Consumer Guide Album

Detroit: Detroit [Paramount, 1971]
Despite the old strain and stridency, the way Mitch Ryder swells with an infusion of the Host upon contact with a Wilson Pickett song is more welcome than ever. So is former Detroit Wheel Johnny Bee--these days any drummer who can play rock and roll without turning into some machine is a precious resource. And whoever told Mitch to put Ron Davies's "It Ain't Easy," Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock," and the Velvet Underground's "Rock 'n Roll" on the same album wins a James Taylor dartboard. B+