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Frequently Bought Together
Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Barefootin' |
| 2. Temptation `Bout To Get Me |
| 3. Guitar Army |
| 4. Something's Gotta Hold On Me |
| 5. Deep Red |
| 6. Sunset |
| 7. Glowin' |
| 8. Handbags And Gladrags |
| 9. Ha Ha |
| 10. Wang Dang Doodle |
| 11. Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah |
| 12. Guitar Army |
| 13. Sunset |
Product Description
CD Description
* Big Beat's previous Rationals compilation "Think Rational" delivered some long-overdue kudos to these seminal Michigan rockers. As promised, Big Beat are now proud to present the group's eponymous 1970 album in the same profusely annotated and illustrated manner: the first time these recordings have been legitimately reissued anywhere.
* After leaving erstwhile mentor Jeep Holland of A-Square Records, the Rationals continued with their exciting blend of rock and R&B, absorbing along the way the heavier influences of the scene surrounding the legendary Grande Ballroom in Detroit. The result was the classic 1969 single `Guitar Army' and a long overdue full album on the Crewe label, the soulful contents of which demonstrated the breadth of the group's talents.
* This Big Beat reissue adds the rare single versions of `Guitar Army' and `Sunset' plus two previously unissued tracks, including an amazing live-in-the-studio take of `Wang Dang Doodle'.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
The Rationals - S/T (Big Beat / Ace)
When, in 2009, Ace Records released The Rationals' compilation "Think Rational", there was considerable excitement amongst fans of Detroit rock, though it was tinged with a little disappointment. The 2009 collection compiled their classic late `60s singles, rarities and various unissued gems over two discs, but there was no sign of their acclaimed self-titled album issued on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Crewe label in 1970. Well, Ace have now rectified the oversight, and present the original nine-track album complete with four bonus cuts: the two single versions of "Guitar Army" and "Sunset", plus "Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah" and an astonishing 11 minute live-in-the-studio take of Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf's "Wang Dang Doodle".
The original album's reputation is well deserved. The mix of covers and their own material hangs together brilliantly, and even R&B staples like "Barefootin'" are freshened up with some properly fuzzy guitars. Original songs like "Deep Red" and "Ha Ha" show a band adept at soulful, futuristic rock and, of course, the infamous "Guitar Army" might have been the antithesis of John Sinclair and the MC5's literal call to arms, but it's just as powerful a musical statement, and as fine a slice of garage-punk as you'll find anywhere, including the Nuggets box. I can't claim to have been particularly au fait with The Rationals catalogue before I came across this fine collection, but now I'm a certified, card-carrying fan - and I've not even had a chance to rave about their fantastic version of "Wang Dang Doodle"...
When, in 2009, Ace Records released The Rationals' compilation "Think Rational", there was considerable excitement amongst fans of Detroit rock, though it was tinged with a little disappointment. The 2009 collection compiled their classic late `60s singles, rarities and various unissued gems over two discs, but there was no sign of their acclaimed self-titled album issued on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Crewe label in 1970. Well, Ace have now rectified the oversight, and present the original nine-track album complete with four bonus cuts: the two single versions of "Guitar Army" and "Sunset", plus "Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah" and an astonishing 11 minute live-in-the-studio take of Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf's "Wang Dang Doodle".
The original album's reputation is well deserved. The mix of covers and their own material hangs together brilliantly, and even R&B staples like "Barefootin'" are freshened up with some properly fuzzy guitars. Original songs like "Deep Red" and "Ha Ha" show a band adept at soulful, futuristic rock and, of course, the infamous "Guitar Army" might have been the antithesis of John Sinclair and the MC5's literal call to arms, but it's just as powerful a musical statement, and as fine a slice of garage-punk as you'll find anywhere, including the Nuggets box. I can't claim to have been particularly au fait with The Rationals catalogue before I came across this fine collection, but now I'm a certified, card-carrying fan - and I've not even had a chance to rave about their fantastic version of "Wang Dang Doodle"...
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Leicester Bangs Review (2011):
5 Dec 2011
The Rationals - S/T (Big Beat / Ace)
When, in 2009, Ace Records released The Rationals' compilation "Think Rational", there was considerable excitement amongst fans of Detroit rock, though it was tinged with a little disappointment. The 2009 collection compiled their classic late `60s singles, rarities and various unissued gems over two discs, but there was no sign of their acclaimed self-titled album issued on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Crewe label in 1970. Well, Ace have now rectified the oversight, and present the original nine-track album complete with four bonus cuts: the two single versions of "Guitar Army" and "Sunset", plus "Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah" and an astonishing 11 minute live-in-the-studio take of Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf's "Wang Dang Doodle".
The original album's reputation is well deserved. The mix of covers and their own material hangs together brilliantly, and even R&B staples like "Barefootin'" are freshened up with some properly fuzzy guitars. Original songs like "Deep Red" and "Ha Ha" show a band adept at soulful, futuristic rock and, of course, the infamous "Guitar Army" might have been the antithesis of John Sinclair and the MC5's literal call to arms, but it's just as powerful a musical statement, and as fine a slice of garage-punk as you'll find anywhere, including the Nuggets box. I can't claim to have been particularly au fait with The Rationals catalogue before I came across this fine collection, but now I'm a certified, card-carrying fan - and I've not even had a chance to rave about their fantastic version of "Wang Dang Doodle"...
When, in 2009, Ace Records released The Rationals' compilation "Think Rational", there was considerable excitement amongst fans of Detroit rock, though it was tinged with a little disappointment. The 2009 collection compiled their classic late `60s singles, rarities and various unissued gems over two discs, but there was no sign of their acclaimed self-titled album issued on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Crewe label in 1970. Well, Ace have now rectified the oversight, and present the original nine-track album complete with four bonus cuts: the two single versions of "Guitar Army" and "Sunset", plus "Zip-A-Dee Doo Dah" and an astonishing 11 minute live-in-the-studio take of Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf's "Wang Dang Doodle".
The original album's reputation is well deserved. The mix of covers and their own material hangs together brilliantly, and even R&B staples like "Barefootin'" are freshened up with some properly fuzzy guitars. Original songs like "Deep Red" and "Ha Ha" show a band adept at soulful, futuristic rock and, of course, the infamous "Guitar Army" might have been the antithesis of John Sinclair and the MC5's literal call to arms, but it's just as powerful a musical statement, and as fine a slice of garage-punk as you'll find anywhere, including the Nuggets box. I can't claim to have been particularly au fait with The Rationals catalogue before I came across this fine collection, but now I'm a certified, card-carrying fan - and I've not even had a chance to rave about their fantastic version of "Wang Dang Doodle"...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
The Holy Grail for Rationals fans!
9 Feb 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase
At long last, the legitimate release of The Rationals only album. The near legendary status of this record makes it hard to add anything to whats already been written about it over the years since it quickly came out and was cut out over 40 years ago. I owned the original (cut-out) album and enjoyed it for years, then bought the earlier unauthorized version with all the bonus tracks, which sounded good but was not quite the same. Here we have the original album in all its glory, plus 4 bonus tracks. A couple single versions of the album tracks, another thats circulated on bootlegs, and one track that says it was unreleased but I have it on Medium Rare, a Scott Morgan cd thats long out of print, which was a compilation of tracks from various sources.
If you like garage rock, this is the next step for home town bands - a mature yet fresh, somewhat innocent record that makes sense for them at the time. It's also got the musical interludes between tracks that not too many bands tried but to me has always been a part of The Rationals legacy. 3/4s of the Rationals are still alive and have tried reunions but too many years and miles have happened and Scott Morgan sings, or was singing in front of The Irrationals, when Big Beat released the 2 cd set Think Rational! a few years ago. Think Rational led to The Irrationals, tells you something about someone's feelings for the past.
I've lost your email Scott, so drop me a line with any comments you have about what I wrote here, and an awful lot of people are still waiting for you to come play the western side of Michigan. Maybe a triple threat bill with Dick Wagner & the Jim Cummings Band this summer in Kalamazoo and around?
If you like garage rock, this is the next step for home town bands - a mature yet fresh, somewhat innocent record that makes sense for them at the time. It's also got the musical interludes between tracks that not too many bands tried but to me has always been a part of The Rationals legacy. 3/4s of the Rationals are still alive and have tried reunions but too many years and miles have happened and Scott Morgan sings, or was singing in front of The Irrationals, when Big Beat released the 2 cd set Think Rational! a few years ago. Think Rational led to The Irrationals, tells you something about someone's feelings for the past.
I've lost your email Scott, so drop me a line with any comments you have about what I wrote here, and an awful lot of people are still waiting for you to come play the western side of Michigan. Maybe a triple threat bill with Dick Wagner & the Jim Cummings Band this summer in Kalamazoo and around?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Rationals' LP released legitimately at long last!
14 April 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase
Hailing from Ann Arbor, MI, home of so many great rock bands, The Rationals recorded several singles on Jeep Holland's A-Square label, which, along with many unreleased sides were collected on Big Beat's 2009 2-cd set "Think Rational." But until now, the bands' sole self-titled LP was available only on the bootleg collection "Anthology." At long last the 1970 album now sees legitimate light of day. Unlike the bands earlier singles, "Rationals" is much heavier and is much more symbolic of the band's live shows. This release contains the 9 songs from the original album, as well as the mono mixes of the single, "Guitar Army" c/w "Sunset." Originally released in 1969 as the first offering on the Genesis label, "Guitar Army" was edited down to a radio friendly 2 minute 48 second run time, but the b-side retained a beefy 5 minute 38 seconds of classic Michigan rock and roll. The cd also contains an 11 minute 24 second "live in the studio" take on Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle" which was a leftover from the A-Square period. Scott Morgan's vocals and Steve Correll's guitar work standout throughout. With the release of this cd, The Rationals complete catalog is at long last available to lovers of Michigan psychedelic rock and stands equal to the work of bands such as The MC5 and The Stooges. With the 3 cds of Rationals music on Big Beat and the 1995 Total Energy live release, "Temptation 'bout to get me" collectors can now possess all the official releases of The Rationals as well as numerous previously unreleased tracks. "The Rationals" contains a mix of original and cover material done equally well. With a run time of 61 minutes the cd also offers good value. The band's versatility stands out, as they move easily from the Motown sound of "Temptation 'Bout To Get Me" to the gritty, guitar driven "Guitar Army" from the commercial sound of "Barefootin'" to the roaring "Sunset." Many, many thanks to Alec Palao and Big Beat Records UK for making the entire studio output of this explosive band available. The Total Energy live album was for many years the only document of their work, and while well intentioned, the sound quality of that piece is certainly lacking. Thankfully that is not the case of "The Rationals" or "Think Rational." Do yourself a favor and pick these recordings up lest the bands catalog once more disappear into rock and roll purgatory.
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