Detroit - Detroit (1971)

Produced by Bob Ezrin and recorded in Toronto, Detroit was a fine example of the "High Energy" bands coming out of Michigan, like MC5, the Stooges or Frost. Formed by Mitch Ryder and his stalwart drummer John Badanjek, with Phillips and Cook (both ex Catfish), Steve Hunter and Dirty Ed, their music was a powerful mix of hard rock and Rhythm and Blues. Their material ranged from original cuts penned by Ryder and Badanjek, to covers of Let It Rock, Lou Reed's Rock 'n' Roll and Wilson Pickett's I Found A Love. Erzin and Steve Hunter would later work with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper.

Great rock n' roll album, featuring the classic vocals of Mitch Ryder and the killer guitar of Steve Hunter. Great cover versions of "Rock and Roll","Gimme Shelter" and "Let It Rock" and great originals"I Found a Love". Detroit was a spinoff of famous rock group, The Detroit Wheels. This revised version of that band was formed by Mitch Ryder as a successor to The Wheels in 1970. The only original Wheel in the group was the drummer John Badanjek; other members were guitarists Steve Hunter and Brett Tuggle, organist Harry Phillips, and bassist W.R. Cooke. A single album was released by this grouping, a 1971 self-titled LP issued on Paramount Records. They had a hit with their version of the Lou Reed - penned song "Rock & Roll", which Reed liked enough to ask Steve Hunter to join his backing band. Ryder quit the group because of voice problems in 1972, and Detroit vocalist Rusty Day took over his spot; without Ryder, the group floundered, and broke up in 1974.

 

01.  "Long Neck Goose"  (Ezrin, Ryder)  - 3:13

02.  "Is It You (Or Is It Me)"  (Bee, Ryder)  - 4:05

03.  "Box of Old Roses"  (Cooke)  - 2:45

04.  "It Ain't Easy"  (Davies)  - 3:22

05.  "Rock & Roll"  (Reed)  - 6:10

06.  "Let It Rock"  (Anderson)  - 3:25

07.  "Drink"  (Manko, Optner)  - 5:41

08.  "Gimme Shelter"  (Jagger) -  4:58

Release:  1972

Recorded at:  Manta Sound, Toronto, Canada

Label:  Paramount Records

Genre:  Hard Rock

Length:  35:51

Producer:  Bob Ezrin

Personnel

Mitch Ryder - vocals

John Badanjek - drums

Steve Hunter - guitar

Brett Tuggle - guitar

W.R. Cooke - bass

Harry Phillips - organ