Truck is the debut album by Canadian jazz rock band, Truck. Consisting of original compositions, it was produced by Dennis R. Murphy of Sundog Productions. Released in early 1973 on the Capitol label, it made the Canadian charts and hung around for about a month and a half.
Background The possibility of Truck releasing an album was noted in an issue of RPM Weekly dated May 6, 1972.RPM Weekly, Volume 17 No. 12 May 6, 1972 - Page 5 SUNDOG PRODUCTIONS SIGN TRUCK At the end of June was when they were to start work on the album with producer Dennis Murphy.RPM Weekly, Volume 17 No. 18 - Page 2 TRUCK TO HEADLINE "LONDON DAY"
According to the January 6, 1973 issue of Billboard, Truck's debut album was to be released by Capitol in mid-January.Billboard, January 6, 1973 - Page 31 From The Music Capitals of the World, TORONTO From early February to early March the group was taken off the road by their bosses at Magic Management to work on various aspects of their performances as well as the preparation for the heavy schedule coinciding with the release of the album.Cash Box, February 3, 1973 - Page 45 Truck Stops P.A.'s For Sessions
When the album was released, the line-up included Graham Lear on drums and percussion, Larry Ernewein on bass and backing vocals, Bill Usher on congas and bongos, Joey Miquelon (aka Joey Robertscitizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - MOTHERLODE) on guitar, Brian Wray on keyboards, flute and backing vocals, Michael Curtis on lead vocals, flute, acoustic guitar and percussion and James Roberts on tenor saxophone, flute and organ.Discogs - Truck (9) – Truck The opening track on the album, "Rollin's On My Mind" was co-written by Graham Lear with keyboardist Brian Wray.The Review, November 29, 2013 - VINTAGE VINYL – TRUCKDiscogs - Truck (9) – Truck The rest of the tracks on Side A were "Rain", "People", "Can't Wait (Until Tomorrow)", "Please Don't Come Shining Your Light" and on Side B, "Sing a Song", "Get it Together", "Take a Look", "Ernie" and "Another Dream".citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Truck - ST, Information/Write-up The rest of the tracks were composed by members of the group.Discogs - Truck (9) – Truck
A press party scheduled for April was organized by Capitol Records to commemorate the release of the album.RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 10 April 21, 1973 - Page 5 TRUCK TO PLAY JAMES BAY BENEFIT
The album includes the songs from the two singles, "Rain", "Get It Together" and "Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow", except for "Canada".The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - TRUCKDiscogs - Truck (9) – Truck
Airplay and charting By April 7th, it had been getting airplay on Harvey MacKinnon's list at DAL Radio in Halifax, and Charlotte Baxter's list at Radio Erindale in Clarkson.RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 8 April 7, 1973 - Page 26 The Programmers CAMPUS ADDITIONS, CAMPUS continued from page 25 The following week, it was on Steve Shacher's play list at Radio Brockist in Catharines.RPM The Programmers WEEKLY Volume 19 No. 9 April 14, 1973 - Page 29 The Programmers CAMPUS ADDITIONS LPs RADIO BROCKIST. CATHARINES For the week of April 21, the album was still on Charlotte Baxter's list. It was also when the album made its first appearance in the charts. It entered the RPM100 Albums Chart at #100.RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 10 April 21, 1973 - Page 26 The Programmers CAMPUS ADDITIONS, RADIO ERINDALE/CLARKSONRPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 10 April 21, 1973 - Page 15 RPM100 ALBUMS, April 21, 1973 The following week it was at #98.RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 11 April 28, 1973 - Page 11 RPM100 ALBUMS, April 21, 1973 By May 26, having spent six weeks in the charts it was at #85.RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 15 May 26, 1973 - RPM100 ALBUMS, May 26, 1973
Track listing + Truck , Capitol ST 6388 No. Track Composer Time Notes A1 "Rollin's On My Mind" Brian Wray, Graham Lear 3:02 A2 "Rain" Michael Curtis 3:21 A3 "People" Truck 3:32 A4 "Can't Wait (Until Tomorrow)" James Roberts 3:50 Lead vocals James Roberts A5 "Please Don't Come Shining Your Light" Joey Miquelon, Michael Curtis 6:00 B1 "Sing a Song" Brian Wray, Larry Ernewein, Michael Curtis 3:06 B2 "Get It Together" Brian Wray 2:48 B3 "Take a Look" Brian Wray, Michael Curtis 7:00 B4 "Ernie" Larry Ernewein 1:17 B5 "Another Dream" Michael Curtis 3:50
Personnel + Group personnel Name Role Notes Michael Curtis Lead vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, percussion Larry Ernewein Bass, backing vocals Graham Lear Drums, percussion Joey Miquelon Electric Guitar James Roberts Tenor saxophone, flute, organ Bill Usher congas, bongos Brian Wray Keyboards, flute, backing vocals
+ Non musical personnel Name Role Notes Don Dunsmore Protography John Martin Album cover design (for Slic-Brothers, Canada) Dennis R. Murphy Producer A Sundog Production Phil Sheridan Engineer Paul White A&R
References
External links Discogs - Truck (9) – Truck