IN GOOD COMPANY

This 1970 sampler was released in the UK on the CBS subsidiary label "17". If memory serves me correctly, this was a reference to the pre-decimalization price of the album of 17 shillings. CBS were clearly of the opinion that such samplers helped to promote the albums they represented, as this was one of three such albums released that year by them.

The tracks gathered here actually offer a fine collection of mainly US based artists from the late 60's and early 70's, including many who are listed on this site. A number of these artists also appear on the double LP sampler "Fill your head with rock", with some tracks such as those by Argent and Trees coming from the same albums. The tracks themselves however, are not duplicated.

Highlights include It's a Beautiful Day's sublime "White bird", Santana's "Evil ways" and Black Widow's wonderfully heavy "The way to power". Chicago Transit Authority's "Someday", which includes the famous "The whole world's watching" chant, reminds us of the case for that band's inclusion on this site. Mike Bloomfield's collaboration with Blood Sweat and Tears founder Al Kooper is a bluesy instrumental confusingly listed out of sequence on the sleeve.

On the less progressive front, Laura Nyro's "Save the country" is a superb eco-song which confirms that the issue is not a new one, while the Byrds classic "Ballad of easy rider" proves again that they were far more than just a country rock band. Gun's "Head in the clouds" is a fine guitar driven slice of Hendrix influenced rock.

This album, along with many other samplers from around the same time, was released with the intention of boosting awareness of lesser know acts. These days though, it serves as a superb testament to the wealth of talent which existed, and the wonderful music which was created, at that time.

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