Sea Level Albums (5)
'Long Walk on a Short Pier'
Release Date 1/1/1979
Tracks 9
Label Capricorn
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
By the time Sea Level recorded its third album, On the Edge, percussionist Jai Johanny Johanson had left the Georgia combo to return to the Allman Brothers. Johanson's departure didn't have a major impact on Sea Level, whose music still fell into two main categories: vocal-oriented Southern pop/rock and instrumental jazz fusion. Like Sea Level's second album, Cats on the Coast, this 1978 LP falls short of the excellence of the band's self-titled debut album (which remains its finest, most essential release). Nonetheless, most of the material is enjoyable, if less than mind-blowing. Even though a few tunes indicated that Sea Level was starting to run out of steam, the best tracks made fans want to hang in there and keep supporting the band. "Fifty-Four" and "On the Wing" are engaging fusion instrumentals, and those who appreciate an Atlanta Rhythm Section/Ozark Mountain Daredevils type of sound should have no problem getting into the moody vocal offerings "Electron Cold" and "Living in a Dream." On the Edge isn't for casual listeners, who would be much better off starting out with Sea Level's self-titled debut album. But die-hard fans will find that, even though this LP is slightly uneven, it has more plusses than minuses and is worth having in their collections. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Because Sea Level boasted three musicians who had played with the Allman Brothers (keyboardist/vocalist Chuck Leavell, percussionist Jai Johanny Johanson, and the late bassist Lamar Williams), some Allman aficionados expected it to be an exact replica of that band. But Sea Level had an energy and a sound of its own; it was an Allman Brothers spinoff, but hardly an exact replica. The material on Sea Level's self-titled debut album of 1977 fell into two main categories -- vocal-oriented Southern pop/rock and instrumental jazz fusion -- and the same goes for its second album, Cats on the Coast. This sophomore effort falls short of the excellence of Sea Level, but it's generally decent. The vocal offerings (which include "That's Your Secret" and "Had to Fall") are pleasant, and fusion instrumentals like "Storm Warning," "Song for Amy," and "Midnight Pass" should appeal to anyone who spent a lot of time listening to Return to Forever, Larry Coryell, or John McLaughlin in the 1970s. Is Cats on the Coast essential? No. But this album, which has been reissued on CD, is enjoyable if you're among Sea Level's hardcore fans. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The debut album contains most of their best material, bright guitar, and keyboard-based instrumentals. Chuck Leavell shines on five of his tunes. Jimmy Nalls plays sweet guitar. Their first and best album. Some vocals, nicely crafted on "Nothing Matters but the Fever." ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
