Think Rational! The Rationals

£15.11

Genre:
Psych / Garage
Label:
Big Beat
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDWIK2 287

This product is also available in these versions:
Think Rational! (MP3), MP3 (£15.98)

To borrow the title of their lone Billboard Hot 100 entry - #92 in late 1966 - it’s really all about “respect”: the enduring respect that the mighty Rationals enjoy amongst fans and fellow musicians from Michigan rock’s golden era. Cherished by a devoted fan base, the pioneering Ann Arbor quartet were top dogs in the state, and those that experienced the Rationals in their prime share an emotional bond to the combo that the rest of us can never fully comprehend. However, the recorded evidence, as presented on our long-awaited deluxe 2 CD Rationals anthology, speaks for itself.

“Think Rational!” collects together for the first time the sides the Rationals cut between 1965 and 1968 under the auspices of their manager and mentor, the enigmatic Hugh “Jeep” Holland. Right from the start, the Rationals were somehow more mature than the average teenage garage band. The Kinks and the Zombies moves heard on early singles morphed into the full-blooded garage soul of their 1966-68 era, whereby the Rationals became the American analogue to the Small Faces or Winwood-era Spencer Davis Group. They sported a muscular, dependable rhythm section in Terry Trabandt and Bill Figg, further fuelled by the incisive, corrosive southpaw lead/rhythm of Steve Correll, and fronted by the multi-faceted abilities of Scott Morgan, one of rock’s most unselfconsciously authentic blue-eyed soul voices.

Ultimately, only the lack of a prolific songwriting team held them back. It is as interpreters that they are best remembered. The band’s two most successful records were covers of Otis Redding’s ‘Respect’ and Chuck Jackson’s ‘I Need You’. The unique arrangement of the former suffers from over-familiarity with Aretha’s subsequent chartbuster; the heartbreaking tenor of the latter could hush the crowd at even the famously “high energy” Grande Ballroom in Detroit – no less than Jackie Wilson informed the band, “you guys just cut Chuck!” Thanks to Jeep’s instruction, the Rationals’ arrangements of R&B stage faves such as ‘Leavin’ Here’, Little Richard’s ‘Poor Dog’ and Sam Hawkins’ ‘Hold On Baby’ are definitive. And their reading of ‘Temptation’s ‘Bout To Get Me’, as heard here, is pure, soulful magic.

A great sense of personal satisfaction comes with the release of “Think Rational!” Over a decade in the making, the band members had long despaired of seeing their best work gain legitimate release, so it is a tremendous honour for me as compiler to see the project to fruition, with all the rightful pieces in place. In addition to all the Rationals singles on A-Square and Cameo, we hear the rare promo 45 cut for a Detroit mens clothing store, as well as tracks from the legendary1968 fan club LP (two known test pressings), for a total of almost twenty unreleased tracks, along with a jam-packed 24-page booklet. “Think Rational!” indeed finally accords the Rationals the “respect” that they have so long deserved.

Note: we hope to feature the Rationals’ post-A-Square recordings in a subsequent Big Beat package.

By Alec Palao

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Track listing

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Side 1

Side 2

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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★★★★

Mojo

Does this legendary group proud…incendiary through and through. ★★★★

Record Collector

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