Travelers Aid - Corduroy Roads (Reissue) (1970/2000)

Based in San Benardino, Califorinia this short lived early 1970s band traced its roots to The Torquays. Under the guidance of record label owner/producer/writer Bill Bellman, The Torquays released a series of five singles during their 1964-1967 lifespan. Though they enjoyed some regional success, The Torquays never broke nationally and by 1968 they were history.

A year later band members Ron Casdin, Eddie Perez, Danny Rentz, and Lance Sanvik reappeared as Travellers Aid. Produced by Bill Bellman (he also wrote, or co-wrote four of the ten songs), 1970's "Corduroy Roads" was originally released on the small Rock label. The first couple of times I listened to this one I couldn't figure out what all the excitement was about. Frequently described as The Torques-go-psychedelic, that tagline was complete misleading. In fact the closest this came to be psychedelic were Casdin's fuzz guitar on 'Makin' Tracks'. Instead the overall feel was a mixture of bar band and country-rock moves. Coupled with low-fi production and basic songwriting skills, I was thoroughly put off by the results. Why would anyone pay mega dollars for this one? Well I can't answer that, but I'll admit that the album's subsequently grown on me. No way I'd ever shell out the asking price for an original, but for the reissue - sure. To be perfectly honest there wasn't a single innovative move across these ten songs and the band frequently sounded like a group of talented high school, or college kids practicing in a basement. The funny thing is that like my affection for Buddy Holly, or Creedence Clearwater Revival, the album's simplicity was one of the reasons I've grown to appreciate it. Exemplified by material like the leadoff blues rocker 'Slow Freight' and 'Rock and 'Roll Is Spoken Here' these guys didn't waste time of effort on anything superficial, including socio-economic insights ('if life's a bowl of cherries, why do I always get the pits?'). Perez and Sanvik provided a steady and uncomplicated base throughout. Casdin's rough hewn voice wasn't fantastic, but he had a gritty edge that was quite likeable and well suited for the rockers like 'Bad Sign'' and 'Deep Water'. Similarly he wasn't the fanciest lead guitarist you've ever heard, but he made the most of his time, turning in solos that were consistently entertaining, but simple enough that you could probably figure out the patterns. Casdin's solo on 'Moonlight' was a perfect example of his telent and limitations. Maybe due to the fact it sounded much like a CCR outtake, the Rentz-penned 'Lookin' for Tomorrow' stood as my favorite song. At the other end of the spectrum, in spite of the title, 'Electric Blues' sounded like a bad Tokens slice of MOR pop. Yech ! Certainly not what the hype would have you believe, and not something that would have a major impact on your vision of life, but pleasant in a low-keyed fashion.~Bad-Cat