Hi Files July 2016

For a time period, probably between four and six years ago, Saint Vitus was one of the coolest bands in metal. Labels started repressing the group’s long out-of-print discography, and the band’s name became a watchword in press releases. The band reformed with their second, and most famous vocalist, Scott “Wino” Weinrich, who enjoyed a little popularity boost from his work in Probot as well as some well-received solo albums. The St. Vitus revival culminated in the band releasing a new album in 2012 after a 17-year hiatus.

Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band were an English-based soul band, active from 1965 to 1968. The Ram Jam Band were formed around 1964 by Pete Gage and Geoff Pullum. Before taking on Geno Washington, whom Pete knew from performing the Bentwaters USAF Base, they had Jamaican Blue Beat singer by the name of Errol Dixon front the band as they embarked on the London club circuit. Pete approached Geno to finance his demobbing to the States and to return to front the band as it seemed essential to have an American to perform US soul rather than the West Indian alternatives in London at that time.

Sometimes, a greatest-hits set is timed perfectly to gather together a group's most successful and familiar performances just at the point when that group has passed the point of their maximum exposure to the public, but before the public memory has had a chance to fade. That was the case when Columbia Records assembled this compilation for release in early 1972. At that point, Blood, Sweat & Tears had released four albums and scored six Top 40 hits, each of which is heard here. But lead singer David Clayton-Thomas had just quit the group, so that the unit that recorded songs like "You've Made Me So Very Happy" was not working together anymore. And even when Clayton-Thomas returned, the band would continue to decline commercially. As such, BS&T's Greatest Hits captures the band's peak in 11 selections–seven singles chart entries, plus two album tracks from the celebrated debut album when Al Kooper helmed the group, and two more from the Grammy-winning multi-platinum second album.