Bachman-Turner Ovedrive : Bachman-Turner Overdrive & Bachman-Turner Overdrive II
BGO Records
http://www.bgo-records.com/albums/bgocd1082-bachman-turner-overdrive-bachman-turner-overdrive-ii

Rating:

BTO:                           B
BTO II:                        B+

BGO Records has digitally remastered two classic albums from one of Canada’s most beloved bands, Bachman-Turner Overdrive.  These are the bands first two releases, from 1973 and 1974. 

Guitarist Randy Bachman was finding himself after leaving the Guess Who and then forming the short-lived band Brave Belt.  With BTO, he found the blues rock mix he had been searching for. 

The debut album begins with “Gimme Your Money Please” and continues to deliver slabs of hard rocking blues throughout.  While the hits were not appearing yet, this one has a lot of jamming on it and is a true joy of discovery for any fan of BTO who never ventured this far back into their career.  “Stayed Awake All Night” is a great jamming tune, later made famous by heavy metalers Krokus. 

The follow up, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II saw the band refining their sound and the world took notice.  Few songs have been played around the world on the radio and by bar bands than the iconic “Takin’ Care of Business.”  Fred Turner made his name known on this album as well when he blasted out the vocals to “Let It Ride.”  Elsewhere, the tunes are just as good as “Stonegates,” “Tramp” and “Blown” prove. 

Both albums are three-chord, pentatonic scale masterpieces.  This is the birth of a band that would go on to rule the charts for the next several years.  

By Jeb Wright