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TOMMY BOLIN: PRIVATE EYES (1976)
Tommy’s second and last official solo album was cut six months before his death. Again, all the songs on the album are now considered classics. Tommy’s answer to “Stairway to Heaven” and “Cocaine,” “Post Toastee” stands out as one of the seventies most outstanding AOR masterpieces. Unlike Teaser, Private Eyes was cut with the official Tommy Bolin Band, which at that time included Norma Jean Bell, Reggie McBride, Mark Stein, and Bobby Berge.
TBACD-C4 | 
TOMMY BOLIN: TEASER (1975)
At last, the first TOMMY BOLIN solo album. It is a stone classic of major proportions. At last, it’s all Tommy, all the time! From rock to reggae to jazz fusion to ballads, the entire spectrum of Tommy’s stylings are contained on this album which contains an all star line up of great musicians. This album sounds as great today as the day it came out, and proves that Bolin could make the switch from free form music to commercial rock and still keep his integrity. All the songs here are now considered Bolin classics.
TBACD-C3
BILLY COBHAM WITH TOMMY BOLIN: SPECTRUM (1973)
This album is the all instrumental motherlode. A true early seventies jazz-rock fusion milestone. This album had a profound effect on many guitar players, notably Jeff Beck, whose own career was changed by it’s influence. Unable to read charts like the other players on the album, Tommy was still able to blow them all away with his powerful creative technique. This album, better than any other of his studio releases, captures the heart, soul and genius of Tommy’s free form guitar playing.
TBACD-C12
ZEPHYR WITH TOMMY BOLIN: GOING BACK TO COLORADO (1971)
The bands second release was a positive evolution. This time Jimi Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer was behind the board, and he helped the band more fully capture it’s trademark live stylings onto tape. Robbie Chamberlin is replaced by Bobby Berge on drums, but otherwise the lineup remains the same. Tommy’s playing is closer to the trademark sound he has become so famous for. As with Zephyr, this CD also is a must have for any Tommy collector.
TBACD-C7
JAMES GANG WITH TOMMY BOLIN: BANG (1973)
While the jazz-rock fusion albums showcased Tommy’s musical genius in a huge way, Tommy was under a lot of pressure to “make it” in the rock world. After all, there was a lot more money to be made! So when the James Gang heeded then departed founder Joe Walsh’s advice and offered a gig to Tommy. He jumped at the chance. His first album with the band is Bang. Here, Tommy molds himself into the rock-funk mold of The James Gang, and the results are superb. A number of Energy songs are folded into Bang, and Tommy’s playing is more inspired than any other rocker of the era. The classic “Alexis” is contained on the album which marked Tommy’s first lead vocals. The album still sounds very fresh and deserved to be a bigger seller than it turned out to be. A true AOR classic!
TBACD-C8
JAMES GANG WITH TOMMY BOLIN: MIAMI (1974)
Tommy’s second and last album with The James Gang picks up where Bang left off. Once again, some classic Energy tracks are covered, and the results are satisfying. “Spanish Lover” marks Tommy’s return to lead vocal status helping all to realize that his lack of confidence in his singing was basically unfounded. While both James Gang albums are must haves, in retrospect, they prove that Energy should have been the band to record and release these tracks on a major label.
TBACD-C9
DEEP PURPLE WITH TOMMY BOLIN: COME TASTE THE BAND (1975)
With Tommy’s inclusion in Deep Purple. Thousands and thousands of new fans discovered Tommy. After all, Purple was one of the most popular bands of the seventies with their classic heavy rock sound. When Richie Blackmore quit for the first time leaving the band high and dry, Purple was desperate to replace him so they could carry on. Hard core Blackmore fans felt that that would be impossible! Then along came one of rocks all time guitar greats, Tommy Bolin, and carry on they did. Come Taste the Band was this lineups’ only studio album. Recorded in Munich Germany, the album features mostly music written by Tommy, all guitars played by Tommy, and a fact not known to many, bass played by Tommy, instead of Glenn Hughes! You see, Glenn was battling substance abuse problems at the time and missed a bunch of the sessions. So Tommy filled in on bass. It is reported that Glenn later re-cut his bass parts for some of the tracks. But as it turns out, the sonic shape of the album was heavily shaped by Tommy! Yes, they could carry on without Blackmore!
TBACD-C14
RUDIMENTS: THE BILLY COBHAM ANTHOLOGY (2 CDs)
Includes bonus Tommy Bolin Spectrum track, “All 4 One,” plus 19 other tracks of Billy’s from his seminal 1970’s releases.
BCA-1
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