Pacific Gas & Electric – PG&E (1971 / 2007 Wounded Bird Records)

 

Biography
by Sean Westergaard
The seeds of Pacific Gas & Electric were sown in Los Angeles back in 1966 when self-taught guitarist Tom Marshall formed Bluesberry Jam, whose ranks included drummer Charlie Allen. Allen turned out to be such a fine vocalist that he ended up becoming the frontman; his drum chair was filled by Adolfo de la Parra in 1968. Later that year, de La Parra left to join Canned Heat, replacing Frank Cook who then joined Bluesberry Jam. After adding guitarist Glenn Schwartz and bassist Brent Block later in 1968, the group changed their name to Pacific Gas & Electric.
Their first album, Get It On, was released by Kent in 1968, but failed to make much of an impact. However, following their appearance at the Miami Pop Festival in late 1968, Pacific Gas & Electric signed with Columbia, who released Pacific Gas & Electric in 1969. Their next album, Are You Ready, supplied their first hit, the title track, which made it into the Top 20 in the summer of 1970.
Despite this success, all the bandmembers left, forcing Charlie Allen to build a new Pacific Gas & Electric around him. Enter guitarist Ken Utterback, bassist Frank Petricca, Ron Woods on drums, Jerry Aiello on keyboards, trumpet player Stanley
Abernathy, sax players Alfred Gallegos and Virgil Gonsalves, and percussionist Joe Lala. Around this time, the Pacific Gas & Electric Utility Company asked the band to change their name, which was shortened to PG&E, also the title of their 1971 album. They also appeared in and provided music for the Otto Preminger film Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon starring Liza Minnelli.
After 1972 or so, PG&E basically turned into a solo Charlie Allen vehicle. They released Starring Charlie Allen on Dunhill in 1973, then called it quits.

Tracks:

1 Rock and Roller’s Lament
2 Recall
3 One More River to Cross
4 Death Row #172
5 Short Dogs and Englishmen
6 See the Monkey Run
7 The Time Has Come (To Make Your Peace)
8 Thank God for You Baby
9 When the Sun Shines

Musicians:

Charlie Allen:   Vocals
Stanley Abernathy:    Trumpet
Jerry Aiello:      Organ
The Blackberries:    Vocals (Background)
Alfred Gallegos:   Sax (Tenor)
Anne Blackford Garner:   Cover Design
Virgil Gonsalves:     Baritone
Joe Lala:   Conga, Timbales
Frank Petricca:   Bass
Ken Utterback:    Guitar
Ron Woods:    Drums

Delaney Bramlett:     Producer

Pacific Gas & Electric – PG&E (1971 / 2007 Wounded Bird Records)

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