The Michael Stanley Band's skills were obviously increasing by its second album, 1976's
Ladies' Choice. It also leaned more toward rockers than ballads, whereas the material on the previous year's
You Break It, You Bought It! was a more even split. Once again, Bill Szymczyk handled production duties and
Ladies' Choice also continued
Stanley's practice of having high-profile guest musicians sit on some sessions. "Ladies' Choice" has a country-rock and MOR feel, but
Stanley says in the Razor & Tie reissue liner notes that Szymczyk viewed it as a reggae number. "Calcutta Auction" is slinky funk-rock highlighted by
Stanley's gritty vocals and lead guitarist Jonah Koslen's buzzing, overdriven solos. Koslen's infectious anthem "Strike up the Band" immediately became a live favorite that the band included in its set for years. "Heavy Weight" is mid-tempo hard rock, and Seth Justman of the J. Geils Band is featured on organ. "One Good Reason" is one of the most creative songs the Michael Stanley Band ever recorded. Bassist Daniel Pecchio and drummer Tom Dobeck drive the song with a slow, funky, and off-kilter beat while guest
David Sanborn contributes alternately smoky and scalding alto saxophone lines and guest Albhy Galuten's pulsating synthesizer accents add the perfect touch. According to
Stanley's liner-notes comments, the bright rocker "Let It Slide" was a rip-off of the Eagles' "Already Gone." Koslen's piano-driven ballad "Blue Jean Boy" is a clever rumination about road life and settling down; it's the kind of song that
Elton John and
Bernie Taupin would write.
Stanley cheerfully admits that the short instrumental "Choice and Sanborn" was simply an excuse to have Sanborn stick around the studio and play some more. ~ Bret Adams