osbourne is a hoot, and he’s the producer of record for Harry Nilsson’s last, unreleased album (he’s written and/or produced a few of our recent posts over at For The Love Of Harry). As for The Hudson’s legacy… good luck! It’s all long out of print. The only thing you can find (besides this original vinyl) at Amazon is their silly TV show.
Long Long Day (2:25)
Be A Man (3:23)
Truth Of The Matter (2:44)
Killer On The Road (3:02)
Dolly Day (3:44)
Lover Come Back To Me (2:43)
Straight Up And Tall (3:47)
If You Really Need Me (1:55)
Sunday Driver (2:45)
Isn’t It Lovely (2:27)
La La Layna (2:34)
Medley: These Things We Do/Home/Out Of The Rainbow/Find Me A Woman (7:16)
BONUS: Thanks to The Power Population for alerting us to their extensive collection of rare Hudson Brothers releases. As mentioned above, all The Hudson’s stuff is wildly out of print, so The PP might be the only place to find obscure LPs like their first, Hudson, as well as The Truth About Us, Damn Those Kids, Hollywood Situation and the rare live CD, Live At The Chateau 1978. Some of their later material got a bit disco and showbizzy, but just finding it is half the battle. We took the liberty of swiping this extremely rare, three track 45 (boasting two non-LP tracks from the Totally Out Of Control sessions) to complete this post. Thanks Power Population.
Straight Up And Tall (3:47) From Totally Out Of Control
America (2:58) Non-LP Track
Fight Back (2:40) Non-LP Track
24 Comments
Thanks! I'll give it a go..
and thanks for all your dedication to this very fun site.
Willard, you have earned my trust enough to make me go where I never thought I'd go before…
Thanks!
HA! Thanks. Those sound players are there, just in case. But, read closely… "second-tier compositions" aren't just filler words, and Badfinger comparisons don't always mean top of the heap. It's a fun album, though, despite any flaws.
Love the Hudson Brothers. Great songs and great melodies. I've had this one since it came out. I've been looking for 1972's Hudson and 1978's The Truth About Us. If you have these please add them to the list of things to post some day. Thanks for all the great music.
You can get those here
Willard, refresh my memory. I vaguely recall an album that tied-in with their television show (blue cover), that actually had some comedy bits scattered. But as I remember, they also had a hit off of it with "So You Are A Star," that mixed in nice with the Raspberries and 10cc of the era. Wasn't there a third album as well?
You're thinking of Hollywood Situation. Follow the link above your comment and you'll find that one and numerous others. For my money though, this was the only one that hit that pop sweet spot.
Wow, fun stuff, and I would've passed this right over. Wasn't one of these guys married to Goldie Hawn? Or am I thinking of the Banana Splits?
Actually, you're right. Bill Hudson was Mr. Goldie Hawn for a while.
Portland's finest! (At least in the '70s). Thanks for these, Willard, and the link to the site with the others.
Yes, it's "Hudson" as in "Kate Hudson".
glad to see the Hudson Brothers are still (fondly) remembered – my favorite LP was the long-lost "Ba-Fa" with "Rendezvous," the best Beach Boys song the Beach Boys never wrote
Always loved this album… don't care what anyone else thinks. I still play my well-worn vinyl copy and am glad to have a digital version. Thanks.
I always thought So You Are A Star was one of the best Beatles songs never recorded by The Beatles
This looks fun
Didn't see if you mentioned it, Willard, but Mark Hudson had quite an interesting partnership with Ringo Starr for several years until they had a falling out. A main creative force in Ringo's excellent albums "Choose Love" and "Liverpool 8", as well as in the band for Ringo's Vh1 Storyteller gig.
I remember their variety show, but I don't think I knew the music very well (or forgot). Good LORD that's Beatlesy!!!
.
.
.
Find them both HERE
.
.
.
I acquired when first posted have have enjoyed ever since. Thanks.
Not really Portland’s finest, IMHO, but a great band non the less. Bill was a classmate of mine so I was able to go to many of the early “shows”. Mostly dances in the gym of the local schools. Thanks for the post, twofthrs
Cool. Thanks for commenting.
Heard these in my dads collection they are awesome. I’ve got almost all of their vinyl in perfect condition. These guys were unknown superstars…you are right they were not taken seriously. Whenever I have one of their songs on people will ask who are they…then toss names of big bands out! LOL when I tell them the Hudson bros. they say who?…..
Man, I love your site. Just discovered it. How did I miss it for so long? Sorry the Hudson bros link has gone dead but, still just a pleasure to cruise the wormholes.
Up and running. Thanks.
I have all the Hudsons albums- have been a fan of thiers since I was about 10. I thought tv show was silly but it did get me interested in music. they used to open with covers of the rolling stones and simon and garfunkle and it got me curious as to what the originals sounded like. I still like the Hudsons version of Keep the Customer Satisfied better- but thats just me.
I would put Mark Hudsons voice up against just about anyones. that man knows his way around a ballad. Altho I love Totally Out of Control my heart will always belong to BA FA.
thanks for posting this- its always nice when this band gets a shout out and a positive review!!