Stone The Crows – STONE THE CROWS***

The Touch Of Your Loving Hand/Raining In Your Heart/Blind Man/The Fool On The Hill/I Saw America

Self titled debut album from the Scottish blues-rock band Stone The Crows, featuring 1970s stalwarts vocalist Maggie Bell, and Alex Harvey who would later form his own band to moderate critical and commercial success.

“This is one of those albums that blues fans tend to rave about. There is no doubt the band had more than their share of talent. Les Harvey was a first-rate guitarist, and bassist/singer James Dewar was equally impressive, though largely kept to the sidelines. That said, Maggie Bell has always struck me as being a Janis Joplin wannabe. Her screechy delivery has the same impact on me as chalk on a blackboard. Similarly, the band's blues heavy repertoire left me cold and indifferent, although this does not imply that the album was without some merit.”

“Good debut release by this blues psych band. There is more blues than psych on here with outstanding lead guitar and terrific Hammond. Maggie Bell is a Janis Joplin clone and she has a fabulous voice.”

“Bluesy version of Fool On The Hill sung in Janis Joplin harsh style sounds somewhat weird and I Saw America is too spreading and becomes somewhat tedious. Music is very good all through the album but it is a bit short in originality. They try too hard to sound bluesy and as a result they lose part of their individuality.”

“Very soulful blues rock with raspy female vocals and some great hard blues rock guitar with a few progressive elements as well.”

“A very nice debut album from the Scottish soul-blues group fronted by Maggie Bell, a singer inspired by Janis Joplin. Side One comprises four songs, featuring an organ sometimes reminiscent of Ray Charles, among which there are two covers: the acoustic Blind Man and a bluesy, poignant rendition of the Beatles’ Fool On The Hill. Side two features the long suite I Saw America that is more open to progressive and psychedelic flavours, sometimes recalling The Grateful Dead.”

“A stunning debut album from one of the lost bands of the 70s, that should be in any serious classic rock fan's collection. You may not know the band by name, but many are sure to recognize one or two of the pedigrees involved.”