Search - Dreams :: Dreams/Imagine My Surprise

Maybe the most underappreciated band in history

M. Brant | Mountain Lakes, NJ | 07/16/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

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Dreams, their eponymous first album deserves much more attention than it ever received. While not as good as a live performance (Literally for decades I've been searching for a recording of one)it is good and keeps the interest for multiple plays. Imagine My Surprise was well titled - I was certainly surprised by how it left me flat.



The real reason this band still deserves attention is the levels of success its members went on to achieve. It wouldn't be a stretch to say Dreams deserved the title 'Supergroup' as much or more than Blind Faith or Traffic.



Billy Cobham Jr. on drums

The Brecker Brothers

John Abercrombie - guitar

Steve Cropper - Guitar

Will Lee - bass (David Letterman's band)

Don Grolnick- piano



Jeff Kent went on to be better known as a composer,but he, Doug Lubahn, Barry Rogers,and Robert Mann went on to have distinguished careers as studio musicians.



I'd pay to see these artists perform together. Actually, I did.



I was one of the lucky few who had the privilege of seeing Dreams perform live. It was December, 1070, at the Fillmore East. Dreams opened, followed by the Allman Brothers Band (with Duane), and Canned Heat. I still think of this as the best show I'd ever attended and Dreams was MAJORLY responsible.



It is hard to understand why the band never achieved success. As the prior reviewer stated, they certainly were not promoted, and the records never captured the talent and intensity of the band. They were difficult to categorize: not really rock, or jazz, or blues but all of those. I think they were just ahead of their time.



I consider Dreams, along with Al Kooper's Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and Tower of Power as the top tier in horns-based Rock bands.



Sorry Chicago and the other Blood, Sweat, and Tears, you are just too 'pop' for me.





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