TOMMY BOLIN – Shake The Devil : The Lost Sessions (2021)
This 2021 we reach the 45th anniversary of the passing of TOMMY BOLIN, the supremely talented guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work with Deep Purple and The James Gang, who captivated the world with his sophisticated and ferocious playing. Bolin’s tragic death, when he was a mere 25 years old, has been one of rock music’s great “what ifs,” forcing critics and fans to grapple with what Bolin might have been able to accomplish in subsequent years were he still alive, given that he managed to produce such amazing works of mature artistry at such a young age.
Now Cleopatra Records / Purple Pyramid are releasing a collection of lost tracks by Tommy Bolin titled “Shake The Devil: The Lost Sessions“, featuring demos, alternate mixes, and outtakes, music from the ‘Private Eyes’ album sessions.
A must listen for fans of this gifted musician.
Tommy was born in Sioux City, Iowa. He loved rock and roll as a young boy, idolizing Elvis Presley. Bolin got his first guitar at the age of 10, and soon was organizing his own band. This restless, precocious young man grew tired of the local rock scene. As a 10th grader, Tommy was expelled from school because his hair was deemed too long.
After getting it cut once, he was sent back home for not having enough trimmed off. With his parents’ blessing, 15-year-old Tommy hitch-hiked to Denver to find fame.
Soon after, he met singer Jeff Cook and joined CROSSTOWN BUS, and later ZEPHYR, but his love for jazz caused problems with the rest of the group. Tommy left to form ENERGY. Headquartered in Boulder, ENERGY was one of the first jazz-fusion bands. They backed John Lee Hooker, Albert King and Chuck Berry.
Then Tommy discovered glam rock. He wore flashy clothes designed by his girlfriend, Karen Ulibarri. His hair was multi-colored and he wore leopard skin platform boots. Tragically, this era started Bolin’s attraction to hard drugs.
Drummer Billy Cobham visited Tommy’s apartment to ask him to play guitar on his “Spectrum” album. That led to the JAMES GANG asking him to replace Joe Walsh when Walsh left the group. Albums in 1973, “Bang”, and 1974, “Miami”, featured Tommy’s guitar virtuosity.
Jazz-fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon asked Bolin to play on his 1975 album, “Mind Transplant”. That led to an invitation from DEEP PURPLE to join them.
He recorded “Come Taste The Band” with DEEP PURPLE, and was able to finish his solo album, “Teaser”, that year. He had begun work on a second solo disc, “Private Eyes”, but that was cut short by his tragic premature death in Miami from a drug overdose.
Ultimately “Private Eyes” was released, and now we have here previously unheard material from these sessions.
01 – Shake the Devil (Alternate Mix)
02 – Bustin’ out for Rosey (Alternate Version)
03 – Hello Again (Outtake – No Strings)
04 – Gypsy Soul (Outtake)
05 – Sweet Burgundy (Alternate Version)
06 – Someday We’ll Bring Our Love Home (Instrumental Demo)
07 – You Told Me That You Loved Me (Instrumental Demo)
08 – Post Toastee (Acoustic Demo)
09 – Tommy’s Instrumental (Outtake)
10 – Gypsy Soul (Acoustic Demo)
11 – Gypsy Soul (Rehearsal Demo)
12 – Someday We’ll Bring Our Love Home (Instrumental #2)
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