Classic Album War:West, Bruce & Laing 'Why Dontcha' vs Beck, Bogert & Appice 'Beck, Bogert & Appice'

[@NorthernBandit1]

Had both of these LP's when they 1st came out...what one can't do is pull these songs apart...they are Albums. Whole front to back listening. Rock F...in out.

[@adz87]

A war which only hardcore rock fans will know of. I still cannot decide who I prefer. But who cares, I love them as much as eachother for different reasons. Thanks for shining light in this dispute we all internally struggle with. Brilliant video, really! Cheers Mr. Tranquility.

[@daisywrabbit]

such a natural matchup, just begs for comparison. both great sentimental favorites.

[@thekivster]

They're both supergroups, power trios, debuts, 2 members from one band, and finished with a live album. Interesting how alike they are.

[@daisywrabbit]

Also, both bands are two Americans and a Brit.

[@thekivster]

@@daisywrabbit good point!

[@happilyeggs4627]

Absolutely sterling musicians all. I have to say Laing is possibly the most underrated drummer ever. For me he sits in my top five drummers.

[@dhala54]

Totally agree!

[@Mynamesalexa]

Saw them twice Both xs Philadelphia Spectrum Fleetwood Mac Spirit West Bruce & Laing Spring ,72 Foghat West Bruce & Laing Feb 1973 The James Gang were supposed to play but got snowed in NYC so both bands played long sets

[@michaelkoszowski3716]

Philly ! ..👍....loved the old spectrum , saw many concerts and wrestling matches in the 80's . Still smell the stale beer & pot everywhere after all these years ...

[@vicprovost2561]

Awesome bills, those were the days. 🎸

[@plasticgreenhead2273]

West, Bruce & Laing: Live & kickin' is the greatest thing ever for me. Power blues at its finest. Thanks Dad.

[@georgeinfante1106]

Good words on bands

[@chiappettamark]

Very Nice. BLT is a strong play-through too.

[@sanjayjani8099]

I was hoping you’d do these two albums. Killer albums, love them both

[@marcelob4132]

This is the toughest album war yet. But Jeff Beck makes the difference

[@keep_it_tidy56]

Great battle, thanks Pete. You nailed the difference for me by saying the highlights on WBL are better than the highlights on BBA, couldn’t agree more. Remember buying these two albums around the same time, listened to WBL far more than BBA at the time.

[@chrisheise2912]

Great records! Heavy blues rock songs that should be played at maximum volume. I was hoping for a better review Pete. Maybe on a different day you might like them more.

[@JeffYoungTube]

"Carmine Appice... nothing more needs to be said about him" TRUER words have never been spoken, pal! ROFL

[@independenceltd.]

Why Dontcha may have had a chance if it had better production. But it's damn near impossible to beat the rhythm section of Bogert & Appice. BBA for me.

[@russdavies9686]

This is tough but I think I'd go West Bruce & Laing.

[@jellison7]

Two great, underappreciated trios! Thanks so much for presenting this :)

[@spaghetti.lee-69]

Wow Pete, I've gotta commend you for pulling real obscure albums lately, Leaf Hound, Cactus, Sir Lord Baltimore, Beck- Bogart-Appice,. Yeah man!! How about Lucifer's Friend??? Thanks Spaghetti Lee..

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

LF is coming soon!!

[@tomfisher2103]

Had a friend get me that first LF album. ....it's killer, love it.

[@rolandparent4360]

Agree with most of your criticism on these two albums! I also wish Rod Stewart was singing on BBA, I love Lady, Superstition, Livin alone and I'm so proud! On West, Bruce & Laing, I love Why doncha, The doctor, like Pleasure and Pollution. Saw Corky Laing on stage who is very animated and fun to watch with WB&L. Always loved Jack's vocals bass and harp playing! I have to say the better Album, in my opinion, is BBA!

[@sammybeck7794]

Come on now Pete, this is a hard one..... I fold

[@vicprovost2561]

Love Jeff Beck but West, Bruce and Laing ended up on my turntable more than BB & A. Love is Worth the Blues is one of the best ever, crunching heavy blues/rock songs Leslie ever made. Great, underrated albums for me.

