With a name like Proof (as in 90% whiskey?) it does not leave
too much to the imagination where this band got their name considering
they were a blues based rock band. They were a better than average
band, unfortunately these live recordings do not do them justice.
Both recordings (side one and side two) were culled from Anchorage,
Alaska dates and only 300 copies were pressed, making this a sought after blues rarity.
The first side was recorded at a Jefferson Airplane concert
in 1970. The sound is very crude and there is no separation whatsoever
in the instruments and the vocals sound muffled and overbearing, it
actually sounds like someone had a cassette player in the audience
and they turned it on to document their evening. Side two, recorded
at a Rick Nelson concert in the same year, is much better but still lacking in quality.
Although all of these songs are great, most of them are well-worn
standards, which make it even less desirable because there are few
original arrangements by the band. This is for collectors only; it
really has no other value except for diehard followers of the band
and a document of their recorded works.
Side One
(Jefferson Airplane Concert May 30, 1970, recorded by Bill Iverson and Gary Sloan)
1. Highway 61 Revisited (B. Dylan, add. lyrics by G. Sloan) 5.10
2. Snatch it Back (Jr. Wells) 5.30
3. Why (Lonnie Mack) 4.55
4. Ridin' on the L + N (trad. arr. by G. Sloan, R. Reid) 5.05
Side Two
(Rick Nelson Concert August 8th 1970 recorded by Michael Jennings,
Zut Sound and Gary Sloan)
1. Loves Made a Fool of You (Buddy Holly) 3.27
2. She Don't Come Here Anymore (Lonnie Mack) 4.40
3. Ain't Got You (J. Reed) / Baby, Please Don't Go (Trad. arr. by
G. Sloan, M. Thompson) 10.05
out of 4
