From a lineup perspective, Kulberg, Greene, and Roberts remained, and the newcomers were Larry Atamanuik, Lloyd Baskin, and most importantly, Peter Rowan, from Boston-area psychedelic group Earth Opera. Since Greene had played in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, who also were based in Boston in the 60's, now the group had definitive links to the area and could be considered a transcontinental band of sorts, since they were usually based in Northern California. The geographical connections expanded further eastward, across the ocean to jolly old England, as George Martin - fresh off his longtime gig with The Beatles - chose Seatrain as the very first band to produce postscript. The end result is a curious affair, with country-rock and bluegrass overtones, and none of the ominous, cinematic tone which marked the debut record. The focus is on Greene's fiddle theatrics, instead of spreading the wealth among all of the players (as the debut did). Meanwhile, Rowan and Baskin share lead vocal duties - both of them sounding as sweet and down-home as possible - so this could all be mistaken for a second-hand Band clone upon initial listens.
But the material is really good, well-executed, and consistently entertaining, which makes up for this perceived lack of originality. "13 Questions" clipped the lower rungs of the charts, and deservedly so, while their take on Lowell George's "I'm Willin" is a hedonistic hoe-down. Rounding out the album is their wild version of the "Orange Blossom Special". Elsewhere, "Book of Job" is a fun, yet somewhat hokey take on the old Biblical story of Job, and I prefer to lose myself in the instrumental prowess, rather than the lyrics. Rowan's contributions are on the mellow side ("Home to You", "Waiting for Elijah"), and the band rehashes "Out Where the Hills" from the debut, but in a warmer, more inviting, some would say, less-than-thrilling tone. For me, that is the trade-off between this record and the debut - any trace of progressivism can only be found in Greene's fiddle playing, and maybe in the odd track from the Kulberg-Roberts team (especially "13 Questions") - but if you are looking for warm tones, roots-rock authenticity, and fairly good hooks, then the follow-up is a nice pick.
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