CD Review

If I had to list my 100 all time favorite recordings, They Only Come Out At Night would be on it, but mainly for two songs, “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.”

When I found out Mobile Fidelity was reissuing this in SACD format I wanted it badly, anticipating a clear and crisp reproduction of the coveted original. But I was a little disappointed when the sound was not what I expected, and I had to keep turning up the volume. Then when I stood in the center of the room, I heard some separation, and when I stood back in the middle of the room, I noticed there was hardly anything coming from my subwoofer, which is normally very effective. What I determined rather quickly was that the bottom end was nearly non-existent. Its there, but it lingers faintly in the background. But regardless of my disappointment in the overall reissuing process, this is still a classic album, with Edgar Winter and his band in their prime.

“Undercover Man” and “Rock 'N' Roll Boogie Woogie Blues” are steeped heavily in the blues and prove repeatedly why Winter always reached back to the blues as a starting point in a composition. Besides the most memorable hit singles like the aforementioned “Free Ride” and “Frankenstein,” there are more than a few overlooked gems this reissue brings back to life.

Rick Derringer’s role here should not be understated either. His contributions as a producer and guest musician were a key to its success, obviously enough to make him a full time member on the next release. And Ronnie Montrose was an incredible guitarist as well, and would go on to greatness a few years later as a solo artist. Looking back now, what Winter had was the beginnings of a super group. This is an essential addition to any rock album collection.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck