Billboard magazine's issue of August 5, 1978 had a review of the Sail album on their Top Album Picks Billboard Recommended LP's page, saying "Jazz and Rock elements are intertwined with a strong stream of New York R & B in this 10 cut grouping. The seven piece act features tasty horn work and bright vocals though lyrics occasionally sound familiar. Best cuts: Steppin' Out On Saturday Night, Cleveland, Junius Ponds." It's great that Paul's song "Junius Ponds" was singled out for praise. We have heard this song as performed by the Frogs on one of the tapes posted here earlier. It's interesting to hear how the song was rearranged from a guitar-driven rock song into a horn-driven funk number for the album. Paul is allowed to rip in a half minute guitar solo here but mainly the horn section does the heavy riffing to fit more with the Sail concept. He adds nice funky rhythm guitar and a solo to the title cut, which Frogs fans will enjoy. Mostly elsewhere he is not featured or allowed to take center stage as we'd prefer. All of his guitarwork is stellar when you do hear it, though.
It turned out that the rumors we heard of Paul "going to California" to record the album were probably not true as the credits list the songs being recorded at Opal Studios in New York City. Some time after release the group folded and Paul was back in the Frogs, much to our joy. In 1978 if you were a Rock fan you most likely had a strong aversion to "Disco" music or anything resembling that hated genre. I bought this album when it came out but sure enough found "Juius Ponds" to be the only listenable cut. It is interesting to listen now, 34 years later with a new perspective. I can surely appreciate the talent on display by the whole band. Still not something I play regularly but the occasional spin brings back memories of that time.
Steppin' Out On Saturday Night
