First Base - BABE RUTH***

Wells Fargo/The Runaways/King Kong/Black Dog/The Mexican/Joker

As the title implies First Base was the debut album from the English rock band Babe Ruth. They appear to have been largely unappreciated in their home country, but enjoyed limited success in the States, and this album was certified gold in Canada. (US:178)

“Babe Ruth would shift from being a hard-edged progressive rock band to being a hard rock band with a few progressive touches on subsequent albums, but this debut finds them at their proggiest.”

“The amazing female vocals and searing guitars are what set Babe Ruth apart from their multitudinous rock band competition in the early 70s.”

“The first of many albums from this outfit, and a pretty decent listen. Although they seem to be best known for their heavier songs it's actually the more mellow progressive rock numbers like The Runaways that grabbed my ears. The female vocals give this album a unique flavour as well, but again I preferred them most on the slower pieces.”

“Their first album is a cross between hard rock typical of the early '70's, some prog moves here and there. Fronted by great Janita Haan on vocals, the album has some good moments like The Runaways or instrumental King Kong with nice arrangements on keys.”

“This is mostly hard edged, semi-commercial prog rock, featuring husky-voiced female vocals. They are a great, relatively unknown band, and this debut showcases them at their best.”

“The First Base album definitely had some great hard rock songs, but also some that were totally different from anything coming out at that time or era. This is what made this band so great, that they could play any kind or style of music, and it all sounded great. Babe Ruth also had some very accomplished musicians, and of course, the great Janita Haan singing lead vocals with her powerful and awesome voice, she's one of the best ever in my opinion.”

“Excellent hard rocking prog with slamming vocals by Janita Haan and burning guitar solo's courtesy of Alan Shacklock. The whole thing grooves along intensely for a wild ride.”