Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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The post-Family band formed by Family masterminds Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney. Where their former band balanced art-rock and blues-rock, the Streetwalkers were a throwback, a blues-rock band that put Chapman's extraordinary voice front and center. Unlike Family, however, the Streetwalkers, who were a good but not great band, sounded too calculated, as if they wanted to cash in on some of the pre-punk hard rock notoriety that bands like Bad Company and Thin Lizzy were getting. Where they remained consistent with their former aggregation was that the Streetwalkers, though popular in England, were virtually ignored in America. A solid, at times excellent live band, the Streetwalkers split up in the early '80s after the release of a (surprisingly) desultory live LP that had contractual obligation written all over it. As blues-based rock bands go, the Streetwalkers had their moments and did release one certifiably terrific record (Red Card), but unlike Family, their material was too inconsistent; Whitney's guitar playing started to sound too much like Jeff Beck, and Chapman's lyrics were egregiously sexist, the kind of dross you'd imagine from a bald, overweight, middle-aged man who thinks that being in a rock band means he's still big with (much younger) chicks.

by John Dougan

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers, the band, put out three consistent albums of funky booze rock in the mid- to late '70s, but the origin of the band was not a mediocre affair. Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney led their previous outfit, Family, through eight LPs of limited success, breaking up the band in late 1973. But their partnership continued and months later they set out to record a one-off album as a duo. A number of colleagues contributed to the project, including alumni of Family (John Wetton, Rick Grech, Poli Palmer, Jim Cregan) and King Crimson (Wetton, Mike Giles, Boz Burrell, Ian Wallace, Mel Collins). The resulting LP, Streetwalkers, was released in May 1974. The mixture of rockers and ballads was not Family; yet there was added depth to the music, stemming from the evolved songwriting and from the involvement of so many musicians. "Roxianna" and "Showbiz Joe" were part New Orleans jazz, continuing the Americana feel of Family's last album. "Systematic Stealth," a lovely textured ballad, and the slinky "Creature Feature" demonstrate the range of Roger Chapman's unusual voice, from gravelly crooning to just plain gravel. The album's most stunning moments, "Parisienne High Heels" and "Hangman," are brooding and hair-raising in their energy and dark themes. Chapman and Whitney kept drummer Ian Wallace and horn player Mel Collins to form a touring group, adding bassist Phil Chen and guitarist Bob Tench. Only Tench would stay for the full-fledged Streetwalkers band, which embraced funk and hard rock in a less subtle way than this first venture. Whitney's biting lapsteel guitar would become a signature sound of the Streetwalkers, but the songwriting never matched what was accomplished on this album.

by Patrick Little

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Finally one of the best-kept secrets of mid-70's rock–-not punk mind you–-but good old rock is available on CD. Since getting this just-released and remastered Downtown Flyers, I can't stop listening to the CD. Streetwalkers set sail right after Family threw in the towel, but long-time bandmates and songsmiths Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney decided to team up for a new venture. Along with Bob Tench, a superb guitarist and vocalist who was banished from the Jeff Beck group for being more talented than the band leader, and Nicko McBain (who would later gain more fame as the drummer for Iron Maiden) and bassist Jon Plotel, Chapman and Whitney crafted two gems, Red Card and Downtown Flyers, plus several other very good recordings.

The band sparkles throughout this session. The title track will quickly transport you back to the mid-70s, with its somewhat cheesy voice box that harkens to Peter Frampton. I think, however, it may be the weakest track. Toenail Draggin', Raingame, Crawfish, and Walking on Waters all showcase the power of the band, and show that it was more than just power but the work of an ensemble. Chapman is in fine form throughout, growling and rumbling at times, but never out of control. The twin guitars of Whitney and Tench meld seamlessly. Both deliver the goods without getting into any sort of musical melee; moreover, each plays to his own strengths with Tench torching the session with some great bluesy rifts and Whitney showcasing a touch on the slide guitar that will surprise many. Tench also provides some great, soulful second vocals that mesh surprisingly well with Chappo's unique delivery. The quite cuts such as Miller and Gypsy Moon recall the gentleness of Family classics such as My Friend the Sun and Children.

But the tour de force here is the nine-minute epic Burn It Down, as fine a song as any to emerge from the last half of the `70s. The crisp, clean guitar work, solid rhythm section, sparkling keyboards, and stellar vocals meld into a smoldering anthem depicting the frustration and rage of the working poor, tapping into the same primal energy that ironically fueled the rise of punk, which drove the final stake through the heart of Streetwalkers.

Updated liner notes are a bonus, especially because Charlie Whitney is showcased. His views about Streetwalkers rise and fall are candid and insightful. I would recommend this CD for those new to Streetwalkers; I'm sure die-hard fans of Streetwalkers, Family, Roger Chapman, and Charlie Whitney do not need my recommendation because getting the CD is a no-brainer.

By loce_the_wizard

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Punk rock made the Streetwalkers seem like old farts, but Red Card proved (upcoming metaphor overuse intended) that they still had an ace up their sleeve. From the groove-heavy "Roll up, Roll Up" to the ferocious "Run for Cover," this is the first and last great gasp from this band. In fact, had it come a few years earlier, it could have been included along with some of the better work by Chapman and Whitney's previous band, Family. The highlight, perhaps the best reason to search out this record, is a cover of Otis Blackwell's "Daddy Rollin' Stone," which Roger Chapman absolutely sings the living sh*t out of. It's an exhilarating moment and proof positive that he has one of the great voices in rock & roll.

by John Dougan

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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After Vicious But Fair did nothing in the U.S., Mercury passed on this live double set, which British Phonogram made available to the half-dozen or so Streetwalkers fans in America. There's not much to recommend here, the sound quality is awful, and the vinyl pressing frequently fuzzes into a ball of distortion when the band plays in unison. Chapman tears off a few soulful moments, and when the band doesn't sound like a bunch of prog-rock hacks, it can rock. This is only for the truly fanatical.

by John Dougan

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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Streetwalkers: 5CD and DVD collection (1974-1977)

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