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Seatrain were an American rock band active from 1969 to 1973.
The Marblehead Messenger was the third album from Seatrain, and the second with the lineup of Peter Rowan (guitar/vocals), Lloyd Baskin (keyboards/vocals), Richard Greene (fiddle), Andy Kulberg (bass/flute) and Larry Atamanuik (drums/percussion), plus lyricist Jim Roberts. Again produced by George Martin, it followed in the same style as its predecessor, but was no where near as successful. The reason why is probably simply because it did not have as many memorable songs. Nevertheless it did have a consistent sound throughout. The songwriting was mostly by Kulberg and Roberts together, though Rowan did contribute three of his own compositions (one of which, "Mississippi Moon", would later be covered by Jerry Garcia on his Compliments album). Strangely, it also included a new version of "As I Lay Losing" from their debut album, renamed "Losing All The Years".After its release both Rowan and Greene left to join bluegrass supergroup Muleskinner, and Roberts and Atamanuik soon departed too, leaving Kulberg (the only founding member left) to reform the band for their next album.
Seatrain (1970) <|> Watch (1973)
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Seatrain were an American rock band active from 1969 to 1973.
Seatrain had risen from the ashes of The Blues Project, and released a fantastic self-titled album in 1969. However their original lineup did not last, leading to a brief period of temporary members coming and going (including singer Red Shepherd, drummers Bobby Moses and Billy Williams, and guitarists Teddy Irwin and Elliott Randal). By the time of their second album, they had settled on a strong new lineup - Peter Rowan (guitar/vocals), Lloyd Baskin (keyboards/vocals), Andy Kulberg (bass/flute), Richard Greene (violin) and Larry Atamanuik (drums). Jim Roberts was still on board as the group's dedicated lyricist. Kulberg and Greene were the only original members, and Kulberg was the only one left who used to be in the Blues Project. Newcomer Peter Rowan had previously been in psychedelic rock band Earth Opera, but his real background was in folk and bluegrass.
The new Seatrain had a new sound, which their new album showcased, produced by George Martin in his first post-Beatles work (confusingly, it was another self-titled record, but this time Seatrain rather than Sea Train). Their sound moved away from progressive rock filled with jazz and classical influences, and went in the direction of a more concise, commercial sound, with a bit more roots thrown in (violinist Richard Greene was obviously enjoing having Rowan on board). However they didn't completely disavow their old sound, as there was still a great deal of complex, sophisticated song structures and interesting fusions. The instrumental focus was fully on Greene's violin, often used with wah and fuzz effects. The vocals were shared by Rowan and Baskin, both of whom proved to be very strong singers, and most of the original songs were written by the Kulberg/Roberts team.
The songs themselves were not all originals, with covers including Lowell George's "Willin'" (actually pre-dating the first Little Feat version), the traditional "Sally Goodin" and Ervin T. Rouse's "Orange Blossom Special" (the latter two really letting Greene show off his bluegrass skills). From his Earth Opera days, Rowan brought "Home To You" which was remade, and the band also re-did "Out Where The Hills", originally from their first album.
The album actually had a surprise minor hit - "13 Questions" reached #49 on the singles charts.
Sea Train (1969) <|> The Marblehead Messenger (1971)
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Seatrain were an American rock band active from 1969 to 1973.
The original lineup of Seatrain was John Gregory (lead vocals/guitar), Richard Greene (fiddle), Andy Kulberg (bass/flute), Don Kretmar (sax/bass), Roy Blumenfeld (drums/percussion) and Jim Roberts (lyrics). Though Sea Train is seen as their debut, they had actually already released one album by 1969 - Planned Obsolescence had been put out under the Blues Project name. Kulberg and Blumenfeld had been members of the Blues Project, and after all the other members left they had formed their new group, but contractual complications restricted them from using the Seatrain name until their second album together.
Anyway, Sea Train was a continuation of the interesting fusion of genres of Planned Obsolescence, but arguably a more successful mix, with more focus and stronger songs - a progressive blend of rock, classical, jazz and folk. The combination of fiddle, flute and sax was hardly typical rock instrumentation, and Roberts' lyrics fused with the sophisticated, intelligent musical structures to make for a really unique sound Seatrain could call their own.
Perhaps it was best that Planned Obsolescene wasn't released as Seatrain, as it could be seen as them finding their feet first before they committed themselves with a superior product (the former could be considered a prologue to this, the real start of the group's career).
This incarnation of the band would not last though, as within months there would be flurry of line-up changes.
|> Seatrain (1970)
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The Marblehead Messenger was the third album from Seatrain, and the second with the lineup of Peter Rowan (guitar/vocals), Lloyd Baskin (keyboards/vocals), Richard Greene (fiddle), Andy Kulberg (bass/flute) and Larry Atamanuik (drums/percussion), plus lyricist Jim Roberts. Again produced by George Martin, it followed in the same style as its predecessor, but was no where near as successful. The reason why is probably simply because it did not have as many memorable songs. Nevertheless it did have a consistent sound throughout. The songwriting was mostly by Kulberg and Roberts together, though Rowan did contribute three of his own compositions (one of which, "Mississippi Moon", would later be covered by Jerry Garcia on his Compliments album). Strangely, it also included a new version of "As I Lay Losing" from their debut album, renamed "Losing All The Years".
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