[@mikeschrammel1790]

Totally agree with you on this battle Pete. While both bands had Stellar line ups they lacked a little compositionally and as you mentioned the vocals were a tad weak.When the tracks work , they are as exciting as hell. Still a fun listen.

[@patricksullivan9452]

Great battle from Carmine's drum work in Superstition to Leslie's screaming vocals in Why Dontcha I hold both of these albums in very high esteem. For me they are both just to great to make a call one way or the other. Both are incredible albums that I love dearly.

[@barriem5318]

Totally agree. WBL is a kick ass record.

[@MBonfire1]

This is the perfect album war matchup. Both "name supergroups" who did better stuff elsewhere, both flamed out quickly and they were around at the same time. Both albums are good but the best song is Why Dontcha. WBL had better songwriting but neither could stand up to old pal Eric Clapton's Derek and the Dominos who proved to be the real superstar.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Good idea and video! WBL is overall better idea...love BBA but Beck seemed to not want to be fully involved...I agree with the overall consensus of your assessments. BBA plus Rod Stewart would of been huge for little...

[@cstinedrum]

in consideration of what their labels were looking for at the time...seems they were trying to give us the next cream...like both albums for the time they came out..Jack and Leslie also had Felix Pappallardi in common with each other as well as Peter Brown.... Songs for a Tailor was a hot item ;; would have been cool to see what Jeff,Jack and Carmine would have come up with..Carmine played with Stanley Clark too...so much great stuff

[@robbienewporter9281]

Seen both groups many times. Jeff Beck is the #1 differents in both bands. Carmine and Bogart R the best rhythm section ever in Rock and Roll. Grew up with Pigeons ( Later became The Vanilla Fudge) in Newport, R.I.

[@dinkjs]

You need to do a video with your wife. I am so curious on her take on your obsession/passion of music and your collection of music!!!

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

that would be very interesting...I can tell you she doesn't share my passion! LOL

[@dinkjs]

Still it’s always great to get the spouses point of view to the craziness of music love

[@vincentcoleman1038]

A tough choice but I have to go with Beck, Bogert & Appice. Living Alone is a hoot.

[@jennystryker2967]

Lets rearrange the group. Beck /West/Bruce/Appice. Just think what that might have been.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Mighty!!!

[@tarkus522]

A little off topic but how about an album war of 2 groups that are often seen as wanna-be's of 2 more famous groups? I'm referring to Triumvirat (ELP) and Star Castle (Yes). I'll let you pick the albums as I'm no Star Castle expert.

[@bongolong]

I too would like to see that!

[@vmat1000]

I was given West, Bruce And Laing, given to me as a gift for really no occasion. They just thought i'd like it. I didn't know it was out. BBA i bought used in Russian River on vinyl from Holland of all places when it was still a relatively new release.. Both good but WB&L wins this for. me.

[@tomgarb6302]

West Bruce & Liang definitely, great band, had a bit of variety. Although the followup whatever turns you on is better

[@larrynolletti4594]

Leslie West...all day long.....the tone...the balls...the voice....Beck was a master guitarist....he blew away everyone....but he just simply didn't have great songs.....West Bruce and Laing kicked royal ass....especially live.....!!!!!

[@tomfisher2103]

Love Mountain, anything with Leslie West peeks my interest. "Blood of the Sun"

[@SuperStrik9]

Beck, Bogert & Appice wins this for me.

[@haldumille5594]

WBL was a very good album. I never thought much of the BBA album...

[@brucefranklin6295]

Why Don'tcha,The Doctor and Love is Worth the Blues are all heavy dirty blues rock the way I like it.Beck may be the superior guitarist, but I prefer the West,Bruce and Laing album. Love West's nasty guitars and vocals.That tips it for me.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

Cap A says it would have been much better if it had been ‘Bucky, Bogert and Appice’.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Amazing line up of musicians on both albums. Difficult to pick who had the more talented line up. My own opinion is that the songs are a little bit better on WBL. I also agree with Pete that the vocals on WBL are better.

