Downtown Tonight

Racing Cars....I discovered Racing Cars during one of my many discovery tours of 'unknown' artists.... back when I bought albums for their covers in the 70's. This album was one of the more pleasant surprises for me. The sound was fresh and original. I was an individual with 'taste'. and never did what others did. I had a cupboard full of odd thongs (Pluggers for americans). I always wore a different color on each foot. Racing Cars was a band with something different that my friends enjoyed but couldn't find themselves. I still have the album on vinyl. It is in the same category as Libra, April Wine and others. Enjoy!!! I do :-)

This album has been one of my favorites since the late 70s and when I decided to track down the CD version, I decided to get all the other Racing Cars stuff that I hadn't heard - while all the other albums have their good moments, this is still by far their masterpiece - every track a classic (crank Four Wheel Drive when you get a chance!)

Awesome

This album should have produced three hit singles. The sublime Horses track was the only one that made a lot of airplay (thanks to a Jane Fonda movie it themed for)The style is a tough one to pin down, somewhere in the 70s country/rock genre (a la Eagles) with a bit of soulful blues (Andrew Strong/Commitments sans horns). The cover art is very misleading - nothing art deco/1930's about the band or the music (From memory the movie was set in the Depression).The album as a whole is patchy with strong, good and filler tracks - I'd say three of each. The stand out tracks - Downtown Tonight, Ladee-lo and They Shoot Horses Don't They? - are all slower tempo. Ladee-lo as good as any 70s rock ballad and Horses is surreal, sublime and still sounds superb today. The faster tune have their moments Calling the Tune and Moonshine Fandango in particular.Morty's voice should have made him a star, he also gets 8/9 of the song writing credits. The musicianship is competent with some excellent moments on lead and slide guitar(Pass the Bottle). The rhythm section tries a few tricks but it sounds fairly ordinary 25 years on.So what happened to Racing Cars and where did they come from anyway? - I can only guess. Downtown Tonight has the promise of a killer album to follow, but... My guess is that they lost the battle with Disco, Punk and New Wave in the late 70s. Too Bad.A worthy if not essential album.

Like many people I had only heard the excellent and unique They Shoot Horses Don't They, so I approached the album with some uncertainty. I was not disappointed with any of the other 8 tracks, the standout being the title song, Downtown Tonight.Should I come across any other of their albums, I will be keen to hear more.

This is one outstanding piece of work. Along the lines of the Little River Band, this is a very smooth CD. I have been listening to this since I bought it on cassette initially, and have worn it out twice since 1977. Also outstanding is the out of print "Weekend Rendezvous", if you find it on any format, don't hesitate to buy it as well,you won't be sorry!

When I first heard this album back in '76, it held me spellbound right from the start. I was impressed from the opening track "Calling The Tune", to the very last notes of the closing movie theme track "They Shoot Horses Don't they?". There was obviously a lot of careful thought and hard work put into the production of such an album that I believe was ahead of its time. Every track compliments the other, following as though each track were linked to tell a story. This album will always be a classic in my memory. I rate so strongly because I believe it to be a brilliant piece of workmanship from a brilliant team of musicians.

This is a band I frequently saw live mainly @ The Finchley Torrington but also at the Marquee where they broke the house attendance record (to be beaten by Nine Below Zero). I only had a cassette copy recorded by my best mate Kevin (RIP) via a mic from his record player (complete with my future wife talking aloud in the background!). I bought the last remaining CD copy with both versions of They Shoot Horses.... on the recommendation of an unlucky purchaser who only got the single version on his CD. This brings back so many happy memories of packed houses listening to Monty's great voice, the twin guitars, the solid rhythm section. A great CD - why the hell did Classic Rock give the re-issued CD a bum review several years ago! Highly recommended.

I bought this album simply because I reheard, "They Shoot Horses Don't They" and thoroughly enjoyed each track - "Get Out And Get It" and "Ladee-Lo" are another two that are good.I bought the album because I used to have the album on cassttee [you can maybe read about them in an encyclopedia, kids] but that's long-gone. I also bought it for TSHDT and discovered that's a track on a compilation already on my MP3 player..

Bit run of the mill light rock (?)...bought it for 'they shoot horses don't they?' track... a great record! But their only great one!

havent heard this for years,,,still a classic album,,every song is a belter...very funky 70s stuff,,kinda cross between little feet and the eagles,,,,its a long lost classic

Excellent blast from the past, brings back happy memories!

Classic album from the 70's South Wales band Racing Cars. The Top 12 hit They Shoot Horses Don't They? is a fine single but the musicianship of these band members is amazing. Haunting melodies, the mood matched perfectly by Monty's voice and such quality music. Guys...you should have been big, really big.

I like this one a lot

a great cd by an underrated band - I had this album on cassette when it first came out and I love the whole album - 10/10

Very good cd well worth a listen brought back some good memories a very underrated band

Happy days. Seventies British rock as you remember it - no more need be said - plus the hit single. The lyrics are terrible of course, but that's part of the charm.

Highly recommended

Excellent cd. Fresh as the day it was originally released.

Excellent album

love it

I loved this album when it first came out but wore a deep groove in my vinyl copy. Listening on CD I have to say it's even better than I remember.