[2016-11-18] Detective "It Takes One To Know One" and "Live From The Atlantic Studios" r/ms (Hear No Evil/Cherry Red UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2016 9:51 pm

It Takes One To Know One

Description
The unique and inimitable Michael Des Barres made his first foray into the world of rock ‘n’ roll fronting the glammed-up, London proto-rock/metal, scuzz punks Silverhead. Recording two LPs for Deep Purple’s own label, Purple Records from 1972 until the band imploded in 1974, Des Barres made brief stab at a solo career, before catching the attention of Led Zeppelin’s own label imprint, Swan Song. Joined by Michael Monarch on guitars, Tony Kaye on keyboards, Bobby Pickett on bass and Jon Hyde on drums, Detective were born.

Fuelled by the phenomenal success of Led Zeppelin, Swan Song didn’t appear to be in a rush to hear the fruits of Des Barres’s labours with his new band, who spent a year making their self-titled debut. Evidently taking some inspiration from their new patrons, their first LP carried a dark swagger, with enough punch to make some quarters at least want to believe it was in fact a Zep record in a secret guise.

Having previously been happy to let the band sit on their debut for a year until its 1977 release, their label suddenly wanted a follow-up, and quick. Possibly in an act of too much too soon, “It Takes One To Know One” was released before the end of 1977, a mere six months after their debut. Picking up where the first LP left off, it in fact made a better placing on the US charts, no doubt helped by a heavy touring schedule with the likes of KISS.

Detective even made a brief foray into the mainstream, appearing on popular US TV show, WKRP In Cincinnati as “Scum Of The Earth”, as a sort of US vision of a punk rock group. A move from Swan Song to parent label Atlantic, with Tom Dowd lined-up to produce their third record, sadly came to nothing, and the band subsequently split.

This new version of “It Takes One To Know One” features liner notes based on interviews by Malcolm Dome with Michael Des Barres, recording engineer Richard Digby-Smith and guitarist Michael Monarch. Long out of print, this is the first time it has been made available on CD outside of Japan and the U.S. and Germany.

Tracklist
1. Help Me Up
2. Competition
3. Are You Talkin’ To Me?
4. Dynamite
5. Something Beautiful
6. Warm Love
7. Betcha Won’t Dance
8. Fever
9. Tear Jerker

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY0INDB/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LY0INDB/?tag=imwan-21

Live From The Atlantic Studios

Description
“LIVE FROM THE ATLANTIC STUDIOS” was a short lived, promo only series of in concert albums, recorded live before a small, invited audience. In fact, this series of now highly collectable releases, produced to be played just on the radio, only lasted three albums; by AC/DC, The Le Blanc & Carr Band, and short lived Swan Song hard rockers, Detective.

Fronted by Michael Des Barres, Detective featured Michael Monarch on guitars, Tony Kaye on keyboards, Bobby Pickett on bass and Jon Hyde on drums. No slouches, after signing to Led Zeppelin’s own imprint, Swan Song, they released both of their only two LPs in 1977.

Des Barres had previously cut his teeth with Deep Purple protégés Silverhead, a London based band that recorded two LP for Purple Records in 1972 and 1973. Where Silverhead could be seen as the bridge between early 70s glam rock and 80s style hair metal, Detective were firmly based in the gutters of LA and the clubs of Sunset Strip.

Where Detective really shone was on stage, and this is self-evident on “Live From The Atlantic Studios”, even before a very small, invited audience, a world away from the enormodomes that the band had been playing in support of their first two LPs as guests of the likes of KISS.

Although the Swan Song Icarus logo appears proudly on the cover, the LP demonstrates the growing interest parent label Atlantic had in developing the band, even going so far as to bring famed producer Tom Dowd on board to produce the proposed third album.

“Live From The Atlantic Studios” remains a fitting testament to the short-lived band. Originally issued in 1978, but never officially made available commercially, this is the very first time this album has been legitimately released on CD.

Tracklist
1. Help Me Up
2. Got Enough Love
3. Recognition
4. One More Heartache
5. Detective Man
6. Grim Reaper
7. Fever
8. Nighingale
9. Tear Jerker / Good Rockin’ Tonight

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX1BBDO/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LX1BBDO/?tag=imwan-21

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Awesome!

The debut Detective album is fantastic.

These go for a lot of $ on the market although I hope this Live From Atlantic Studios is of good quality.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

These sound fantastic and added to the debut album (a Rock masterpiece), I am thrilled to finally have the Detective catalogue complete and with detailed liner notes, interviews and great sound.

Another one of those 70s Hard Rock bands who should've been huge, but a lot went against them.

I got these very cheap through a seller on Amazon and they were worth every penny.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

I got this last week. It sounds to me like it's going to take a few listens to get it. I also got the Rock Candy remaster of the 1st disc. The reason I sprung is I saw these guys open for Kiss back in '77. Detective was touring on the 2nd album at the time.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

That first album is a total home run.

The 2nd one isn't as good but it will find you liking it, or most of it.

The live album kills, although it's an "in-studio" recording in front of a small, invited audience.

[2016-11-18] Detective "It Takes One To Know One" and "Live From The Atlantic Studios" r/ms (Hear No Evil/Cherry Red UK)

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