Watch

I have been a big fan of Seatrain ever since listening over and over and over to thier second album released in 1970 called simply "Seatrain". 13 Questions is a classic song, and Seatrain's version of Orange Blossom Special is the best I've ever heard (RIchard Green's fiddle work is magic). At the time I thought this was thier first album - it can be confusing because thier first album (not counting the one released as a Blues Project album) has almost the same title (Sea Train) but isn't nearly as strong as the second 1970 release. I bought thier third album, "Marblehead Messenger" the week it came out but somehow missed out on "Watch" in those early days. As I was preparing to see Peter Rowan live next month I started reminiscing about how great Seatrain was and decided to expand my knowlege by purchasing it. I still have to listen more times but so far I would say it is another solid album but not quite up to par with their two best. This might be my familiarity or it might be a fact - I'll be working to figure that out over the upcoming listens!

I've never understood why this band didn't make it. By the time this album was cut, Peter Rowen had left, but they didn't miss him nearly as much as I thought they would. The opening cut of this record grabs you and pulls you in in a way that Marblehead Messenger never did, and it's cool in there. They had a dedicated lyricist and he did them proud on this one. I had it on vinyl and missed it so much that, when my turntable gave out, I needed to replace it. If you've looking for something different that you've never heard, give this one a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

V good remastering for completists only previous albums are more consistent

I love this album, had it on LP and lost it in a NAVY move.....

Have had this album since its release in the 70's. Saw them live and have always enjoyed them.

Marin County's SEATRAIN made little impact in the UK and "Watch" - their 4th studio album and first/last for Warner Brothers in 1973 - ploughs a poor man's path between substandard America and England Dan and John Ford Coley. It's a strictly 3-star album – but it has at last been given a proper 5-star audio reissue by England's Beat Goes On. Here are the Californian details...UK released 27 January 2017 - "Watch" by SEATRAIN on Beat Goes On BGOCD 1262 (Barcode 5017261212627) is a straightforward CD Reissue of their 1973 9-track album on Warner Brothers Records that plays out as follows (39:56 minutes):1. Pack Of Fools [Side 1]2. Freedom Is The Reason3. Bloodshot Eyes4. We Are Children Too5. Abbeville Fair6. North Coast [Side 2]7. Scratch8. Watching The River Flow9. Flute ThingTracks 1 to 9 are their 4th studio album "Watch" - released March 1973 in the USA on Warner Brothers BS 2692 and Warner Brothers K 46222 in the UK. Engineered by Jay Messina and Produced by Buell Neidlinger - it failed to chart in either country.SEATRAIN was:ANDY KULBERG - Bass, Flute and Lead VocalsPETER WALSH - Guitar, Bass and VocalsLLOYD BASKIN - Keyboards, Clavinet and VocalsBILL ELLIOTT - Keyboards, Accordion and ARP SynthJULIO CORONADO - DrumsJIM ROBERTS - Lyrics, Vibes, IdeasGuests:Sha Na Na - Party Vocals on "North Coast"Sandra Lee - Duet Vocals on "Freedom Is The Reason"Bob Stuart on Tuba and Bill Keith on Banjo - "Bloodshot Eyes"The outer card slipcase is classy looking and the 16-page booklet affords lyrics, full musician credits and a new essay on the band's history by noted writer JOHN O'REGAN. He talks of their 2nd and 3rd albums on Capitol Records being produced by none other than George Martin of Beatles fame. But the big news for fans of this album (long since absent from any decent reissue) is stunning new audio care of a High Definition transfer from real tapes by BGO's resident Audio Engineer ANDREW THOMPSON. This CD sounds amazing and for lovers of the album will be a must buy.I wish I could say the same about the music. Of all the first four Seatrain albums that cluttered up bargain bins for decades - this non-charter was the most common and it’s painfully obvious why. Setting aside two wildly useless cover versions acting as filler on Side 2 - Bob Dylan's "Watching The River Flow" and Al Kooper's "Flute Thing" instrumental from his days with The Blues Project - the other seven band originals (lyrics by Jim Roberts) are insipid sub Americana tunes without the melodies to keep you interested. A genuine moment of Soulful Rock though comes in the form of the Kulberg/Roberts composition "Freedom Is The Reason" - but cheese like "We Are Your Children Too" and the cod Vaudeville of "Bloodshot Eyes" are hard to take. Lovers of funky instrumentals by Rock acts with a Soulful tip in them might like the hippy Flute and Bongo vibe of "Flute Thing" too.This is a beautiful sounding CD for sure - one in a long line from England's Beat Goes On. I just wish I could say the music was worth it. Still - fans of the album and Seatrain in general will absolutely need to own this...

I have just finished listening to the entire album again, too many times to count. My LP has so many scratches and nicks that I cannot wait to pick up the newly released CD version of this great album. I had the opportunity to speak with Andy Kulberg a few years ago. We talked about "Watch" and his fantastic version of "Flute Thing." Interesting enough, Andy never had the music for this song written. He promised to write down the music and, a week later, he faxed it to my attention from California. Even with Richard Greene and Peter Rowan gone, Andy manages to create another fusion masterpiece. I really enjoy "Pack of Fools" and "Watching the River Flow" which is a cover of Bob Dylan's hit. This album is a great addition to any collector of music from this era. Seatrain lives on!

If you know and love the popular self-titled Seatrain album of 1970 (not to be confused with the self-titled Seatrain album of 1969 which is, IMO, inferior in many ways) then you must have this. Tragically though, the CD is currently unavailable from anywhere. I think it is the equal of the aforementioned album in every way. Those who loved Song of Job, 13 Questions, etc... will LOVE Northcoast, and my personal favorite, and only instrumental track on the album, Flute Thing. This album is a must have for that track alone.You wouldn't have read this far if you weren't into the Jazz/Rock/Bluegrass/Blues fusion sound that was inventing itself in the 60s and 70s. This album is an integral part of that history and needs to be available today. I own it on vinyl and periodically record it to tape. I have worn out three such tapes already. Peace through Music... DM