THE ISLEY BROTHERS-GO FOR YOUR GUNS.

dereksmusicblog ♦ May 19, 2012 ♦ 1 Comment

THE ISLEY BROTHERS-GO FOR YOUR GUNS.

Some time ago, I wrote about The Isley Brothers 1976’ album platinum certified album Harvest For the World, which was released during the hottest period of The Isley Brothers’ career. This hugely successful run of albums started with the release of 1973s 3 + 3 which was also certified platinum. Following this, was 1974s Live It Up, which was certified gold and was the first of five consecutive Isley Brothers’ albums to reach number one in the US R&B Charts. The Heat Is On, released in 1975, became their most successful album, reaching number one in the US Billboard 200 and US R&B Charts, while being certified platinum. Next came the release of 1976s platinum certified Harvest For the World. However, the album that followed Harvest For the World, would surpass everything that had preceded it. Released in 1977, Go For Your Guns, not only reach number one in the US R&B Charts, but contained a number one single The Pride, and was certified double platinum. After I’ve told you about the background to Go For Your Guns, which was rereleased in 2011 by BBR Records, I’ll tell you about the music on the album.

Following the success of their previous album Harvest For the World, the pressure must have been on The Isley Brothers to produce another commercially successful album. This would be a new start for The Isley Brothers, with the older Isley Brothers taking a back seat. One thing didn’t change though, with the seven songs co-written by the five Isley Brothers and Chris Jasper. For this new start, the music changed, with the band moving to New York. 

Rather than move to New York City, Ernie, Marvin and Chris Jasper decided to relocate to Woodstock, in upstate New York. Recording would take place at the famous Bearsville Studios. Previously, many artists, including The Band, had recorded albums at Bearsville. The Band had recorded Stage Fright, Cahoots and Moondog Matinee at Bearsville.

Once settled in Bearsville, The Isley Brother experienced the much lauded special “vibe” that the studio was famous for. They also discovered a studio with cutting-edge equipment. However, one thing missing from their usual Los Angeles’ studio was the latest synths. This meant Chris Jasper had to bring his own ARP-2600. With his trusty synth in place, Chris and The Isley Brothers soon settled down to recording the seven songs they’d written for their new album. Soon, Bearsville became The Isley Brothers’ favorite studio. They recorded the seven songs that would become Go For Your Guns there. Go For You Guns was The Isley Brothers fifteenth studio album, since their 1959 debut album Shout! Would it match the success of their previous albums, including 1976s Harvest For the World?

Before the release of Go For Your Guns in March 1977, The Pride (Parts 1 & 2) was the first single released from the album in February 1977. It would reach number sixty-three in the US Billboard 100, number thirty in the US Disco Charts and number one in the US R&B Charts. This was the third US R&B number one single of The Isley Brothers career, and first since Fight the Power (Part 1) in 1975. Go For Your Guns was released in March 1977, reaching number six in the US Billboard 200 and number one in the US R&B Charts, being certified double platinum. Livin’ In the Life was released as a single in May 1977, reaching number forty in the US Billboard 100 and number four in the US R&B Charts. Voyage To Atlantis, the third and final single released from the album, was released in October 1977, reaching number fifty in the US R&B Charts. Given how successful Go For You Guns was, this new Isley Brothers’ sound had been well received by fans. However, what’s different about the music on Go For You Guns?

Opening Go For You Guns is the most successful single released from the album, The Pride (Parts 1 & 2). It’s representative of their new sound, with a tougher, funkier sound with a dance-floor friendly sound and tempo. Wah-wah guitars and a funky rhythm section combine, before Ronald delivers the song’s sociopolitical message. This is a warning shot to politicians, that without pride, people have no sense of belonging. Whispered backing vocals, keyboards and percussion augment the funk of the guitars and rhythm section, while there’s almost a disco beat throughout the track. With a combination of the disco beat and tempo, a tougher funkier sound and sociopolitical message, The Isley Brothers get album number fifteen of to a compelling, intriguing and irresistible start.

When you hear the guitar drift in as Footsteps In The Dark (Part 1 & 2) starts, immediately, you’re hooked. Then when Ronald’s tender, thoughtful vocal, accompanied by backing vocals, rhythm section, guitars and keyboards, you find yourself spellbound. Quite simply, this melancholy, wistful song is one easily, one of the best tracks on Go For You Guns. The Isley Brothers play around Ronald’s heartfelt vocal, on what’s a haunting, bewitching and beautiful track.

After the tenderness and beauty of the previous track, Tell Me When You Need It Again (Part 1 & 2) sees The Isley Brothers change tack. The sound is funkier, while Ronald’s vocal is impassioned, powerful and really soulful. Sizzling guitars soar above the arrangement, while the rhythm section add some tough funk accompanied by keyboards and percussion. Part of the track’s funky sound is due to Chris Jasper playing bass using a wah-wah pedal, which is really effective. Meanwhile, as Ronald delivers his vocal with emotion, power and passion, the other Isley Brothers add punchy backing vocals. When this fuller, funkier arrangement is combined with Ronald’s impassioned, soulful vocal the result is what The Isley Brothers do so well, fuse funk and soul seamlessly.

