Commander Cody — Rock ‘n’ Roll Again/Flying Dreams

Here from the folks at BGO Records, we have a CD bringing together the first two late 1970’s albums from Commander Cody- a Michigan based band who offered up a largely energetic and buoyant brand of country/ bar rock, which is often horn tipped and boogie-woogie piano lined. 

The band started in Ann Abor Michigan in the year 1967 as the longer named Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, releasing six albums under this name between 1971 and 1976. The group's leader and co-founder was pianist and vocalist George Frayne IV, aka Commander Cody- who in 1977 decided to branch out on his own to record work with a more shifting line-up

The two albums featured here were both released by Arista Records and are 1978’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Again, and 1979’s Flying Dreams- with both offering up decidedly upbeat, memorable, and at times playful examples of 1970’s rock.

So first up we have Rock ‘n’ Roll Again, this features nine tracks, with Frayne(Paino/ lead vocals) being backed by the band of Darius Javaher- Lead/ Rhythm Guitar, Rob Greer- bass, Fred Myer- drums/ percussion, Cisco G-Tenor & Baritone Saxophone, Bobby Black-Pedal Steel Guitar,Charra Penny & Nicolette Larson-  Harmony Vocals.   The album kicks off in fine fashion with the lightly grooving ‘n’ funking “Midnight Man”- which features some neat rousing string work along with its other base elements. We have bounding boogie-woogie keys meets simmering rocking grooving of the title track. There is the driving bar rock of “widow” with its great use of powerful and rising female back vocals, jaunting horn and Pedal steel soloing. With the album been topped off with cascading keys and bounding rock of “Where Were You”.

 

Next up we of course have 1979’s Flying Dreams, and this featured eleven tracks. With Frayne(Piano/ Lead Vocals)- been joined by a selection of twenty-three other musicians, to create a slightly more varied album. We go from “Cry Baby Cry” a decidedly airier/ laid-back take on this Beatle track, with handclaps, piping keyboards, and rousing female gospel back vocals.  Onto the jiving bar rock of “Life Is a Carnival” which features some sweet ‘n’ smoking harmonica.  We have the bouncing and bonding bass meets tight keys of “Vampira” which features a moody string and rising female backed chorus. With the album playing with boogie-woogie keys meets sassy horn work swing of “My Day”.

 

Overall, this is a great release, bringing together two classy albums of more up-beat/ buoyant 70’s rock. I was not aware of Mr Frayne work before this release, so thanks to BGO for the intro to Commander Cody, and I  will certainly be checking out more in the future!.