Bachman Turner Overdrive - B.T.O. Japan Tour

I know this is my second post about BTO, but this was a cool find for me. I had mentioned I had been looking for the B.T.O. Japan Tour album for years, and last fall my wife and I were hanging around Commercial Drive checking out the shops. She shopped for clothes and I stood around looking lost for the most part. It was a beautiful fall day, and as we made our way along the drive there on the corner was a small stall with a guy selling records. They were between five and ten bucks, which was a little high considering the condition of some of the records, but as I'd been forced to endure a few clothing shops I felt justified in stopping to see what was there.

There were quite a few records I wanted, but I already had them on CD, and the general agreement was if I had it already I didn't need to get it again. I've generally stayed true to this, as frankly I spent a lot of money buying discs to replace the snap crackle and pop of my old record collection.

There were three records I was pretty stoked to find, and I'll most likely get to the other two at a later date - but there it was B.T.O. Japan Tour. The gate fold was in decent shape, but the vinyl looked pretty banged up, but there were no deep scratches other than some surface abrasion. I tried to haggle, but the guy was firm at ten bucks. I think this was more due to me going all fanboy when I saw it. He knew I wanted it. So I paid my money, and got my treasure.

I don't know if this originally came with liner notes, I suspect it didn't. The one thing I remember about this was it was only released in Japan and Canada. Which was weird because in 1977 BTO was still a pretty big deal, and people liked a good live album. Heck a year earlier Frampton Comes Alive! Was crushing it on the charts, and that was a double live album.

Before Cheap Trick and Bob Dylan released live albums from Budokan, BTO did it first and judging by the crowd reaction they killed it. The album was short, just seven songs, and a one minute "thank you" at the end. The song selection was questionable - I mean really the guys had a lot of killer tracks to choose from up to 1975s Head On (one of my personal favourites) and this is what they go with? Arguably their biggest hit "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" is a glaring omission. 

I'm guessing the actual concert was close to an hour and a half, and would have made a great double live album. Why not, everyone was releasing double live albums from Head East, to The Ozark Mountain Daredevils to John Denver ... I wonder if this was just a contractual album with little to no input from the band? It's not like they weren't selling records. Maybe they peaked commercially with Not Fragile, but their first five albums went gold in the States, and platinum here in Canada, and even Freeways went gold at home - a great live album would have been a bonus to their catalogue, and not something to be treated as an after thought. Oddly, this felt really familiar so I went and looked through my CDs and there on the shelf was my King Biscuit Flower Hour live recording from 1974, and the set list was practically a mirror of what was presented here, except that Tim Bachman was still in the band.

Well, whatever the case no point in bitching and moaning about what should have been. Let's look at what it is. What it is, is AWESOME. Recorded during their 1976 Japan tour, the band was still in their heyday and musically were firing on all cylinders. When people talk about rock's great vocalists how come Fred Turner's powerful growl isn't mentioned?

The album kicks off with a great version of "Roll on Down the Highway" and then moves into their blue collar groove with "Hold Back the Water" which while a decent song from their debut was never one of my favourite tracks, I do like how they stretch it out and slip into "Welcome Home" with its jazz infused riffs and rock chorus. Again, the musicianship is top shelf and the band is right in the pocket. The first side closes out with an extended version of "Don't Get Yourself into Trouble" that starts off with a three minute guitar solo. I can't hear this song without picturing Blair in a pair of Big Blue bib overalls playing his Black Beauty Les Paul (thank you CBC for that indelible image). While never my favourite song, this is an excellent version. So far other this has been a celebration of the band's deeper cuts.

Let's flip this over. Yeah, "Four Wheel Drive" this is the song and the album where I became a fan. After the guitar solo break the song changes gears and Robin takes over with the obligatory '70s drum solo. Now as far as these things go it's pretty good and he seems to bring the crowd along with him as he slows down to lead the audience through a syncopated sing along. Which, to be honest I didn't expect. 

Up next depending on who you talk to is the band's signature song "Takin' Care of Business" and with the crowd warmed the church of rock and roll is now in session. Randy leads the audience through a call and response trying to get everyone involved.

The album draws to a close with "Slow Down Boogie" which I'm guessing was a non album track, because I don't remember this at all and while it's okay and in a live setting was probably fun, but it just feels like an afterthought and a way to fill up some time as it slips into Fred's one minute and change thank you to the audience. Admittedly it's a decent way to end the album.

Overall, a nice addition to my collection but I can't help but think of what could have been. I'm not sure it'll get a lot of play, but there's no buyers remorse. It's a great collection of deep cuts with a couple of hits that showcased a band that were as good or better than anyone else out there at the time.

As Fred said to the crowd, I'll repeat it for the band: Thank you - Domo. You have no idea what you guys meant to me growing up.

Edit: January 12, 2023

Just read about Rob Bachman passing away just shy of his 70th birthday on January 12, a couple of days after I posted this entry. Looking back through the albums and seeing pictures of the band you forget how young he was when B.T.O. was enjoying their heyday. That's the person I think of when I hear his name. Coincidentally before I heard the news this afternoon I was in the basement listening to Freeways and Street Action - He'll live on through the music. R.I.P.