Search - Silver :: Silver (24bt)

A "Wham Bam" Hidden Gem In 1976!

D. R. Saxton | Bemus Pt. N.Y. USA | 02/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard the song "Wham Bam" in the summer of 1976, I was unloading all my junk into my dorm room at Fredonia State College. It was a hot August afternoon and I was strung out. I took a five minute break and the Buffalo radio station that was playing in the dorm said they had a brand new song just added to their play list. (Then they said the title.) Oh man, being a fan of HEART and other groups like Blue Oyster Cult, I had to laugh at the ridiculous title and lyrics of this new hit. And, whoever heard of Silver???



I dismissed the song and went back to work. However, like some things you would never admit to, I started finding myself getting this Top 40 gem stuck in my head every time I heard the song! I would never admit to the guys that I liked the song, but it really grew on me. I went to buy the 45 at the local record store but they only had the album and it was on sale for a whomping price of $3.99. So, I bought it and snuck it into my room.



To my dismay, the album was nothing like the hit. It was actually a mature, easy-listening cross between C,S,and N, America, the Eagles (Bernie Leadon material) and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Ironically, a guy named Tom Leadon was in the group. (Can anyone tell me if that is Bernie's brother?) Also, veteran rocker, John Batdorf of "Batdorf and Rodney" was the leader of the band. Finally, Brent Mydland, the keyboardist, soon left to play with the GRATEFUL DEAD!! YES! The DEAD!! Unfortunately he died in 1990.



"Wham Bam" was the only Top 40 hit for SILVER but the album could have been worthy of a couple other hits. "Right on Time" is a mid-tempo pop song with beautiful harmonies. It should have been a follow up hit. Overall, this is a poppy, semi-mellow, California rock sounding album in the mold of songs such as "My Man", by the Eagles and some of Dan Fogelberg's early stuff: "More Than Ever" from his first album. It is a real sleeper but a guilty pleasure to listen to when you are in the car or alone on a rainyday."

Well Worth Tracking Down A Copy

J. Whitney | New York | 06/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The group Silver will always be remembered for their one hit "Wham Bam", however, as the previous reviewer wrote the rest of this album is pretty darn good. I spent alot of time and money to locate a copy of the remastered CD and since I have such a huge CD collection I tend to buy, listen and forget what I have. So yesterday I pulled this little time capsule from the mid 1970's out of my collection and enjoyed hitting the replay button as the song "Climbing" written by Brent Mydland really soothed my ears. The lyrics and his keyboard artistry are amazing and it is a song everyone can relate to at some point in their lives when you wonder if you are living in limbo while trying to climb up to the next rung on lifes ladder. Of course "Wham Bam" still sounds as great as it did in the Bicentennial year of 1976."

West coast lite

J.L. Smith | Detroit | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1976 I had the opportunity to see this band warm up for (if memory serves me right) Hall & Oats. Regardless of who the headliner was, Silver was outstanding live. I immediately went out and purchased their L.P.

I was not disappointed.

Imagine if you will, The Byrds meet Poco and you've got an idea of the sound found here.

Yes by critical measure, it's Southern California folk/rock lite.

But,if you enjoy really well executed music,thoughtful lyrical content, and 5 part harmonies to boot,then this is the ticket.

Don't be turned off by the marginal "Hit" Wham Bam. It is the weakest track on this slice of tasteful pop. Tho it holds up well, 30 plus years later with it's contemporaries of the day, and better than most.

I am reviewing the "Magic Records" digipak release out of France.

It is one of those discs that you can put on and go about your business. But it really shines when you put on the "cans" tune out the rest of the hectic world & enjoy this beautifully produced bit of West Coast nostalgia.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy this genre.

"