Artist: Robert Caleb Potter
Album: Retro Expose
Review by Matthew Warnock
Singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Robert Caleb Potter is a musician who grew up in that classic-rock era and who has maintained those influences in his latest release, his first self-produced solo project Retro Expose.The album is full of well-written and performed classic-rock influenced tracks that have the timeless quality to them that allows them to be just as relevant today as if they were released in the ‘60s or ‘70s. Songs such as “Dreamrider” have a CCR style groove to them, with vocal lines that will bring to mind early to mid-60s Beatles records, a solid combination to be sure. Other tracks such as “Loveshine” features a guitar riff that reminds one of the simple, yet highly memorable licks of Rolling Stones picker Keith Richards. The guitar line helps to solidify the groove, which again while simple is strong and firmly in the pocket. There is just enough blues influence and country twang in the guitar tone to also bring to mind guitar-slingers such as Steve Earl or Mark Knopfler, two of the genre’s greatest players and song-writers.
Alongside the more rockin’ tracks Potter also showcases his softer side on tracks such as “The Bottom Line,” a rock-ballad that features a memorable vocal line and lyrics. Writing and recording a strong ballad is something that all of the classic rockers could do as well as they could write a barn-burner but this skill seems to have been forgotten by many of today’s newer rock bands. By writing in this slower, more melodic style Potter is allowing his audience a glimpse into his experience as a songwriter as well as the deep level of his musicianship and creativity. It also helps to add diversity to the tracklist, preventing the album from becoming monotonous or predictable.
“Heart Like a Rock” also has a Fleetwood Mac-Dire Straits type groove and progression that reflects the many influences in Potter’s writing and performing. The many different classic-rock influences that permeate Potter’s writing and playing allow his music to appeal to a wide range of rock fans, old and new alike. Sure, Potter might have pushed the envelope with his writing a bit more to distance himself from his influences, but would that record have been as successful as this one, probably not.
Overall, Retro Expose' is a solid, classic-rock influenced release by the talented Potter. Is it going to reinvent the wheel? No. But, is it a welcomed addition to the classic rock catalogue, absolutely. With well-written tunes, solid groove, simple yet catchy guitar riffs and interesting lyrics, this album has everything it takes to make a good classic rock record.
Reviewed by Matthew Warnock
Rating: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
Robert Caleb Potter: Reviews & Credits
Credits/Bio Clip
Musical Influences; The Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, Dion And The Belmont’s, Patsy Cline, The Beatles and the writing/performing combo of Jimmy Webb and Glen Campbell.
Favorite Songs; Young At Heart by Frank Sinatra, Secret Love by Doris Day, Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell, Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles, Rum & Coca Cola by The Andrews Sisters and Ode To Billy Joe by Bobby Joe Gentry always come up near the top of the list for me.
Discography; My songs appear on the following vinyl albums/CD's;'Standing In Your Line', by Barbara Fairchild, Columbia Records, 1974 (1 song)
'Free Beer', by Free Beer, Southwind/Buddha Records, 1975 (4 songs)
'Highway Robbery', by Free Beer, RCA Records, 1976 (3 songs)
'Nouveau Chapeau', by Free Beer, RCA Records, 1977 (2 songs)
'I Love To Dance', by Shucks, Stargem Records, 1990 (2 songs)
'Free Beer Best', by Free Beer, Iris Music Group, 2011, (4 songs)
Touring Venues; I was a co founder of the Country Rock Band ‘Free Beer‘. The band toured to augment the sale of albums and performed at many popular venues of the 1970’s including The Boarding House in San Francisco, The Armadillo in Austin Texas, Liberty Hall in Houston, Texas, The Electric Ballroom in Dallas Texas, The Ambassador Theater in St Louis, and The Roxie in Los Angeles to name a few.
Major Acts Opened For: ‘Free Beer’ was invited to open the shows for many famous Bands and Artists’ among them the up and coming comedian Steve Martin. Other acts included Quicksilver Messenger Service, the British Band 10CC, Dr Hook and The Atlanta Rhythm Section among the more prominent.
Band History
Nexus (1970-72) This was a four piece Queens, NY based band that played Rock. I was the drummer/vocalist for this band.
Ginger (1973-74) Hugh Prestwood and I played under this name at local gigs in Greenwich Village often incorporating guitarist Ronnie Renninger whenever possible.
Free Beer (1974-77) Originally a three piece acoustic group, Free Beer expanded to a six members for tour dates to promote their Southwind/Buddha and RCA albums. Michael Packer, Sandy Allen and Robert Caleb Potter were the nucleus of the band which added Pedal Steel/ 2nd Lead Guitarist Dan Daley, Lead Guitarist Werner Fritzsching, and either Phil Leone or Paul Kimbarrow on Drums while on the road.
The Ruthless Brothers; (1978-80) This group (originally named Cooley Wages) included Free Beer band mate Sandy Allen, local village friend and Blues singer John Puccio and myself as the singers/writers. The band was more rock oriented and even included some Greatful Dead/New Riders of the Purple Sage songs in the live shows. The band was augmented on stage by a wide array of musicians. Guitarists Jim Satten, Bernard Grobman, Bassists Tommy Ethridge and Bill Gelber, and drummers, Phil Leone, Bobby Cheonard, Greg Gerson and Howie Wyeth joined the band onstage at different times.
The Cramer Brothers Band; (1985-87) This was a popular Pennsylvania Country Band that played all the clubs and ski resorts around the Poconos Mountains. The band centered on brothers Ray and Randy Cramer who played pedal steel and fiddle respectively. I was added as the front man, lead vocalist/flat top guitar player in 1985. This band went through several personnel changes but Bob Wieden (guitar) and Joe Roberts (bass) were also playing with the band while I was there. Father Ron Cramer would join the band onstage for a few songs both singing and playing twin fiddle with son Randy. The two Cramer Brothers would merge dwith a few members of The Younger Brothers Band and for the country band 'Shucks'. Shucks would include two of my songs on their first CD.
HillWilliams; (1991-95) Old friend and Free Beer band mate Sandy Allen and I teamed up again in Rhode Island to form this group with Tim Preston on bass and Dave Marsh on Pedal Steel.