Brick City- I had to go back in time for this...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1050818
 
Hi- Brick City was recorded on 2" tape in NYC in 1972 and released by Musicor Records in 1973.  It was damn near a hit single too, picking up some serious airplay in major markets.  Then the Payola Scandal hit, and stations just stopped playing new releases unless you were a big time artist for fear of being suspected of taking bribes.  Would it have become a hit otherwise?  Who knows, and, stuff happens, right?  Don't matter now
 
I just picked up a reel-to-reel deck, and figured that I'd start digitizing some of my old tunes, especially being as I've been procrastinating so badly when it comes to completing new material.
 
It's worth mentioning the musicians who played on this date and put the record together, as I was fortunate to have some of the top studio players in NYC at that time for the session-
Drums- Rick Marotta
Bass- Russell George
Guitarists- Johnny Abbott, Phil Doyle (the later not one of the top studio players)
Piano- Kenny Ascher
Background vocals-Ellie Greenwich, Steve Feldman, Steve Tudanger & Phil Doyle
Mandolin & Sax- I feel awful, 'cause I can't for the life of me remember the guy's name
Engineers- Steve and Bill Jerome
Producer- Rick Talmadge
 
It was the most fun I've ever had in a recording studio, and I hope the tune still comes across for people.

That should have been a hit!

what a blast.

70's?  No wonder it reminded me of high school.  Or the music of that time anyway. :-)  Great job! 

This is good stuff, Phil!  Despite being recorded back in 72, the production sounds quite good.  The song is quite catchy and fantastic performance by all the band members.

Hey, Phil,
 
It was definitely well worth the trip in your time machine!  I agree with the comments above, if this had gotten some decent airplay back in the early 70's it really would have topped the charts.
 
Amazing, fun stuff, great work, thanks for posting and sharing it!
Bob

Hi Gang- Sorry I haven't been back sooner to say thanks, but my job and some visiting family members have kept me pretty busy.

Baps- Wasn't Mooch saying something about having figured out time travel?  I know I can count on you if you ever get back there!

James- Coming from a guy with your production chops, I will take that as an extra special compliment.  Thanks.

Blipp- Thanks... If I was as prolific and talented as you I wouldn't be digging back 37 years.

Janet- Gee, thanks for reminding me that I was NOT in HS at that time

Rick- Thanks for the listen, and your latest with Scotty has got me thinking more Country.  I put Brick City in as 'Country Rock' mostly 'cause I didn't know what else to call it.

Luke- Thanks for the listen and kind comments.  Yeah those great studio guys are really something!
 
Greg- Thanks so much.  Yeah, I think it holds up pretty well today, but I guess I'm not wholly objective.

Bob- Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride, and glad you enjoyed the tune as much as I dig your material.
 
Warren- Many thanks.  That was a 'head date'... just chords and lyrics for them to go by.  They listened thru 2 or 3 times, and then started playing.  By the 4th or 5th time around, they were really cooking.  I was in awe.

Thanks again all.  It makes me really happy just to know people are hearing and enjoying this song again.

The mix/production sounds darn good to my ears as well.

Let's see.... in '72 I was a young 19 and grew up on this 'stuff'. :)

Has that care-free/road-trip vibe..

Love the jangly acoustic and the bass is very well defined too.
 yeah..really like the bass! (listening 2nd time round)

Excellent musicianship and the song floods my mind with a variety of late 60's/early 70's artists.

It's a shame this tune got 'smoked' by nonsense!!

Larry

Thanks for the further listenings guys.  FWIW (which is probably nothing ) Brick City got as high as #5 on Soundclick's Country Rock Charts... so I guess it was a hit (of sorts) after all.

Paulie- Thanks for the kind words: it seems I fared pretty well so far as Mooch reviews go.  Oh, and BTW- Bapu said that you called him to say that you had told him "DUDE YOU GOTTA HEAR THIS" after listening to the song 19 times.
 
Larry- Two listens, huh?  Thanks!  Yeah, Russell George's bass playing was worth a second go around all by itself... the guy's nearly as good as Bapu.
 
JC- Glad you liked it.  Thanks for the listen and comment.

Mark- Thanks for the listen and comment.

This sure took me back a few years! Great song, Phil!

it's amazing to think you was doing this a few years before i was born! great idea to resurrect these and thus keep them in perpetuity! reminds me a bit of elton john, definitely of its time!

Julianna- As a huge fan of yours, I appreciate your taking the time to listen and reminisce.  You may well have heard it in the summer of '76 especially if you were on the west coast, as there were reports of various stations playing it around that time.  Yes, I have a whole box full of old reel-to-reel tapes, and I may even post some more as I wade thru.

Scotty- Glad you liked it.  Thanks for dropping by.

Robby- Thanks for the listen and comments, and, yeah, I did the whistle too.  Long story about that... maybe some other time.

Mark- Uhhhh, thanks for pointing out that you weren't born yet... makes me feel, oh, so so young   Thanks for the listen!

Paul- Really glad you dug the tune.  Thanks!

+ + + + 1  reminds me of better days in the 70"s

ruralrocker2010- Thanks, I consider it an honor just to get mentioned on the same page as those guys!

BIABDude- Glad I could take you back.  A bunch of pluses there... thanks.
 
groveendroad- Yeah, I was a bit unsure on the genre, but, from my perspective, it's a good feeling just to know people are still enjoying it.  Thanks!

Dan- Glad you liked it.  Thanks for the listen.