Search - Lee Michaels :: Recital

Lee pulls out all the stops on this one

05/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"RECITAL is Lee Michaels second album, released on vinyl as A&M SP 4152. There are still some guitar solos, but this time out Lee is in the foreground playing harpsichord, organ and piano while belting out blues vocals with uptempo percussion. "Spare Change" is an instrumental experiment which is fascinating. Other great cuts are "The War," "Grocery Soldier" and "If I Lose You." This one was more of a critical than commercial success, but definitely worthwhile."

If you love Lee-Buy it-you'll love it!

Robert Sax | st. louis, mo. United States | 07/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got turned on to the unique sound of this guy with "5th," which contained the big hit: "Do you know what I mean." It was non-stop from there! I eventually called a local record store and discovered his first two albums; "Carnival of Life" and this one: "Recital."
Although these two laid back on the heavy organ sound which predominates his other albums; they were unique, different, fresh. And his voice: What range!
This man is one incredible musician indeed!
Try it, you'll love it!"

Keyboard Psychedelica Classic Par Excellence

Lawrence A. Strid | Mission Viejo, CA | 10/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Lee Michael's second album, and while his debut release,Carnival of Life, remains his strongest effort in my book, this second outing runs a close second. It is most notable for Michaels' expressive vocals and his brilliant overdubbing of various keyboards into each song (ie., Hammond organ, pipe organ, electric piano, grand piano, up-right piano, and harpsichord)to create a "keyboard wall of sound", and all of it without guitars, save the opening track of "If I Lose You", and which is notable for Drake Levin, late of Paul Revere and The Raiders, contributing some excellent licks. Like Carnival of Life, Recital's songs are mired in 60's psychedelica and sentiment, commenting on the Vietnam War, panhandling hippies, and altered states of consciousness. The songs still hold up, despite the dated themes, because of Michael's inventive arrangements, multi-layered keyboard treatments, and soulful vocals. Highly recommended, but Carnival of Life remains his opus in my book."