Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Artist: Bravebelt, Album: Bravebelt II, Song: Another Way Out

When Randy Bachman left the Guess Who in 1970 for personal reasons, he received a lot of negative publicity.  Especially in the Prairies where the group had originated.  Next to Neil Young, The Guess Who were likely the next most musically recognizable rock band in Canada.  Randy retreated to Winnipeg to spend time with his young family and soon found the desire to begin playing again.  He had an interest in country flavoured rock and wanted to do something a bit different than his experience with The Guess Who.  He hooked up with Chad Allen; an original member of the Guess Who initially, and along with Randy's younger brother Rob, began recording their self titled debut.  With the help of Neil Young, they landed a recording contract with Reprise Records.  The album wasn't commercially successful and as a result, Randy recruited a fourth member by the name of Fred Turner.  Turner would help usher in more of a rock sound which also initiated the departure of Chad Allen.  Randy's brother Tim joined to replace the departed Chad Allen around this time as well.  The band then left the hostile club circuit of Winnipeg for Vancouver and with the help of legendary manager, Bruce Allen, they were able to book some steady paying gigs.  During this time, the band would also begin to record tracks for a third Bravebelt album.  That album would eventually become the debut for Bachman Turner Overdrive when the band's deal with Reprise ended and they decided to change their name before signing with Mercury Records.  And the rest as they say is history.  Randy remodelled his reputation and began his second career with one of Canada's most popular rock and roll bands, BTO.  The two Bravebelt albums were combined and re-released by Bullseye Records in later years.  Another Way Out was originally from the second album and was penned by Bachman and Chad Allen.  Coincidentally, it sounds a lot like the Guess Who.  You can check the track out on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffg6hvNuKU).  You can purchase the Bravebelt album from Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!