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| From | Donmand@aol.com |
| Subject | Raspberries Reunion without Scott McCarl |
| Date | Tue, 21 Sep 2004 17:16:58 EDT |
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The Raspberries Reunion slated for late November (Thanksgiving weekend, in
Cleveland) will unfortunately NOT include Scott McCarl. There has been no tour
announcement (as of September 21st). The official announcement should be
released soon. The band will consist of Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley and
Jim Bonfanti. Some additional musicians and background singers will also
perform with the band. For the record; the above band is NOT the original
Raspberries. It may be the group that recorded the first 3 albums and most fans think
was the original Raspberries. There were actually 3 versions of Raspberries.
The original Raspberries were: Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Jim Bonfanti and John
Aleksic. This incarnation played “Live gigs†for approximately six months in
1970-1971. In fact, John Aleksic is listed as a band member on the unreleased
Raspberries Greatest Hits from 2000. This is the ultra rare release with the 4
original demo recordings. The CD was scrapped; although some promo copies
were distributed and the BMG CD club sold a handful of these also. John is
credited with bass guitar and lead vocals on that CD. Raspberries version 2
consisted of: Eric, Wally Jim and Dave Smalley. Dave joined after returning from the
Army. Aleksic left the band at this time. Raspberries version 3 consisted of:
Eric, Wally, Scott McCarl and Michael McBride.
Here is a brief background how Scott McCarl joined the Raspberries in late
1973. McCarl sent Eric a six-song demo tape of original songs he had recorded.
Eric Carmen was so impressed with the songwriting and vocals; he asked Scott to
join Raspberries. Scott became the new bass player; replacing David Smalley.
Michael McBride became the new drummer replacing Jim Bonfanti. The new
Raspberries went into the studio in early 1974 and recorded their best album:
STARTING OVER.
-Some high points from the STARTING OVER album era include:
-Voted 1974 Album of the Year – Rolling Stone magazine
-“Overnight Sensation†was voted a top 100 Single from the past 20 yrs –
Rolling Stone
-McCarl played bass & acoustic guitars, sang lead and background vocals on
the album.
-Scott co wrote 5 of the 11 songs on the record.
-Scott sang lead vocals on the supercharged: “Play Onâ€, melancholy ballad: “
Rose
Coloured Glasses†and rocking: “Cryâ€.
-He and Wally Bryson shared lead vocals on the Party rave-up: “Hands on Youâ€.
-Raspberries performed on Don Kirshners Rock Concert in October 1974. McCarl
sang lead vocals on the Concert closer: “Play Onâ€. (This was very rare lead
vocal exception. Eric Carmen sang lead vocals on all the songs).
Why is Scott McCarl not involved? Because one of the band members does NOT
believe Raspberries existed after the Side 3 album. He has been quoted in past
interviews’ stating: “the Starting Over band was NOT Raspberriesâ€. Imagine
ex-Eagle Bernie Leadon proclaiming the Eagles did NOT exist after the “One of
these Nights†album? Both Leadon and the ex-Raspberry quit their respective bands
and the groups’ carried on with new members. Both groups recorded excellent
albums: Raspberries - Starting Over and The Eagles - Hotel California with new
members. Imagine former Eagles members trivializing Joe Walsh and Timothy B.
Schmitt’s contributions? Because they weren’t on the early Eagles recordings.
So why is Scott McCarl: the former Raspberries bassist, singer and songwriter
not on the Reunion Tour? Why would the band use additional musicians to fill
out the sound…. when they could have a real Raspberry play? Why would the
band use: an ex-Gary Lewis and the Playboys guitarist….but pass on an official
Raspberries member? That’s what this longtime Fan and many other Raspberries
Fans are still wondering?
Don Manderfeld
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