Song of the Day: "Reaching Out" by the Climax Blues Band

Though never reaching the top tier, Climax Blues Band built an extremely loyal following. (Retiring Guy has been a faithful fan for more than 35 years.)

"Reaching Out", from Sense of Direction, a 1974 release, remains my favorite song of theirs. (The album spent 29 weeks on Billboard's Top 200 chart, peaking at #37. The song, most likely, was never released as a single.)

But if you really want to hear the band at its best, check out FM/Live (1973). Though ostensibly one of those obligatory double-live albums that every group but Steely Dan seemed to put out in the1970s, the music is anything but. If you doubt Retiring Guy's word, here's what the 5 reviewers at amazon.com have to say. (All 5 reviewers award the album 5 stars.

"...one of the best live albums ever made, bare none..." (OK, so J. Talsma attended a few too many English classes stoned)

"One Of The Best Just Got Better".

"Perhaps the best LIVE album(s) of all time..."

"A true classic".

"My favorite live album".