Orange Wedge

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Oct 20 11:27:43 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залиты диски Orange_Wedge:
(1972)_Wedge
(1974)No_One_Left_ButMe

Не буду повторяться.
Малоизвестная рок-группа из Балтимора, что в Штатах. Выпустили вот эти две пластинки.
Я их начал слушать со второго диска, того же и вам желаю, он явно сильнее первого.
По музыке - типичный американский рок, типа Гранд Фанка, никакой психоделии, заводной такой тяжёлый рочок-с.
Особенно доставляют редкие переходы на серф-рок и классический рокенролл - забавно и заводит.
Рекомендую!

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Orange Wedge was established around 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland. The group evolved from Greg & the Originals. Members were Greg Coulson (lead vocals), Fred Zang (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Don Cowger (bass). In 1968 they added Craig Krixer (lead guitar), Dave Burgess (keyboards) and Tom Rizzo (drums). Krixer came up with the name Orange Wedge. The rock band began playing many teen centers, and school dances. After a brief illness and hospital stay in early 1969 Coulson rejoined the band. They began playing on regular basis quickly becoming one of the top hard rock bands in Baltimore. Orange Wedge could be seen at all the local clubs in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. Zang and Krixer left the group in 1969 and joined Black Foot Smoke. Zang played guitar and/or bass for a lot of other groups. Нe is still active in the music business. The group that created the records existed between 1971 and 1975.

When the group decided to do there own music, guitarist Joe Farace (ex-Fabulous Monarchs, Cabbage) brought his basic ideas to the group. Coulson was responsible for the lyrics. The entire band created the arrangements. The first record entitled "Wedge" was recorded and mixed in Baltimore at Flite Three Studios in 1972. Five hundred copies were made which were distributed a few local stores, and several labels for a possible deal. The remaining records were sold out at shows when the group performed.

In 1973 Burgess left the band becoming a member of Patch. Their second album was released in 1974 titled "No One Left But Me" and was recorded at Sheffield Studios with special guests Mark O'Connor, and Jay Graboski of Oho. This time a thousand copies were pressed and distributed in the same way. The group performed the songs live at their shows. They were also heard on the local rock radio station. The group was never offered a contract for either release.

In 1975 Joe Farace left the band. Coulson and Rizzo continued the group which finally called it a day in late 1978. Both Orange Wedge LPs have been reissued in the 00's in the States and also have been reissued as a 2 LP German import on "Little Wing".

Joe Farace is still performing in Baltimore with his group "Bottle of Blues".

(c) CD-cover
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(c) Paleo Aram

1. Orange Wedge interview with Joe Farace - Orange Wedge actually started out as Greg and the Originals. Obviously, Greg Coulson was in that group. I’m not really sure about the rest of the group. I was in a group called Cabbage and before that The Monarchs. There are no recordings available of these groups as far as I know.

2. If I'm correct, you formed in Baltimore around 1968? Нow was the scene there? What can you say about the very first days and sessions you had as Orange Wedge?

There were lots of groups around. I went to the Orange Wedge audition and we practically played the whole side of the Who album Live At Leeds. After the audition I joined immediately.

3. Why the name Orange Wedge?

It was the name of a popular LSD back in the day.

7. In 1972 you released your debut album called Wedge. It's 500 limited edition LP. I would like to know where did you record it? In fact if you can share with us story about producing and recording this LP. Was it released as private press?

We recorded the album in Baltimore at Flite Three. We were broke and didn’t have the cash to do anything more than the 500 copies. We went in the studio twice to record and Greg and Gene Meros the engineer were more involved with mixing and producing later. The record needed a cover so we came up with the basic dark blue with the Wedge stamp. The record was available in some local stores and on gigs. We gathered a list of record companies and packaged the album for them to review. The responses varied but no record deal.
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Joe Farce: guitar
Don Cowger: bass
Tom Rizzo: drums
Dave Burgess: keyboards
Greg Coulson: vocals
Gene Ingham: bass, flute
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido