This CD reissue of the only album of
Nashville West material, originally titled
Nashville West, is preferable to the LP version of
Nashville West as it adds four extra tracks (which had also been available on a previous CD reissue of the record on the Sierra label). It also has detailed historical liner notes, though the
Nashville West story is so confusing and labyrinthine (the band was not called
Nashville West while it was active, for instance) that it's not easy to follow no matter how well it's written. The music, while of considerable historical interest for anyone interested in the roots of country-rock, isn't as revolutionary or exciting as some might expect. This live material wasn't recorded with the intention of release, for one thing, so although the fidelity is OK, it's not nearly as pristine or polished as those of most official releases, even by late-'60s standards. The impression is one of a congenial Californian country bar band rather than one of innovators, though
Clarence White's guitar work sparkles, and the band sprinkles in far more electric rock influences than most country acts were using at the time. Too, the mix and material were selected to spotlight the instrumental rather than the vocal facets of the band, giving a somewhat unbalanced picture of what the group sounded like. It's certainly pleasant stuff, and occasionally the songs are outstanding, particularly "Love of the Common People" and the tremolo-soaked cover of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." ~ Richie Unterberger