LET'S BOOGIE...
That's pretty much how to describe The Edgar Winter Group's 1972
album
They Only Come Out At Night. Featuring the number one hit
"Frankenstein" and the classic-rock standard "Free Ride," this
album is rockin' and boogie'in blues.
Somewhat sounding like the very early ZZ Top, the following tunes combine boogie rock with just a touch of blues: "Hangin' Around," "When It Comes" (the drums starting out this song really get your attention), "Undercover Man" and "Rock 'N' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues." (With a title like that one, rest assured this album lives up to the name.)
Two surprises that make this album great as it already is: "Alta Mira." This one is similar to Paul Simon's "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard"; that unique sound is there, if you're familiar with the "Schoolyard" tune. "Round And Round" can easily pass as a country song that would fit today's country and/or southern rock standards. "Autumn" is the only slow ballad tune on the album. And "We All Had A Real Good Time" is another rocker, in the style of the early Rod Stewart and Faces.
Two members of The Edgar Winter Group would leave on their own and become popular musicians in their own right: guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who would form his own group called Montrose, featuring the vocals of a then-unknown singer at the time, Sammy Hagar. And Dan Hartman, who not only is best remembered for the hit song "I Can Dream About You," featured in the movie Streets of Fire, but would also become a succesful producer for well-known acts, as well as writing material for various movie soundtracks until his death in 1994. And lastly, a major role in the success of The Edgar Winter Group was former "Hang On Sloopy" McCoy's guitarist/vocalist Rick Derringer. He would produce the group's albums and also become a member when Montrose's replacement had left.
You will have a real good time with They Only Come Out At Night. This album is for those who truly enjoy classic-rock and/or just basic rock 'n' roll in general. There's never a dull moment in this one.