Footprint 1971 Album

Gary Wright

Wright's second solo effort features an all-star cast of characters backing him, and I will say the songwriting is a leap from the debut record. If you are looking for an embryonic version of The Dream Weaver - you know, without all the weird keyboards and studio tricks - then look no further than this album."Give Me the Good Earth" sets the tone, with a vaguely funky, environmentally friendly anthem. The album then veers between socially conscious material like the anti-war "Stand For Our Rights" and "Whether It's Right or Wrong", and ballads such as "Love to Survive", which again, foreshadows what future Wright would sound like. But the best of the best here is "Two Faced Man", which is a track that would have been right at home on any late-period Spooky Tooth record - take your pick - just make the arrangement a bit heavier. On Wright's album, it's been lightened up for public consumption, but it is no less challenging. Problems? Well, once again, this is two albums of squeaky clean pop, with little to no edge to it. It's hard to actually buy into Wright's supposed anger and emotion, when the tone of the arrangements are bland on the average.