But, Anyhow, [Bonus Track] [PA] (CD - 1970)

Personnel: David Teegarden (vocals, drums); Jimbo.

Recording information: GM Recording, Detroit, MI (03/1969).

Photographer: Walt Richmond.

Drummer David Teegarden and organist Skip "VanWinkle" Knape brought a little Tulsa soul-jazz to the rock world in the late 1960s and early '70s, but unfortunately, save for the 1970 hit "God, Love and Rock & Roll," they didn't generate a whole lot of commercial success. Part of the problem was the world then just didn't know quite what to make of a rock act that didn't feature flashy electric guitar, which is a shame, because these guys worked from an interesting template. But, Anyhow,, the duo's second album, originally issued on LP in 1970, is probably their best, and at its finest moments it mixes rootsy rock with a soul-jazz center and the result is pretty intriguing. The real gem here is the opening track, "Annie Had a Baby," which sounds nothing so much as a long lost track by the Band, and it is Americana in the best sense. Nothing else rises quite that high, although the duo's deliberately slow, bluesy take on Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City" comes close, and their take on Donovan's somewhat dated "Season of the Witch" has a refreshing and jazzy lounge feel to it that surprises maybe more than it actually works. Still, this is a consistently pleasant album, and Teegarden & VanWinkle's vocal work is often wonderfully perfect for their unique instrumental style. For anyone curious about this somewhat unusual duo, this album is probably the place to start. ~ Steve Leggett

Drummer David Teegarden and organist Skip "VanWinkle" Knape brought a little Tulsa soul-jazz to the rock world in the late 1960s and early '70s, but unfortunately, save for the 1970 hit "God, Love and Rock & Roll," they didn't generate a whole lot of commercial success. Part of the problem was the world then just didn't know quite what to make of a rock act that didn't feature flashy electric guitar, which is a shame, because these guys worked from an interesting template. But, Anyhow,, the duo's second album, originally issued on LP in 1970, is probably their best, and at its finest moments it mixes rootsy rock with a soul-jazz center and the result is pretty intriguing. The real gem here is the opening track, "Annie Had a Baby," which sounds nothing so much as a long lost track by the Band, and it is Americana in the best sense. Nothing else rises quite that high, although the duo's deliberately slow, bluesy take on Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City" comes close, and their take on Donovan's somewhat dated "Season of the Witch" has a refreshing and jazzy lounge feel to it that surprises maybe more than it actually works. Still, this is a consistently pleasant album, and Teegarden & VanWinkle's vocal work is often wonderfully perfect for their unique instrumental style. For anyone curious about this somewhat unusual duo, this album is probably the place to start. [The 2008 CD reissue adds a fun bonus track, a version of Jimmy McGriff's "All About My Girl" called "All About My Old Bitch Rendered from All About My Girl." ~ Steve Leggett minimize