I find myself muttering, “What a waste.” so often when reading about reissue projects. Finally, we’re presented with one that is long overdue. If you’re one of those types that care more about your supply of plastic record sleeves than your dying front lawn, chances are you’re already familiar with POOBAH. The band produced three amazing grails in the seventies, all sporting brick-heavy psych riffs, exceptionally tight musicianship, and plenty of guitar heroics courtesy of one Mr. Jim Gustafson. POOBAH records easily stand toe-to-toe with classic releases from UFO to JUDAS PRIEST to THIN LIZZY, and the band is still quite active today.

I’m so pleased that fans just now getting into the groovy rock of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or THE HIDDEN HAND can experience the time-tested 70s guitar blooze of a band like this without having to sell off bits of furniture to greedy Goldmine types. Monster’s remastering job sounds absolutely superb. The churning, turbine-like “Jaws”-theme pulse of “You Don’t Love Me” has to be heard to be believed. Newer bands will find a study in swashbuckling band-fronting confidence in the form of “She’s That Kind of Lover”. Gustafson, yelps, croons, and attacks his six-string with incredible melodicism and dexterity, flooding the ears with cyclonic, speeding licks before shifting into an even more impressive and humbling slide guitar exhibition. I’d also offer that any 70s rock fan that hasn’t experienced the riff-tastic fist-in-the-air strut of “Jump through the Golden Ring” has a tremendous hole in their record collection. Right before the solo break, Gustafson lets fly a piercing scream that rivals Halford’s in “Victim of Changes”. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Listen for yourself.

Just in case all of this isn’t enough to get you reaching for your credit card, Monster has included some scorching live tracks recorded in ’79. We get a live version of “Mr. Destroyer”, a track from POOBAH’s 1972 debut “Let Me In”, presented here with uncannily sharp and beefy sound for an obscure live recording. It’s easy to detect the crispy open voicings from Jimbo and Phil Jones' booming, echoey vocals are surprisingly commanding. The live version of “Steamroller” finds the band stretching out in extended drum and guitar jams. You can practically smell the wooden paneling and feel the shag carpet under your feet. What more could you want?

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.poobahband.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Steamroller

RELATED ITEMS: POOBAH - Jim Gustafson interview