SWEETWATER

Sweetwater was a fine California band that is quite forgotten nowadays. They are mostly known for performing at Woodstock and that is also the only reason I checked them out. To be fair I don't find this group so "prog" as some people will state. They sound like a mixture between Jefferson Airplane and Santana (two bands that also played Woodstock). Their best known song is a version of the traditional "Motherless Child". The other songs are written by the band and are not that strong. They are too thin in composition and too mediocre. Nothing really stands out.

I got the feeling most people grant them succes due to Nansi's accident. Which was horrible. I do believe the band had some huge potential. The next album features 2 songs by Nansi and shows a great step forward in songwriting. They could have be really big. Besides, as people also point out, the band was a cultural mix and features cello and congas. Yes that is quite unusual in rock. But then again, putting in foreign instruments doesn't immediately make you 'progressive'.

Based on the music alone, I find the album pretty weak. It's a nice listen but not for repeated listenings. For me the best Sweetwater songs are the Nansi songs "Day Song" and "Look Out" which are included on the second album. This album sounds more like a Jefferson Airplane tribute.