The Burrito Brothers have a long history and we chatted to them here at the magazine back in time! Formed in 1968 as The Flying Burrito Brothers, members have definitely come and gone. What we have now is a settled reinvention of the band, recording, playing shows and enjoying life. I think, with this band, you have the original idea and it just keeps on going, whoever is at the helm.
With me back from my holiday and relaxing on the late summer August bank holiday Monday I plucked this one from my intray and had a listen for you!
First of all, over to the press release:
“When Chris P. James and the Burrito Brothers say “time machine,” they’re not kidding around. Using the same AI wizardry that reunited The Beatles with John Lennon, they’ve invited the late Gram Parsons to sing lead on two tracks—the ultimate cosmic country séance. This rhinestone-studded DeLorean makes stops across five decades of musical history: from Charles Mingus jazz motifs opening their reimagined “A Whiter Shade of Pale” to the prog-psych odyssey “Tales of Desire” that wouldn’t sound out of place on a King Crimson album. Original Flying Burrito Brothers Jon Corneal and Ian Dunlop climb aboard for “Used To Do,” guitar slinger Bob Hatter sets fire to “Whiskey Woman,” and somewhere in the musical multiverse, Timothy B. Schmit smiles as they gently land with his “Right Where We Belong.” Time travel has never sounded this good, nor has country-rock ever stretched this far into the future while keeping one boot firmly planted in its glorious past.”
My Review:
“The Magic Time Machine of Love” has 14 songs and it lasts just over 52 minutes. It came out on August 1, so it has been out for a few weeks now.
Intro: Gram Parsons shares his ideas on the band.
“A Whiter Shade of Pale” opens with piano, harmony and a bluesy/gospel style of track. I liked it as it is a fusion of ideas and it took me back to those classic American sounds of the early seventies.
“Captain Bobby Stout” has a dialogue opening before a heavy trippy psychedelic style of sound takes over. Not as immediate as the opener, the track took me a bit toward early Deep Purple.
“Pride of Man” is lighter on the ears than the previous number, it cruises better and I could happily drive along to this one. I enjoyed the guitar sound and the song has a positive Gospel message.
“Peace Song” very much follows the title, a peaceful soft rock style track that would sit happily on an easy listening radio show. The little ‘ooh ooh’ back vocals help deliver a generally uplifting little track that questions what on earth is happening to us all.
“Used to Do” was a track that I immediately quite liked. It reminded me of the type of song that would play in my family home (where my Dad would play Elvis or Cliff Richard) and it’s what I consider to be a perfectly pleasant listen.
“Gram Praises” is a reflection from Gram that lasts 37 seconds, a little thought on the band!
“More and More” sways along in a gentle country fashion, it is easy to listen to and its a cheerful little earful!
“What Goes On” has that early rock and roll feel. It was, of course, a Beatles track originally sung by Ringo on “Rubber Soul.” This cover retains the original feel and is a solid addition to the album as a whole.
“Time Machine” is a slow, late sixties feeling track with a touch of the psychedelic. I liked it when it switched direction mid track and gave it some energy that the opening section lacked.It has a solid drum sound too!
“Whiskey Woman” – after a story opening we have some late sixties/early seventies style vocals and smoking guitar sounds. It’s heavy ish and a song for playing late at night after a drink (or three).
“Tales of Desire” opens with a drum beat before slipping into a dreamy guitar sound. This is one of those late album tracks, it can deliver a punch in the heavier bass beat, but it didn’t really connect with me.
“Number 19” I liked, it has a great vocal feel, it moves quickly and it is radio friendly. I’d happily listen to this one again. It’s a good listen.
“Right Where We Belong” closes the album with a confidently swaying number. Personally, I’d have closed with “Number 19.”
In the end, “The Magic Time Machine of Love” isn’t a record that reinvents the wheel, but it doesn’t really need to. The Burrito Brothers have always been about carrying the flame rather than chasing trends, and this latest incarnation does exactly that. It’s a warm, confident collection that tips its hat to the past while gently nudging into the present. For longtime fans, it’s another chapter in a story that refuses to end; for newcomers, it’s an introduction to a legacy that has rolled on since 1968—and shows no signs of stopping.
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You can stream music by The Burrito Brothers here
By Stevie Ritson