Bright Sun Is Shining (1970)
The Original Fish Man On His Own
Here’s another from back in May that was uploaded, but not posted for lack of text, which is still the case. Being a sucker for white blues guys that play better than they can sing (think Mike Bloomfield), here’s the debut LP from Barry Melton, famed for his work with Country Joe & The Fish, back in the heady days of the San Fran psych scene. Mostly soul/R&B/blues covers here (with a full band and a few horn charts). Nothing exceptional, solid if you’re a fan of the era. Unfortunately, it remains kind of faceless (though exuberant), since Melton was never able to carve his identity out with the masses. I don’t know what he was thinking with that lame cover of “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me,” however. I’d point you to AMG to read more about it, but it’s so under-the-radar they’ve got it listed as a Cozy Powell album. Amazon‘s only got one hard copy, for $40. Hear a track below.
Third Degree (4:02)
Something You Got (2:48)
I Had A Dream (2:46)
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (3:08)
Wine Women Whiskey (2:29)
Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp (3:04)
You’ve Got What It Takes (2:12)
Georgia (2:45)
I’ve Been In The Darkness (3:18)
It’s A Mean Old World (2:34)
You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me (2:51)
The Sun Is Shining (2:54)
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I’ve got this one thanks Willard, but your posting of it does give me an excuse to say a few things.
The English press of the time didn’t understand the Fish and were unmerciful with their panning.
But a few people in England really liked them and a friend lent me their records which were like from another planet.
I’ve always liked Melton’s work and here’s a belated thanks from me (and probably plenty of others) for some great stuff and music which has stayed with me for so many years.
Love yer work Barry!! (+ yours too Captain!)
Thanks. I couldn’t get it together in six months to write something about it. Better to let you guys do it. Cheers.
This is a mixed album to put it mildly, which I’ve had for decades. His best solo album is Barry Melton The Fish, recorded in Wales which has some great songs but not quite enough of his fine guitar playing. He currently divides his time between being a public defender (lawyer) in California and playing with various bands including in the UK which he visits most years. A charming man, I’ve had the pleasure of talking with him several times and he still delivers some great solos though without the focus of the great CJ Fish years. Thanks for reviving some interest in his work!
Very cool. Thanks for the insights.
For the enthusiasts, there’s heap of Melton stuff here – http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=barry%20melton
Just came across this single….sounds an awful lot like Barry Melton. Can anyone confirm???
I can’t, sorry. Sounds like a job for Record Fiend.
On the YouTube page where this video is posted, the caption sez, “A long lost X rated single featuring John Cipollina, Mickey Hart and others. Recorded around 1973 on the Nasty X-1 label.” I’d never heard this song (“Teacher”) or even heard of it before reading about it here, so I don’t really have much to add. The singer’s voice sure does sound like Barry Melton, and considering that he occasionally performed with John Cipollina as “Fish & Chip” in the 1980s, there’s a pretty good chance that this was an early collaboration between the two.
RF
Thanks for the ears, Fiend.