The Bobby Bloom Album was the first album for composer, producer and singer Bobby Bloom. It charted in late 1970 through to early 1971. It contained his hits "Montego Bay" and "Heavy Makes You Happy". Background According to Billboard in the July 25, 1970 issue, a promotion had been launched by the Robert Stigwood organization and MGM for "Montego Bay", Bobby Bloom's first release for the label as well as his album. A promo film produced by Gene Weed for television stations around the country was to be made. MGM's West Coast production manager Rick Sidoti was accompanying Bloom on a tour of the West Coast radio stations, one stops and record dealers to promote the single and album.Billboard, July 25, 1970 - Page 3 General News, MGM, Stigwood In Bloom Drive
The album was produced by Jeff BarryRecord World, August 29, 1970 - Page 10 Record World Pick Hits, Album Reviews, The Bobby Bloom Album and released on L&R LR-1035 in 1970.Billboard, August 22, 1970 - Page 87 advertisement The L&R label was founded by Joey Levine and Artie Resnick. The L&R label had begun as Earth Records in 1969 but had to change to L&R due to legal action from Motown Records as the Rare Earth label was owned by them. The L&R is a representation of the initials of Joey Levine and Artie Resnik.Cash Box, July 18, 1970 - Page 12 MGM, Stigwood Team For Bloom PromotionBoth Sides Now Publications - The Stereo Singles Project, Part 4 MGM & Related Labels Stereo 45s (1968-70) By Mike Callahan, Dave Edwards, Patrice Eyries, Randy Watts, and Tim Neely, L&R/MGM
Geno Washington covered "Give 'Em a Hand" which was the B side of his single, "Dirty Dirty" which was released in 1972 on Pye.45Cat - Geno Washington - Discography, Geno Washington, A: Dirty, Dirty, B: Give 'Em A Hand Washington also recorded "Careful Not to Break the Spell" which was unreleased until the late 1990s.45 Worlds - CD Album, Artist: Geno Washington And The Ram Jam Band, Title: My Bombers My Dexy's My Highs - The Sixties Studio Sessions
Reception The album was reviewed in the August 29 issue of Record World. One of the Pick Hits, the reviewer began with "A deep and manly voice to reckon with here". Noting Bloom's and Barry's playing of guitars, piano and drums, the reviewer said there were "all sorts of hits on the album" and that it was "some achievement".Record World, August 29, 1970 - Page 10 Record World Pick Hits, Album Reviews, The Bobby Bloom Album
Reviewed by Franko of the What Frank is Listening to blog in September 2014, the picks were "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)", "Oh, I Wish You Knew", "Give 'Em a Hand" and "Montego Bay".What Frank is Listening To, September 14, 2014 - BOBBY BLOOM – The Bobby Bloom Album – (L&R Records) – 1970
Chart performance The album made its debut at no. 130 on the Billboard Top LPs chart for the week ending November 28.Billboard, November 28, 1970 - Page 64 This Week 130, Last Week _, Weeks on chart 1 It peaked at no. 126.Billboard, December 12, 1970 - Page 76 Billboard TOP LPs, POSITIONS 106-200, This Week 186, Last Week 126, Weeks on chart 3Billboard - WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 1970, 126
The album made its debut at no. 99 on the Cash Box Top 100 Albums chart for the week of December 5, 1970.Cash Box, December 5, 1970 - Page 31 Cash Box TOP 100 Albums, 99, _ It reached its peak position of no. 95 on the week of December 19. The following week it was at no. 101 in the Cash Box Top 100 Albums 101 to 140 chart.Cash Box, December 19, 1970 - Page 29 Cash Box TOP 100 Albums 95, 97Cash Box, December 26, 1970 - Page 104 Cash Box TOP 100 Albums 101 to 140, 101 It remained in the 101 to 140 chart until February 6.Cash Box, February 6, 1971 - Page 32 Cash Box TOP 100 Albums 101 to 140, 122 Cash Box, February 13, 1971 - Page 34 Cash Box TOP 100 Albums 101 to 140
Track listing Side one "Careful Not to Break the Spell" - 5:30 "Heavy Makes You Happy" - 3:58 "Try a Little Harder" - 3:03 "Oh I Wish You Knew" - 2:50 "Fanta" - 2:07 "Heidi" - 3:45
Side two "This Thing I've Gotten Into" - 2:30 "A Little on the Heavy Side" - 2:54 "Brighten Your Flame" - 2:43 "Give 'Em a Hand" - 4:12 "Montego Bay" - 2:53
Personnel Producer: Jeff Barry Percussion and Lots of the Guitar, Piano, and Drums: Bobby Bloom, Jeff Barry Lead Guitar: Jimmy Calvert Recording Engineer: Art Polhemus Uncredited Brill Building Musicians - Instrumentation
References
External links Discogs - Bobby Bloom – The Bobby Bloom Album