April Wine - Electric Jewels (Aquarius Records) 1973

Biography April Wine formed in late 1969 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but vocalist/guitarist Myles Goodwyn, guitarist David Henman, drummer Ritchie Henman, and bassist Jimmy Henman soon moved to Montreal. "Fast Train," their first hit, appeared in 1971, the same year as the self-titled debut album. Jimmy Henman left soon after and was replaced by Jimmy Clench. The next year brought the band's first Canadian number one single, "You Could Have Been a Lady," from On Record. David and Ritchie Henman left before the next album, Electric Jewels, could be recorded; they were replaced by Jerry Mercer and Gary Moffet. After April Wine Live (1974) and Stand Back (1975), Steve Lang replaced Clench, who left to join Bachman-Turner Overdrive and later Loverboy. In 1976, The Whole World's Goin' Crazy became the first Canadian album to go platinum and their resulting tour was the first to gross one million dollars. Forever for Now appeared in 1976, followed by April Wine Live at the El Mocambo in 1977. Guitarist Brian Greenway was added that same year, making the band a sextet. After 1978's First Glance and 1979's Harder...Faster, "Just Between You and Me" became April Wine's biggest U.S. hit. The single (one of three Top 40 American singles by the band) propelled 1981's Nature of the Beast to platinum record status. Power Play followed in 1982, and 1984's Animal Grace was their last album. Myles Goodwyn recorded his first self-titled solo album in 1988. Four years later, all the original members regrouped for a Canadian tour, which convinced them to resume recording. "If You Believe in Me," the band's first single in eight years, was followed by 1993's Attitude.

About Electric Jewels With April Wine's third release, the band was just beginning to make a real name for itself, thanks to "You Could Have Been a Lady"'s Top 40 marking on the charts the previous year. Electric Jewels didn't spark a hit, although the power-driven guitar punch of "Weeping Widow" gained a moderate amount of radio play in Canada, as did the semi-ballad "Lady Run, Lady Hide." This album, like most of April Wine's early material, consisted of a three-tiered formula; two or three strong tracks, two or three so-so rock and rollers or ballads, and two or three unnecessary time fillers. As far as the band's lineup goes, both David and Ritchie Henman had left, replaced by guitarist Gary Moffet, and Gerry Mercer, who took over the drumming duties -- and Moffet's playing does give April Wine an added boost, which is noticeable on a number of cuts. "I Can Hear You Callin'" and "Just Like That" show the greatest potential outside of "Weeping Widow" and "Lady Run, Lady Hide," but both Goodwyn and the rest of the band were still experimenting with their writing, and, more importantly, how heavy of a rock band they were going to be. When all is said and done, the better tracks from Electric Jewels and the two albums that precede it can best be heard on most of April Wine's compilations. allmusic.com

Tracklist
01.Weeping Widow 3:57
02.Just Like That 3:12
03.Electric Jewels 6:01
04.You Opened My Eyes 4:52
05.Come On Along 4:31
06.Lady Run, Lady Hide 3:01
07.I Can Ear You Callin' 3:31
08.Cat's Claw 4:48
09.The Band Has Just Begun 4:12

Line-up
Myles Goodwyn - lead vocals, guitars, mandolin, piano, mellotron
Jim Clench - vocals, bass, arp
Gary Moffet - guitars, vocals
Jerry Mercer - percussion, vocals