TVD | Class of 1973

Jeff from AM, Then FM delves into his stack of 70's LPs, all Rocktober-like:

Heard it’s Rocktober here at TVD. Figured I’d dig through the ‘70s vinyl to find something that rocks. Or once rocked.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s first album, “Bachman-Turner Overdrive,” was released on May 17, 1973. Most of the tunes on this record are familiar, but only two were released as singles. The modest success of this record – it went gold in 1974 – was driven by album cuts played on free-form FM radio and the huge success of the singles that followed from later albums.


I’ve come to accept C.F. Turner’s rugged bellowing on most BTO vocals, as well as Robbie Bachman’s stomping drumming. It’s always been about the guitars anyway. On this record, it’s Randy Bachman on lead, Tim Bachman on rhythm and Turner on bass.

The best part of “Hold Back The Water” comes at 2:25, when a long guitar instrumental bridge kicks in. There’s a variety of styles, including some nice wah-wah guitar at 3:40. This was the flip side to BTO’s fine first single, “Blue Collar,” in 1973.

“Little Gandy Dancer” is a nice roadhouse rocker written and sung by Randy Bachman. It’s one of those tunes about a woman who’s too much woman. There’s a little bit of Chuck Berry in this one – a little guitar being played like ringing a bell. This was the flip side to the “Gimme Your Money Please” single later in 1973.

“Down And Out Man” is a bit of a rarity, co-written and sung by Tim Bachman. It sounds a little bit like something the Stones might have done. Depending on which story you believe, in 1974 Tim Bachman either quit the band or was thrown out because he just wasn’t good enough to be in BTO.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Hold Back The Water (Mp3)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Little Gandy Dancer (Mp3)
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Down and Out Man (Mp3)