Rhino's ongoing series of Quadio four-channel surround releases on Blu-ray Audio Discs has already presented a host of classic albums by the eclectic likes of Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Bread, Chicago, Seals and Crofts, Spinners, Randy Newman, and many others. Today, the label announced a new batch with three returning artists (The Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Starship, J. Geils Band) and one band new to Quadio (Foghat). Each of the four discs, currently available exclusively from Rhino.com, has a quadraphonic mix and a 192/24 stereo mix.
British rock band Foghat's third album, Energized, arrived in January 1974 on the Bearsville label. Produced by Tom Dawes, the album showcased the raw power of the four-piece unit (Dave Peverett on guitars and vocals; Rod Price on guitars, dobro, and vocals; Tony Stevens on bass and vocals; and Roger Earl on drums and percussion) on a variety of original songs primarily by Peverett and Price and a couple of choice covers ("Honey Hush," "That'll Be the Day"). Energized reached the top 40 in both the U.S. and Canada. This Blu-ray release marks the debut of this previously unreleased quad mix.
Having previously reissued Jefferson Starship's blockbuster 1975 album Red Octopus, Rhino is turning back the clock to the band's debut - or second album, if one counts the Paul Kantner/Jefferson Starship Blows Against the Empire - Dragon Fly (1974). Featuring Kantner, Grace Slick, David Freiberg, Papa John Creach, Craig Chaquico, Pete Sears, John Barbata, and Marty Balin (the latter of whom would follow his guest turn on Dragon Fly with a full, career-defining role on Red Octopus), Dragon Fly became the biggest success in roughly three years for the Jefferson Airplane musical family. Though it still bore the psychedelic sound of the classic Airplane, its streamlined sound augured for the pop successes that would follow for Jefferson Starship. With "Ride the Tiger" placing within the Billboard Hot 100, Dragon Fly (produced by Larry Cox and the band) peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and set the stage for the smash Red Octopus.
With The J. Geils Band's 1974 LP Nightmares...And Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle already a part of the Quadio line, Rhino is adding the band's 1973 Bloodshot to the lineup. The Massachusetts band broke through with Bloodshot, their third studio album and first top ten success. The unique single version of "Give It to Me" became a top 30 hit for Geils, lead vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica player Magic Dick, keyboardist Seth Justman, bassist Danny Klein, and drummer Stephen Jo Bladd; "Make Up Your Mind" also reached the Hot 100. This marks the first commercial appearance of this quad mix, which previously snuck out in 1973 on a test pressing only.
Finally, Quadio revisits The Doobie Brothers' Toulouse Street with a standalone release; Toulouse Street has previously been released as part of the band's 2020 Quadio box set. Produced by ex-Harpers Bizarre member Ted Templeman on Warner Bros. Records, Toulouse Street put the Doobies on the map. The 1972 LP found Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston welcoming bassist Tiran Porter and second drummer Michael Hossack (joining John Hartman who also played the distinctive percussion). With such seminal classics as "Listen to the Music" (which barely missed the top ten of the Hot 100 at No. 11), "Rockin' Down the Highway," and "Jesus Is Just Alright," Toulouse Street reflected the band's interest in a more aggressive sound but was influenced by an entire melting pot of musical styles including R&B, soul, bluegrass, jazz, gospel, country, folk, and reggae.
All four titles are available now directly from Rhino.com individually or as a bundle. You'll find the full track listings below!
Foghat, Energized (Bearsville LP 6950 (Stereo), 1974 / reissued in quad - Rhino, 2024)
- Honey Hush
- Step Outside
- Golden Arrow
- Home In My Hand
- Wild Cherry
- That'll Be The Day
- Fly By Night
- Nothin' I Won't Do
Jefferson Starship, Dragon Fly (Grunt Quad LP BFD1-0717, 1974 - reissued Rhino, 2024)
- Ride The Tiger
- That's For Sure
- Be Young You
- Caroline
- Devils Den
- Come To Life
- All Fly Away
- Hyperdrive
J. Geils Band, Bloodshot (Atlantic Quad LP QD-7260 (Test Pressing), 1973 - reissued Rhino, 2024)
- (Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party
- Make Up Your Mind
- Back To Get Ya
- Struttin' With My Baby
- Don't Try To Hide It
- Southside Shuffle
- Hold Your Loving
- Start All Over Again
- Give It To Me
Doobie Brothers, Toulouse Street (Warner Bros. Quad LP BS4 2634, 1973 - reissued Rhino, 2024)
- Listen To The Music
- Rockin' Down The Highway
- Mamaloi
- Toulouse Street
- Cotton Mouth
- Don't Start Me To Talkin'
- Jesus Is Just Alright
- White Sun
- Disciple
- Snake Man
MrSka57 says
Bloodtshot was J Geils' third studio album but fourth release (after Full House Live) overall.