Description
Ride On is the third album by the American folk-rock combo God Unlimited, released on GIA Records in 1969. The album was recorded by Jack Miller at Audio Recorders in Phoenix, Arizona; with Robert J. Batastini producing. Vocals arranged by Tom Belt. All songs written by Tom Belt.
Featuring Sherri Willman on vocals and tambourine, Helen Krvavica on vocals and claves, and Jan Ward on vocals and cowbell, backed by Kaaren Freeman on piano, guitar, tambourine, and vocals; Tom Belt on guitar, saxophone, and recorder; George Summers on acoustic and electric guitars, as well as twelve-string guitar; Joe Geare on electric bass, harmonica, and vocals; and Todd Sorenson on drums, congas, triangle, and vocals.
By the time of their second album the group was defined to eight or so members, looking just lovely in their mod ‘60s clothing, crosses and peace signs. Ride On contains God Unlimited’s loudest song: the seven-minute title track. It’s a driving hard rock depiction of the crowds mocking Jesus, with lengthy solos for fuzzed guitar, drums and saxophone. «Do You Want To Be Free» and «Universal Rhythm» also have good bits of electric guitar soloing amidst the tempo changes. Many fine moody atmospheric pieces: soft psychy guitars enhance the hypnotic «Clouds Spinning» (which includes a reference to ‘MacArthur Park’); a solemn recorder gives «Black The Night» the enchantment of a distant foghorn on a calm night. «Jan’s Song» is an intensely mournful slow bluesy piece – that passionately sung cry of “God damn those men who killed my son!” certainly perks up the ears, the context being that of empathizing with a woman who’s lost her child in a war. Many consider this to be the group’s best album. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Open Up Your Heart” (Solo: George) – 2:47
A2. “Son Come Down” (Solo: Jan, George, Sherri) – 2:35
A3. “Ride On” – 7:30
A4. “Alleluia” – 2:37
A5. “Clouds Spinning” (Solo: Sherri, George) – 4:15
Side Two
B1. “Do You Want To Be Free?” (Solo: Sherri) – 3:55
B2. “Black The Night” (Solo: George, Tom) – 5:25
B3. “Jan’s Song” (Solo: Jan) – 3:57
B4. “Universal Rhythm” – 3:37
B5. “Break Of Day” – 3:10
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