The Fields - Fields FLAC

Tracklist

Credits

• Arranged By – Bill Rinehart, Gene Page
• Bass Guitar, Vocals – Patrick Burke
• Engineer – Frank Kejmar
• Graphics – Mitchell Brisker
• Lead Guitar, Vocals – Richard Fortunato
• Management – Mark Slotkin
• Percussion, Vocals – Steven Lagana
• Photography – Michael O'Bryant
• Producer – Bill Rinehart

Notes

Wish I knew more about this short-lived, late 1960s outfit. Guitarist Richard Fortunato got his start as a member of The Preachers, before joining San Francisco's The Vejtables. Following The Vejtables collapse he moved on to a short lived collaboration with bassist Patrick Burke and drummer Steve Langana.

Their only album 'Fields' features Brenda Holloway and The Raylettes

As Fields, the trio's initial break came when they found a mentor in the form of Mark Slotkin. Slotikin (heir to the Abbey Rents fortune), quickly signed on as the group's manager and used his connections to help the group get signed to Uni Records.

Produced by former Merry Go Round alumni Bill Rhinehart, 1969's cleverly-titled "Fields" is kind of an oddity; especially for a record label that's best known for a more pop-oriented catalog. With Fortunanto writing most of the six selections (although Burke and Langana contributed material), the album's overall feel is very blues-rockish. A number of reviews we've seen draw comparisons to Cream. In this case the comparison isn't bad, with tracks such as the leadoff rocker 'Elysian Fields', 'Take You Home' and 'Jump On It' bearing more than a passing resemblance to Clapton and company. Exemplified by tracks such as 'Bide My Time', the performances are quite raw and if your tastes run to top-40 and highly polished performances, then this set won't do much for you. Personal favorite - the bizarre, sidelong 'Love Is the Word'. With backing from Motown singer Brenda Holloway and the Raylettes, the song offers up a weird blend of rock, psych and soul influences. Stretched out over nearly 20 minutes, it has to be heard to be believed. Elsewhere Uni tapped 'Bide My Time' b/w 'Take You Home' (Uni catalog number 55106) as an instantly forgotten single. The band apparently toured quite a bit, serving as an opening act for John Mayall and other name groups, but never broke nationally and collapsed within a year.

"Fields" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Elysian Fields (Richard Fortunato - L. Bowman - Patrick Burke) - 3:25
2.) Bide My Time (Richard Fortunato - Patrick Burke - Steve Langana) - 5:08
3.) Take You Home (Richard Fortunato) - 3:00
4.) Jump On You (Richard Fortunato) - 3:18
5.) Sun Would Set (Richard Fortunato) - 5:15

(side 2)

1.) Love Is The Word (Richard Fortunato - Patrick Burke - Steve Langana) - 19:50

Bassist Burke ended up in Southern California where he eventually ended up a member of Father Yod and the Yahowa 13 commune/cult. Under the name Sunshine he played bass of a number of the Yahowa 13 LPs.

http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/FIELDS.htm

Companies

• Record Company – MCA inc.
• Copyright (c) – Universal City Records
• Produced For – Creative Complex
• Published By – Crecon Music
• Engineered At – Whitney Recording Studios