Warning: Repeated, Obsessive Listening May Occur
loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 04/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally one of the best-kept secrets of mid-70's rock---not punk mind you---but good old rock is available on CD. Since getting this just-released and remastered Downtown Flyers, I can't stop listening to the CD. Streetwalkers set sail right after Family threw in the towel, but long-time bandmates and songsmiths Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney decided to team up for a new venture. Along with Bob Tench, a superb guitarist and vocalist who was banished from the Jeff Beck group for being more talented than the band leader, and Nicko McBain (who would later gain more fame as the drummer for Iron Maiden) and bassist Jon Plotel, Chapman and Whitney crafted two gems, Red Card and Downtown Flyers, plus several other very good recordings. The band sparkles throughout this session. The title track will quickly transport you back to the mid-70s, with its somewhat cheesy voice box that harkens to Peter Frampton. I think, however, it may be the weakest track. Toenail Draggin', Raingame, Crawfish, and Walking on Waters all showcase the power of the band, and show that it was more than just power but the work of an ensemble. Chapman is in fine form throughout, growling and rumbling at times, but never out of control. The twin guitars of Whitney and Tench meld seamlessly. Both deliver the goods without getting into any sort of musical melee; moreover, each plays to his own strengths with Tench torching the session with some great bluesy rifts and Whitney showcasing a touch on the slide guitar that will surprise many. Tench also provides some great, soulful second vocals that mesh surprisingly well with Chappo's unique delivery. The quite cuts such as Miller and Gypsy Moon recall the gentleness of Family classics such as My Friend the Sun and Children. But the tour de force here is the nine-minute epic Burn It Down, as fine a song as any to emerge from the last half of the `70s. The crisp, clean guitar work, solid rhythm section, sparkling keyboards, and stellar vocals meld into a smoldering anthem depicting the frustration and rage of the working poor, tapping into the same primal energy that ironically fueled the rise of punk, which drove the final stake through the heart of Streetwalkers.Updated liner notes are a bonus, especially because Charlie Whitney is showcased. His views about Streetwalkers rise and fall are candid and insightful. I would recommend this CD for those new to Streetwalkers; I'm sure die-hard fans of Streetwalkers, Family, Roger Chapman, and Charlie Whitney do not need my recommendation because getting the CD is a no-brainer."
Solid blues-rock
allismile0 | Washington, DC | 06/16/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"In my view Downtown Flyers is not up to par with other albums that I have heard from the Chapman/ Whitney colaboration. I have heard all of their Family albums which I think are all great in their own way as well as the follow up to this album, Red Card, which I think is more energetic as well as imaginitive- harking back to their final album as The Family- It's only a Movie.
That certainly isn't to say that there aren't some fine moments throughout the album. Gypsy Moon stands out as a lovely ballad and Burn it Down and Toenail Draggin' have a great deal of raw energy to them. The opening track has a crunchy blues riff with that wierd vocal box sound and hand claps to a funky rythm somewhat reminiscent of Miles Davis's On The Corner. But a lot of the time I find the instrumentation and playing just a little predictable and not up to par with what I have heard them do.
Chapman has one of the most unique voices in rock history and I believe the reason why they formed the Streetwalkers was to focus more on the bluesy expression of his voice and to move away from the more experimental side that was The Family- but the end result is a more "traditional" blues-rock album that doesnt't push the bounderies much (which robs them of some of their unique sound. Of course with all that said he still proves on this album that he has one of the most expressive and powerful voices around.
I gave Downtown Flyers only three stars because I prefer their more experimental edge and I don't think that the song writing was as strong as other things they have done. Overall, I think this is a really good album but there are some amazing albums that they did that I would recommend before this one."
Well what can I say?
El Teye | AUSTIN, TX United States | 10/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After seeing the Streetwalkers live for only half a song on Dutch TV in 1976, I became a big fan. Bought their vinyl as it became available, and went to see them in Paradiso (Amsterdam) (I designed the poster, and thus got in free...).
All my vinyl got lost when I emigrated.
So I bought the vinyl to Downtown Flyers again on eBay, bought a record player, and transferred it to cd.
Well you don't have to do all that: here's the cd ready to play.
This is of all the 70's rock one of the very best bands, and to my ears, Downtown Flyers is their best album. The sound of the twin guitars running through MXR phasers and big amps (yes the big Marshalls of course, but in Paradiso Bob Tench used Ampeg solid state slaves to "amplify" his dual Marshall full stacks (?!?!?) is so unapologetically DATED, it makes you want to break out the bell bottom jeans and big boots.
You can hear the sweat: all cuts on this studio album have more energy than the same songs on their live album!
And yet, with Gypsy Moon and Miller, the Streetwalkers on this album recorded two of the best ballads of the decade.
Snap this (and Red Card) up before it goes out of print!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1