After a long delay, a line-up change, and signing to the Private Stock label (another small label), BROWNSVILLE STATION released what many consider to be the band’s best album in the spring of 1977. It’s their self-titled album, often dubbed the ‘red album’ for it’s cover (also referred to as the band’s ‘lost’ album being the only one not given a proper CD release). After the excellent Motor City Connection album, the band added Bruce “Beezer” Nazarian on guitar, keyboards, and vocals. Nazarian had previously guested on the track “You Know Better”, from MCC. (Now) legendary producer Eddie Kramer was brought in to produce the album. A busy year for Kramer, as he was also involved with such bands as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Bad Company, and Angel (among others) throughout the year. Recorded largely at The Cenacle of Mount Kisco, NY, a former convent (abandoned and demolished in 2019), also known where Aerosmith recorded their Draw The Line album, also released later in ’77. The cover for the red album was taken on the property by Shig Ikeda (legendary photographer, better known for his photos of Blondie).
The band took on a more harder edged sound, heavier on the guitar and stories. Cuts like “Sleazy Louise”, “Hot Spit”, and “Rockers n Rollers”. The band also took on a more commercial (or radio friendly) approach with songs like “Lover”, “Throw Me A Lifeline”, and the hit single “Lady (Put The Light On Me)”, a song co-written by British producer/songwriter – Phil Wainman & Brotherhood Of Man’s John Goodison. BS also featured a rockin’ updated cover of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame” (this was a year prior to Cheap Trick’s live version, which became a hit single for them). Another highlight is the southern blues of “Mr Johnson Sez”, a tribute, in which the band include legendary delta blues player Robert Johnson in the writing credits. Also included is the band’s nod to Jack Daniels via the country sounding story “My Friend Jack”. Last up is the band’s legendary late-night bizarre sci-fi tale of “The Martian Boogie”. This one would feature on the Dr Demento radio show, and was issued as a single, becoming another minor hit. “The Martian Boogie” is also the next most likely Brownsville Station song (after “Smokin’ In The Boys Room”) that one might still here on FM radio.
Though Brownsville Station boasted 2 minor hit singles, the album didn’t do as well, but this line-up stayed together for one more album. In 1978, then signed to Epic, the band altered their name to just ‘Brownsville’, and released Air Special. Produced by Tom Werman, longtime producer for Ted Nugent, as well as Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, and later ’80s metal acts like Twisted Sister and Dokken. Werman seemed to help attempt to make the band more straight ahead hard rock and commercially appealing, but to me this album was a bit of let down after the 1977 album. It featured the single “Love Stealer” (another Phil Wainman track), but it did not chart. The band broke up soon after.
Although there’s been no proper CD release of Brownsville Station, Music On Vinyl did release limited edition red and white vinyl (separately) copies of this album in 2019.
BROWNSVILLE STATION (Private Stock 149)
Lady (Put The Light On Me) (3:24) (Utopia/Dejamus – ASCAP) (Wainman, Goodison) A soulful vocal chorus lifts this record above the norm of hard rock offerings, but make no mistake, this is rock at its most unrefined. A definite audience participation number. Any pop stations won’t be able to resist this re- emergence on a new label. (CashBox, 05/77)
BROWNSVILLE STATION (Private Stock 167)
The Martian Boogie (4:20) (Ainal) (Lutz, Weck, Koda, Nazarian)
This edit of the LP version still combines the best of talking blues, science fiction and passages reminiscent of Blue Oyster Cult. The band isn’t self-conscious about it’s somewhat juvenile sense of humor, brought forth with an alien squeak and eerie music reminding one of “One Step Beyond.” – CashBox, 08/77.
BROWNSVILLE STATION – Brownsville Station – Private Stock OGPS-2026 – Producer: Eddie Kramer – List: 6.98
Tight. brash and uncompromising rock and roll is their forte
and they promise not to make you think, get involved or become
spiritual. But if you like it loud, sassy and simple, this quartet has
just the right sound to test your stereo equipment. No punk
rockers these guys, Brownsville Station gets the point across without drowning it in over -amplification. For top 40 and AOR playlists. (CashBox, 1977-04-30)
*Michael Lutz, lead singer for Brownsville Station, has become the first rock musician (as far as we can tell) to qualify for the 26+ miles of the Boston Marathon (the Brownsville Station LP is due out on Private Stock at the end of the month) .. (CashBox, 04/77)
LINKS:
https://www.detroitrocknrollmagazine.com/2015/07/the-making-of-martian-boogie.html
Outsider Rock 