Tommy Bolin - Whips And Roses I & II (2006)

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Tommy Bolin - Whips And Roses I & II (2006)

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Whips and Roses is a collection of previously unreleased material from the 1975 rock album Teaser by Tommy Bolin. Released on April 25, 2006, it features newly discovered takes from songs found on Teaser as well as several instrumental jams heard for the first time on this album. Several songs on Whips and Roses were originally released on the album Teaser. These versions are remixed from alternate takes remaining from the Teaser sessions. Many of these new renditions feature extended arrangements and radically alternate guitar solos from the original album.

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Tommy Bolin - Whips And Roses I & II (2006)

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Since the release of 1996's stellar From the Archives, Vol. 1, it's understandable to say that Tommy Bolin Archives subsequently went a bit overboard (it seemed like they released every single piece of tape they could get their hands on – regardless of the sound quality). But when Tommy's younger brother, John Bolin, discovered a box full of forgotten tapes, the finest archival release since Archives, Vol. 1 was in place – 2006's Whips and Roses. Featuring both strong alternate takes of Teaser classics and several previously unheard instrumental jams, Whips and Roses is unquestionably the best-sounding Bolin CD ever released (the project's producer, Greg Hampton, should certainly be commended). New versions of the hard-rocking "Teaser" and the Wes Montgomery-esque "Savannah Woman" come close to matching the officially released versions (adding grit to the playing improves the sometimes too-smooth sounds of Teaser). And out of the instrumentals, a killer take of "Crazed Fandango" (titled here as simply "Fandango") and "Cookoo" (which contains traces of the Teaser instrumental "Homeward Strut") are certainly standouts. It's rare that a compilation of outtakes could serve as a fine introduction for the new fan, but the material on Whips and Roses is so strong that it comes close to accomplishing this feat. A fine sampling of one of rock's all-time great guitarists.

~ Greg Prato, All Music

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Tommy Bolin - Whips And Roses I & II (2006)

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This is the acid test. When Whips and Roses was released in April of 2006, it was a revelatory collection, showcasing many high quality – performance and sound-wise – alternate takes and demos of material that appeared on Tommy Bolin's Teaser in particular. All of these cuts came from a box found by Bolin's brother John and given to producer Greg Hampton. That there is a second volume makes even the hardcore fan a bit wary. What's here will not disappoint the veteran Bolin collector, but it will probably put off first-time listeners (simply because there are a couple of really dodgy sounding live cuts at the end.) In places this is stretching it., but not too much. There are four different takes of songs from Teaser – "People, People," "The Grind," "Homeward Strut," and "Lotus" – and yet another outtake of the left-off "Crazed Fandango." In addition, there are six other tracks, most of which are jam band-oriented, including the 14-plus minute "Bagit Blues Deluxe," "Tommy's Got Da Blues" (which comes in at nine-plus minutes) and "Some People Call Me" (over 13 minutes). Right, total excess guitar hero stuff. It's in the songs themselves where Bolin really shines here, his virtually boundless imagination when it comes not just to playing, but to writing, arranging, and performing as well. If you dug volume one, then this is for you.

~ Thom Jurek, All Music