The origins of
Songs of Pure Harmony (2001) date back to the summer of 1974 and a live radio simulcast on KFML-FM from the intimate confines of the Ebbits Field club in Denver, CO. As such, copies of this July 3 gig have been in circulation for quite some time via industrious homemade recordings derived from the broadcast. Immediately differentiating the two is the sound quality -- which is thoroughly excellent here -- as well as the absence of those pesky cassette tape generated flips. One of the best things about this performance is getting to hear the six-man lineup of
Pure Prairie League -- circa their third long-player
Two Lane Highway (1975). All the better is the appearance of co-founder
Craig Fuller -- who had already officially split -- yet was included during this tour. With the addition of former
Sacred Mushroom member
Larry Goshorn (bass/vocals), the
League unveil an added facet to their vocals and fresh country-rock instrumentation. Yet when compared to the likes of
the Eagles,
America or the Southern rock styling of
Lynyrd Skynyrd, their approach is notably more traditional, leaning toward a decidedly bluegrass and country & western feel. The
League draw heavily from their 1972 self-titled debut, the follow-up
Bustin' Out (1972) and looking forward, their humor-filled cover of
Nick Gravenites "I'll Change Your Flat, Merle" (note: called "I'll Fix Your Flat, Merle") which would appear on the aforementioned
Two Lane Highway. Speaking of which, the parody is then backed by a sublime update of
Merle Haggard's "It's Not Love, But It's Not Bad." Their reading of "I've Just Seen a Face" recalls the
Dillards' version with its breakneck speed and complex multi-vocal harmonies. The same holds for the
Jesse Colin Young cut "Sugar Baby." In particular,
John David Call's pedal steel guitar work distinguishes
Pure Prairie League from the originals. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide