Good To Know: The Beckies Story
Omnivore, 2025
9/10
Listen to Good To Know: The Beckies Story
There was just one album from the Michael Brown fronted band The Beckies, and this 1976 classic returns with a bonus disc of previous unissued demos.
Disc 1, the original album, opens with the melodic spirit of “Right By My Side”, where Scott Trusty’s soaring voice is met with Mayo James McAllister’s crunchy guitar, and “River Bayou” follows with Brown’s flowing keys complementing the heartfelt singing and Harry Lookofsky’s sophisticated violin.
Further into the first half, “Other Side Of Town” benefits much from Gary Hodgden’s punchy drumming, while “Can’t Be Alone” uses firms keys and Mark Abel’s skilled bass in a bit of a louder climate that’s certainly not short on pop ideas, too.
“Run Jenny Run” finishes out the original album with an energetic mood via the bouncy rhythm section and sing-alongs, and “Blue Monday” leads the back half off with some rawness and adventurous guitar bouts.
Further on, “Lonely Times” is an emotive moment with a cautious demeanor that’s relatable, and “She Wrote A Song (Version 2)” arrives much later with Lookofsky’s well timed strings, thumping drums and rugged guitars that suit Trusty’s powerful pipes.
It’s pretty safe to say that The Beckies existed at the wrong time for mainstream appeal. Their record label didn’t do them any favors in the area of promotion, either, and Brown didn’t want to tour. During the recording of their follow up album they disbanded, but this reissue proves that their power-pop ways have aged very well, and the bonus material is further proof that their short lived existence is certainly worth revisiting.
Travels well with: The Left Banke- Strangers On A Train; The Young Fresh Fellows- The Fabulous Sounds Of The Pacific Northwest