Climbin’ Up The Ladder (Part 1 & 2) is very different to the previous track. It has a much rockier sound, with screaming guitars opening the track, while Ronald’s growling vocal reflects this new, tougher sound. There’s still a modicum of funk present, but it plays second fiddle to the rocky sound. The rhythm section, guitars and keyboards combine, before the guitars kick loose, wailing and screaming, while drums rolls and fills compete. However, there’s more to this song than meets the eye. It’s about courage and meeting fear face on, akin to Climbin’ Up The Ladder (Parts 1 & 2). While this it’s another song with a message, it’s a song with a very different newer, harder, rocky sound, that’s very different to Summer Breeze and Harvest For the World. Having said that, it demonstrates a new, different side to The Isley Brothers and their music.

As Voyage To Atlantis opens, you’re wondering the direction the song is heading in. The tempo is slower, but crystalline, chiming guitars soar above the arrangement. Providing a contrast is Ronald’s vocal. It’s tender, emotive and beautiful, while the band play with a subtlety. This changes when the guitar drifts in, but in doing so, adds to the beauty and emotion of the track. Complimenting Ronald’s vocal are subtle backing vocals. They add to the beauty of this thoughtful, melancholy track, which to me is one of the highlights of Go For Your Guns.

Livin’ In the Life was the second single from Go For Your Guns. Again, it’s different from the preceding track, with more in common with Climbin’ Up The Ladder (Part 1 & 2). Both the vocal and arrangement have a bigger, and harder sound. Similarly, the arrangement has a much more electronic sound than other tracks. This is acknowledged by Chris Jasper in the sleeve-notes. Chugging and chiming guitars, clavinet, keyboards and the rhythm section are accompanied by constant handclaps. These handclaps play an important role in the track, as does Ronald’s powerful, grizzled vocal. It’s perfect for the arrangement, which has a similar tougher sound. Again, this track points to the new direction The Isley Brothers’ music was moving in, and given how successful Go For Your Guns was, fans very definitely approved of this new sound.

Closing Go For Your Guns was the title-track Go For Your Guns, which has a sound that’s not unlike the previous track. A driving rhythm section, searing, sizzling guitars, keyboards and percussion combine with constant handclaps. The tempo is quick, with a rocky guitar dominating the arrangement, before a powerful, short burst of a vocal enters. Like the track, it’s all too brief. After just two minutes, the track is over, just when I was really enjoying this new, rocky sound from The Isley Brothers. This is a tantalizing and delicious amuse bouche of a track, the perfect way to close Go For Your Guns.

While Go For Your Guns saw a change in The Isley Brothers’ music, their fans loved their new sound, so much so, that Go For Your Guns would go on to sell over a million toys and be certified platinum. Not only that, but The Pride (Parts 1 & 2), with its sociopolitical message, gave The Isley Brothers the third number one album of their career. However, one thing that I’ve noticed, and that’s that while The Isley Brothers were hugely successful in the US, they were more of a singles band in the UK. That to me, means that far too many people missed out on so many great albums from The Isley Brothers. On Go For Your Guns, the music is a fusion of soul, funk and rock. Of these tracks, The Pride (Parts 1 & 2), Footsteps In The Dark (Part 1 & 2) and Voyage To Atlantis are a trio of the highlights from Go For Your Guns. Climbin’ Up The Ladder (Part 1 & 2) with its message of overcoming fear and facing it head on, plus Livin’ In the Life and Go For the Guns are much more representative of the new, harder and rockier Isley Brother sound. Their decision to change direction was a brave one. Whereas The Isley Brothers could’ve continued to release similar albums to their previous ones, they decided to move forward and change direction. That’s why The Isley Brothers career has had such longevity, with Body Kiss, released in 2003 being certified gold. Considering Body Kiss was released forty-four years after their 1959 debut album Shout. Before Body Kiss, both 1996s Mission To Please and 2001s Eternal were both certified platinum, having sold over a million copies. However, back in 1997, when Go For Your Guns, which was rereleased in 2011 by BBR Records, complete with three bonus tracks, was just the latest in a long line of hugely successful albums The Isley Brothers released. Together with 1976s Harvest For the World, Go For Your Guns is a good starting point for anyone wanting to discover the music of The Isley Brothers. Standout Track: The Pride (Parts 1 & 2), Footsteps In The Dark (Part 1 & 2), Voyage To Atlantis and Livin’ In the Life.

THE ISLEY BROTHERS-GO FOR YOUR GUNS.