Firefall manages to cover some of their favorites from the 1970s on Friends And Family. In picking these 13 songs, the group celebrates “the family” of band members — Rick Roberts, Mark Andes, Michael Clarke, Larry Burnett, David Muse, and the only original member left in the fold, Jock Bartley.
The sly switching of guitar parts in “Long Train Running” tricks the listener into not realizing that it is the famous Doobie Brothers’ tune we are into until the second guitar begins the iconic chord sequence well into the intro. The addition of Jim Waddell’s saxophone is another nice surprise on this opener.
A flute-led remake of Heart’s “What About Love” falls short, though this version highlights new guitar parts from Heart’s original guitarist Howard Leese. Firefall offers another nod to Mark Andes presenting a near-perfect cover of Spirit’s “I Got A Line On You.” Andes played in both Spirit and Heart.
And at the near end of Friends And Family, it sounds as if the band is having more fun than anyone should be allowed, covering Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” The Band’s “Chest Fever,” and Gram Parson’s “Ooh Las Vegas.” Firefall’s long history and sure place in 70s soft rock surely deserves to celebrate their Friends And Family.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
