FOUNTAINHEAD Live (1981 -2025 Crossroad Productions)

Fountainhead, "the renegades of rock'n'roll," formed in 1974 with three guitars, waited until 1981 to release this live album. Hailing from Connecticut, the band delivers a Southern rock sound, sometimes tinged with blues, reminiscent at times of Stillwater. Add to that talented guitarists playing in harmony and with a melodic touch, a strong lead vocal, and solid backing vocals, all underpinned by a rhythm section delivering varied and pulsating beats, and you have a truly enjoyable album. Yet, this wasn't enough for the band to achieve mainstream success. The trumpets of fame (though one does grace a track on the album) are occasionally off-key, but listening to this album, which concludes with a rather original and very respectable version of the classic "Born to Be Wild," featuring piano and the obligatory drum solo, is highly recommended. Go for it with your eyes closed, but your ears wide open!

Philippe Archambeau & Yves Philippot-Degand

Translation : Y. Philippot-Degand