Fire Up is an album by Merl Saunders. It was released in May 1973 through Fantasy Records. The self-produced album features many high-profile collaborators, including Grateful Dead members Jerry Garcia and Bill Kreutzmann alongside Creedence Clearwater Revival guitarist Tom Fogerty. It peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Six of the album's eight tracks were included on the compilation Fire Up Plus in 1992.
Background
Despite meeting resistance from his label over the album's lyrical content, Garcia encouraged Saunders to write the way he wanted:
Reception
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Eugene Chadbourne stated the album "emphasizes [Saunders'] clever songwriting", listing "Soul Roach" and "Chock-Lite Pudding" as highlights.
Track listing
Personnel
Merl Saunders – electric piano, organ, ARP (flute), ARP (band), clavinet Jerry Garcia – guitar, vocals Tom Fogerty – rhythm guitar John Kahn – bass Bill Vitt – drums Gaylord Birch – congas, drums, tambourine Chuck Rainey – bass Walter Hawkins and sisters (Tramaine, Lynette, and Freddie) – background vocals Mike Howell – guitar, rhythm guitar Ken Nash – percussion Christopher Parker – drums Bill Somers – percussion Bill Kreutzmann – drums
References