This post is from one of my favorite bands Powerhouse. These two LP's are from my personal collection. Recorded to CD then ripped to my hard drive. Purchased like a lot of my music from the Record and Tape Exchange in College Park, MD.
by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the May 6, 1988 issue of The San Diego Evening Tribune.
This blues/soul/roots album was recorded more than a decade ago, and is being released nationally for the first time. A now-defunct East Coast combo, Powerhouse was led by vocalist George Leh, whose reedy tenor is somewhat reminiscent of B.B. King's.
"Lovin' Machine" is a practical encyclopedia of how to play R&B, blues and early rock. Ray Charles' "Hard Times" may be the best example. Leh's impassioned vocals will rattle the china, and Ben Kay's piano intro would move Brother Ray himself. "Sad Hours," the only instrumental, lets guitarist Tom Principato and harpist Pierre Beauregard stretch out. And tenor saxophonist Dave Birkin wails a haunting sound throughout the record.
Powerhouse's covers of "Flip, Flop and Fly," "Sweet Little Woman," "Stompin' at the Savoy" and Leiber-Stoller's "Saved" make this one of the best regional albums since George Thorogood wandered out of New Jersey 15 years ago.
Rockin' George Leh
Since 1963 singer Rockin' George has been a fixture of the New England and Washington D.C. area music scenes. Rockin' George was a member of The J. Geils Blues Band (1967), Swallow (1968-1973), Skyhook (1973-1975), Powerhouse (1975-1977), and The Thrillers (1978-1981).
This is Tom Principato’s first recording with Powerhouse, his legendary horn-driven band from Boston.
"Powerhouse"
"Lovin' Machine"
"Bloodshot Eyes"
"Hard Times"
"Quiet Whiskey"
"Nosey Joe"
"Safronia B"
"Roller Coaster"
"Jailbird"
"Shut Your Mouth"
"Night Life"
"Lovin' Machine"
"Sweet Little Woman"
"Stompin' At The Savoy"
"Flip, Flop & Fly"
"Sad Hours"
"Fever"
"Saved"
"My Babe"
This is awesome!
50MB, WMA 9.1 96kbps, 73 Minutes
Download Link Removed as per request from Tom Principoto.
My apologies to Tom!
11 comments:
Wed, Jan. 30 2008
El Boqueron
Rockville, MD
(301) 929-5200
Special show with Tom Principato, the guitarist from Powerhouse! Steve Jacobs bass (also from Powerhouse) Tommy Lepson organ, Joe Wells drums, and the "Souled Out" horn section. Also opening: "Souled Out" Band
Thu, Jan. 31 2008
The State Theatre
Falls Church, VA
(702) 237-9500
Special show with Tom Principato, the guitarist from Powerhouse! with Steve Jacobs bass (also from Powerhouse) Tommy Lepson organ, Joe Wells drums, and the "Souled Out" horn section
click for more info
Sat, Feb. 2 2008
Fish Head Cantina
Arbutus, MD
(410) 247-2474
Special show with Tom Principato, the guitarist from Powerhouse! Steve Jacobs bass (also from Powerhouse) Tommy Lepson organ, Joe Wells drums, and the "Souled Out" horn section Sponsored by The Baltimore Blues Soc.
The 1st comment I get is an advertisement...Oh well, at least it's for a good cause
Great CD. Have memories of Powerhouse at the Childe Harold in the 70's. Question: That's not George on Safronia B. Who is it? Tom does sing it live, but don't think it's him on the CD. Bull Moose Jackson?
Can't help ya there
No prob.
Nice site BTW. I'm always looking for the obscure musical gems and doing compilation CD's. But my efforts pale in comparison to yours.
John in VA
Thanks for the kind words John!
Thanks for sharing man! This is a great blog, i found lot of interesting things round here.
Saludos desde Argentina
Manu Boló,
Glad you found me...enjoy whatever else you find, and thanks for checking in!
From: Tomprincipato@aol.com
Subject: Hey...
To: kayaker729@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, September 17, 2010, 4:45 PM
Camarillo,
Came across your blog about the Powerhouse album and although I appreciate your kind words and support I DO NOT appreciate you posting a link for people to download that album for free. I own it and I'm still selling it and that's how I make my living.
Please take that link down. Rapidshare doesn't pay me anything.
Thanks!,
Tom
Tom says the cd is available here:
...actually the best thing you could do is direct them to www.powerhouserecords.com to purchase the CD.
Actually...it.is Tom on that vocal...and I damned sure wish there was a torrent to download....have the original album...one of the standouts of my old LP collection...I'm orig.from Falls Church
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