Ramshackled
	Produced by Alan White
	Released on April 1976
	(no chart information)
	Find it at GEMM
ATL 50217 cover

Worried that Ramshackled is a boondoggle? Relax. Alan White’s first (and only) solo album garnered its share of criticism, both from critics (because it was associated with Yes) and Yes fans (because it didn’t sound enough like Yes). But remembering for the moment that White had only been with Yes a short while, his music naturally draws equally from past employers such as John Lennon, Gary Wright and Joe Cocker. It’s an eclectic mix, sampling soul, rock, jazz, classical and even a little reggae (on the pleasant trifle, “Silly Woman”). You could say the same about Steve Howe’s Beginnings or the side of music Carl Palmer contributed to ELP’s Works Volume One. Ramshackled isn’t as good as all that, with White ceding the songwriting chores to Ken Craddock, Colin Gibson and Pete Kirtley. Virtual unknowns, those fellas, but did that ever stand in the way of Roger Daltrey and the occasional winner? If Ramshackled fails, it’s because the rest of Yes were talented musicians with a vision. White might just as well have gone fishing during Yes’ hiatus. Instead, he recorded this low-key album of songs, including a few (“Avakak,” “Song of Innocence”) that tap into Yes’ vibe. Ramshackled’s failure may be that Yes fans, who were curious for a window into what made White tick, know as little about his muse now as they did before. The revealing science of percussion it ain’t, but approaching this with realistic expectations will go a long way toward appreciating Ramshackled for what it is: a solo album from a ‘70s session drummer who had only recently hitched up with Yes.

elpee picture label

TRACK LISTING

1. OOOH BABY (GOIN' TO PIECES)    (Pete Kirtley)
2. ONE WAY RAG    (Ken Craddock/Colin Gibson)
3. AVAKAK    (Colin Gibson/Ken Craddock/Pete Kirtley)
4. SPRING - SONG OF INNOCENCE    (Blake/Pete Kirtley)
5. GIDDY    (Ken Craddock/Colin Gibson)
6. SILLY WOMAN    (Pete Kirtley)
7. MARCHING INTO A BOTTLE    (Ken Craddock)
8. EVERYBODY    (Colin Gibson/Ken Craddock/Pete Kirtley)
9. DARKNESS (PARTS 1, 2 & 3)    (Ken Craddock/Colin Gibson)

CREDITS

ALAN WHITE --
KEN CRADDOCK --
COLIN GIBSON --
PETE KIRTLEY --

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