The flurry of musical chair one-offs surfacing seems unstoppable in this age
of let’s-see-how-deep-we-can-go-to-uncover-stuff-you-thought-was-lost-forever…Of
course, if it’s just now getting to CD, you have to wonder how long it
will be before iTunes scoops it up (is there a waiting list?). In the case of
the Natural Gas project, it’s a no-brainer. The CD does
an adequate job at recapturing musicians from famous bands who inadvertently
pooled their resources together to see what would happen. It probably didn’t
hurt to have Felix Pappalardi turning the knobs either.
The story of Natural Gas is like a million other chance meetings
of the minds. In or around 1975, Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland accompanied
one-time Uriah Heep/Colosseum bassist Mark Clarke for a weekend to the farm
of Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley. A jam evolved, which included guitarist
Clem Clempson (then with Humble Pie), and the next morning Molland, Clarke and
Shirley, who had just left the comfy confines of the Pie, decided to form Natural
Gas, a name credited to the drummer. The three briefly played with keyboardist
Dave Kafinetti (aka “Viv Savage” of Spinal Tap, as well as a founding
member of progressive rock band Rare Bird), but replaced him for the recording
of the album with Peter Wood, who, among other accomplishments, co-wrote “Year
Of The Cat” with Al Stewart.
With each member kicking in songs and ideas, Natural Gas recorded
their self-titled debut in Los Angeles. Pappalardi edged former Beatles road
manager and confidant Mal Evans out of the job of producing the record (Evans
was shot and killed by a Los Angeles police officer on January 5, 1976). A clutch
of songs filled with heart and soul in their corner, Natural Gas
unwittingly became one of the first supergroups of their time to make an album
meant for the masses. The 10 songs, plus three bonus tracks, making their first
appearance on CD trace the initial stirrings and potential of a band that imploded
under the weight of past alliances (internally) and shifting allegiances (externally).
Joey Molland had contributed plenty of lively tunes to the Badfinger arsenal,
but they were largely overshadowed by the hits of Pete Ham. Natural
Gas provided an outlet for the guitarist, who wrote or co-wrote six
of the album’s songs. It begins with “Little Darlin’,”
a mid-tempo rocker with a solid groove that opens the record. Moving forward,
the mood changes and Molland nears an unnecessary nosedive on “Once Again,
A Love Sing.” He regains his footing for the edgier “I’ve
Been Waitin’” before zeroing in with the poignant “Dark Cloud.”
“I Believe In Love,” which could have easily been an outtake from
Badfinger’s No Dice or Straight Up is
a true group effort, co-written by Molland and Shirley, sung by Clarke and rounded
out by Wood’s exquisite piano, a force through the record. User-friendly
melodies flow freely from Clarke on “You Can Do It” and “The
Right Time.” But when the bassist harmonizes with Molland on “Miracle
Mile,” it’s like slipping on a comfortable pair of slippers.
The bonus tracks offer a satisfying glimpse into the raw talent of Natural
Gas. A rehearsal of Molland’s “Christmas Song” captures
a rough and ready vocal, some surprisingly stinging guitar work and a grittier
basic track Pappalardi failed to build on for the final mix. The same could
almost be said for the demos of “Little Darlin” and “Christmas
Song,” which tap into yet another dimension that might have gives the
record more depth.
Things fell into place for Natural Gas rather easily. The
album was well-received upon its release and a supporting tour with Peter Frampton,
who had just released Frampton Comes Alive, offered unparalleled
exposure. But for reasons unclear, Natural Gas sputtered out
of…well…gas! Molland returned to Badfinger; Shirley worked
with Fastway, re-established Humble Pie for a few years (he still owns the name),
and presently anchors time for Deborah Bonham, the little sister of Led Zeppelin
drummer John Bonham; Clarke has played with Rainbow, Billy Squier, Leslie West
and, most recently, Davy Jones; and Peter Wood worked with Pink Floyd, Roger
Waters and Bob Dylan before passing away in December 1993.
Natural Gas is a drop in the pond, a moment when musicians
from different worlds combined their chops to create a record that accuratley
defined the union. Like so many little lost gems from days gone by, this one
got brushed under the rug for safekeeping. But you know how these things work
out — an industrious individual saw to its resurrection, its rediscovery,
and here we are, instantly transported back to the mid 70s. Some of the participants
are gone, but the magic that coalesced between the individuals involved lives
on forever.
~ Shawn Perry
