Gold Plated 1976 Album

Climax Blues Band

First off, this is the CBB record with the first massive hit single – the thump-thumping super-funky U.S. tour diatribe “Couldn’t Get It Right” – which honestly comes off a bit like a thicker, smokier version of an early Average White Band hit tune, rendered even more authentic by Cooper’s growls. “Couldn’t Get It Right” is pretty much a matter of record, and certainly the most shining example of the band’s ability to perfect the blues/funk hybrid, but there are other spots worthy of hearing as well. “Rollin’ Home” and “Sav’ry Gravy” are a couple of blues-themed tunes which nearly remind me of the old days! Only they have updated production values and gimmicks. But especially “Gravy” is a gas to hear, showing the group hasn’t lost its’ quirky sense of humor. “Chasing Change” is a nice little funk-rock exercise, too. Nothing too special, but the way the band works in the harmonies with the main groove is pleasant enough. “Berlin Blues” is more on the epic side, feeling a bit like the old prog-blues pieces which Haycock used to go to town on, but it’s a bit too much atmosphere to hold my attention. “Together and Free” and “Mighty Fire” open the album on a mainly positive note, giving you a burst of energy, but otherwise, there is nothing all the special in these two tracks, either. Overall, Gold Plated is a tweener album from a tweener era, which is its’ charm and its’ problem, all at once. And I do not think the one hit song makes much of a difference here.