[@tommypwood672]

I think its Appi ce' emphasis on last consonant. Not apiece...he he..no biggy

[@Nightbreakereturns]

No contest battle for me. Pros and Cons in both albums, but I prefer Carmine Appice style against Corky Laing.

[@brucefranklin6295]

There is video of Carmine playing Mississippi Queen with Leslie West in '75 and it is a very weak performance compared to the powerhouse that Laing was.

[@Nightbreakereturns]

@@brucefranklin6295 Well, everyone had a bad night once in a lifetime :) For me, Appice had the biggest legacy in bands and his skills on the drumset were groundbreaking in those days...

[@brucefranklin6295]

@@Nightbreakereturns Can't disagree with those comments.Carmine was an excellent drummer. For Leslie West's style of dirty,heavy, blues rock,I think Corky Laing was the right guy.

[@spaghetti.lee-69]

How about 2 prog gems:: Pink Floyd- obscured by clouds VS CAN- Tago Mago...

[@megamaniac7402]

Better songs on WB&L in my opinion. "Third Degree" is epic.

[@NotTesting123]

I went and listened to Third Degree, never having heard it before. I must concur that it's epic. :)

[@davidryan6441]

This is a Difficult one....Anything Leslie West Did Was Ok in My Book....However Jeff Beck just drags you into the music,,,,Sitting on the fence on this one...Dead heat.. Ps Don't Forget To Return That Call.

[@peterbrickley6041]

Killer "shock waves" vrs. Backwater "revelations

[@johndgreer]

In opinion if you get rid of the song on Why Dontcha where Corkly Laing sings (Turn Me Over) you have a great album! I think it is a much better album then Pete gives it credit for. Love is Worth the Blues is one of my favorite rock blues songs of all time!

[@caryrodda]

Not really a copout. I would have called it a draw too. Saw BB&A live touring off this album in 73. Good show.

[@ricklabonte6790]

Hey Pete I have suggestion if you have albums war and you can't decide which is one is better musically then why don't you judge the album cover art as the way you can break the tie or a draw. When you give an album review in any of your topics you often discuss the album cover and cool packaging . Maybe that could help the decision. For example, Abbey Road VS Let It Bleed you couldn't decide musically however you might like the Beatles album cover more than the Rolling Stones so you can say it was a draw musically but winner is Beatles because as a package the art work is better. What do you think about that? By the way for this albums War I would declare BBA a hair over W, B , L

[@j.resihead1835]

I felt that both albums were pretty weak but if I had to pick one it would be West, Bruce and Laing. I dunno.

[@tonyjambor1984]

Why Dontcha is my pick for the battle. Strong album with good guitar playing. Beck, Bogert and Appice is just ok and find kinda boring in spots.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Neither album was those musicians best work.

[@patrickmichels7888]

Rainbow rising vs purple machine head

[@rickblackers88]

I prefer both!!WBL more roots BBA more modernety at the time.

[@markrushton1516]

BBA all the time. Jeff Beck - enough said

[@Lisztomania1]

That is almost nuclear war/battle

[@rancid216]

Have to say that's a tie.

[@mikebarker7626]

Leslie west

[@j20man9]

BBA wins by a note

[@vinnieoskokie]

tim and camine were great harmony singers in vanilla fudge. but both of these bands were most likely rushed to get product out and start touring right away. they never have a chance to really gel. booze and drugs wrecked both bands. i like b.b.a. in the studio and w.b.l. on the live album better. too much potential not realized unfortunately.

[@TheOneAboveAll]

West, Bruce & Laing. Didn't like the other one.

[@GUR-ARYEA]

Enjoy my youtube content bro

[@claxton1959]

Fof me..this one goes to BBA

[@ShempDavidNiven]

I found both albums/bands to be seriously overrated and underpowered. But the nod goes to WBL not so much because Jack Bruce and Fatsby are on vocals as it's because Tim Bogert isn't anywhere *near* a microphone. (Great bassplayer - _atrocious_ singer.)