Gary U.S Bonds, On the Line
Dave Hjortland | Published on 9/26/2023
Gary U.S Bonds, On the Line
By Dave Hjortland
Gary U.S. Bonds was best known as a rhythm and blues singer, and achieved his greatest success in the late ‘50’s and early 60’s. He had a #1 hit in 1961 with the song “Quarter to Three.” In 1963 he was the opening act for a Beatles tour in Europe. His career languished for many years, until a longtime fan by the name of Bruce Springsteen took an interest in helping to revive it. This album, and another called Dedication (1981), were produced by The Boss and Steve Van Zandt, and feature them and the E Street Band as supporting musicians. I mean, how much cred do you need?
This is a Bonds album, no question about that, but the presence and support of Springsteen, Clarence Clemons & company, and Van Zandt are very much in evidence. Many of the songs could almost – if not quite – come off an album from any of that august crew. The result is great stuff – very real, very earnest, driving music that swings between soul and rock in places and combines the two in others. Call it soul-rock. Even the slower-tempo numbers got soul.
And oh, those up-tempo numbers! Listen to “Angelyne,” “Hold On (To What You Got),” and “Rendezvous.” You won’t be falling asleep. And then there’s my favorite, “Soul Deep.” Hearing just that one song on a friend’s stereo (something like 35 years ago) motivated me to acquire and explore the album.
The Dedication album is also good, but On the Line is definitely the better of the two IMO. The two albums are combined on a 2009 CD that is billed as “remastered.” I have not heard it, but I’d bet that it’s probably pretty good. For digital, that is. (LP & CD, EMI, 1982)