Max Gronenthal’s second of three solo albums is a great example of how not to package, promote or sequence what could have been a tremendous LP.

The sleeve gives nothing away about the artist. His surname only appears in the musician credits – otherwise, this album is called Max, by Max. And such credits aside, the album sleeve contains no information about the artist or his music. No musical genre is even hinted at by the artwork – going by appearance, this could be a country, blues, rock, new wave or even a disco album.

No adverts or promotion accompanied the album that I can remember. The record was not heard on the radio, no singles were issued. Although, in defence, the musical climate in 1980 (especially in the UK) was not exactly sympathetic to the type of music contained on this record. Nor was FM rock radio in any way established this side of the Atlantic. Anyone who actually purchased this record would therefore have either seen him on stage (back in the USA) or might have heard it blasting out of the sound system of various East Anglian record stores.

Behind the counter, it was a store policy to play through the new releases – most of which arrived on a Monday. The shop was quiet and it was a good time to listen to what was new, and hopefully good. Not forgetting, we needed some idea of where to file albums by previously unheard new artists. And it was nice to be able to offer some sort of opinion to enquiring customers, based on actually having heard the records in question.

We had a nice set of Goodmans RB20 speakers in the shop, which sounded exceptionally clear and punchy, ideally suited to the tight R&B and West Coast rock of Max Gronenthal. The first three tracks - I’ve Got Something Here For You, Rockin’ Chair and the six minute guitar-duelling epic, Shana - were enough for me to pull the album out of the racks and put it in the staff purchase box with my name on the bag. The rest of the album, whilst pleasant, was nowhere by comparison. But songs 1 to 3 were worth the £3.99. Less store discount.

Which leads me to the slipshod running order of this LP. Four great songs can make one fabulous LP, provided that one of each is put at the beginning and end of each side. Whatever songs remain can be used to fill in between the real stand out tracks - with clever sequencing such an LP can sound truly stunning and memorable. Max contains 3½ great songs - the best three were used as the openers on side 1. I have been sorely tempted to resequence the record myself (and to cut altogether the awful version of Paul Simon’s Have A Good Time). But I’ll leave that pleasure to you - fool around with the playlist editor as much as you like.

Max Gronenthal released one more album as Max Carl (real name) and went on to sing for Tower Of Power, Grand Funk Railroad, Jack Mack & The Heart Attack and 38 Special. His debut album - Whistling In The Dark - is quite easy to find but I can't recommend it. Unsurprisingly, Max has never been issued on CD. Meanwhile, Max Gronenthal has one of the best voices in rock music. Check out my vinyl rip of this completely – and cruelly - overlooked album.

Track listing

I've Got Something Here For You
Rockin' Chair
Shana
Have A Good Time
Where Do You Go
Say It Again
Here We Go Again
Near To You
Love Shows
Roll Home

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Max Gronenthal - Max (Chrysalis CHR 1279) (1980)