Musicians Union Band - Musicians Union Band (1971)

CD reissue of this odd group's 1971 album, a competent mix of 1970 British pop and progressive styles, with dashes of blues, funk, and country-rock. It's not bad – kind of like a somewhat poppier spin on much of the rock you would have heard on FM radio around the early '70s – but neither is it much of a sparkling find. Isolated cuts stand out, like Polle Eduard's acoustic gypsy-flavored "Beggar Man," with its echoes of folk-rockers like Nick Drake and Tim Buckley. "Funky" is a rather pleasing soul/jazz/rock instrumental groover, and the oldies covers vary from a nice "In My Room" to a horrific Elvis medley.

by Richie Unterberger, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Poor Misguided Woman
02. In My Room
03. City Ride
04. Carolina Belle
05. Bad Boy
06. Your Man
07. Put Your Trust in the Lord
08. Sugar Lipped Sal
09. My Babe
10. Let the Circle Be Unbroken
11. "Elvis Lives": Elvis Lives/Heartbreak Hotel/Love Me Tender/One Night/Jailhouse Rock
12. Beggar Man
13. Funky
14. Shake Your Moneymaker
15. Put Your Trust in the Lord (Reprise)
16. Part 2
17. Yes It Must Be Spring
18. Side Step




Musicians:

Rudy Bennett (vocals) - Charismatic singer of The Motions, who later established himself as a solo artist.

Onno Bevoort (drums) - '4-on-the-floor' drummer of Sandy Coast.

Bert Borgers (sax, flute, vocals) - Played with legendary Dutch group Golden Earring, later involved with Stars & Stips, Herman Brood and Sweet 'D Buster, which also featured ex-Focus drummer Pierre Van Der Linden.

Martin Van Duinhoven (drums) - A fine jazz drummer, who at one time was a member of Den Haag band, Group 1850.

Polle Eduard (vocals, bass, guitar) - Multi-talented musician, former member of Tee Set and After Tea. Later formed Polle Eduard Band.

Hans Van Eijck (keyboards, percussion) Hit songwriter and, like Polle Eduard, a former member of both Tee Set and After Tea.

Ray Fenwick (guitar, vocals) Essential link between British and Dutch rock. Former member of The Syndicats, Tee Set, After Tea, Spencer Davis Group, later with the US-based Fancy, The Guitar Orchestra, The Ian Gillan Band, and Forcefield.

Rinus Gerritsen (bass, piano) - A past and present key member of Golden Earring. Has also played in Stars & Stips.

Jerney Kaagman (vocals) - Celebrated vocalist of Dutch progressive rock group, Earth & Fire.

Beer Klaassen (drums) - The masterly rock drummer of Den Haag bands, Q65 and Group 1850. Later with Finch.

Ferrie Lever (guitar) Yet another Tee Set, After Tea member.

Turquoise Marshall (vocals) - Was part of Rainbow Train. Also pursued a solo career under the name of Dianne Marchal.

Willy Morcus (drums, percussion) - A much sought-after studio musician.

Dee Murray (bass) - The late, great and sadly missed veteran rock musician. In his early career, Dee played with pop group Mirage along with drummer Dave Hynes. Both Dave and Dee joined Spencer Davis and Ray Fenwick in the 1969 line-up of The Spencer Davis Group. When Dave Hynes left the group, he was replaced by drummer Nigel Olsson. The Olsson-Murray partnership later emerged as the renowned Elton John Band rhythm section.
Nigel Olsson (drums) - Initially in Plastic Penny along with Mick Grabham, who later formed The Guitar Orchestra together with Ray Fenwick. Like Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson became part of The Elton John Band.

Henk Smitskamp (bass) - A member of The Motions and the hugely successful Dutch group Shocking Blue, who had an enormous worldwide hit with "Venus".

Robert Jan Stips (piano) - Member of Supersister and later founded Stars And Stips.

Peter Tetteroo (vocals) - Founding member of Tee Set. Went on to become a solo artist. The Tee Set found international success with the Van Eijck-Tetteroo song "Ma Belle Amie".

Hans Vermeulen (guitar) - vocals, keyboards. A founder member of Sandy Coast and Rainbow Train. Worked together with Dutch female vocalist Anita Meijer, both in Rainbow Train and during her solo career.

Jan Vermeulen (bass) - The brother of Hans Vermeulen and bassist in Sandy Coast, Rainbow Train and the Dutch session scene.

Ron Westerbeek (keyboards) - Fine musician and member of Sandy Coast


All thanks go to the original releaser