History:

Ritchie, Carr, & Moore were not a musical outfit but rather two songwriters joined by their buddy on bass guitar. Guitarist Mike Ritchie and pianist Johnny Carr wrote several songs together and decided a full length album would be the best way to showcase their songwriting.

The self-titled "Ritchie, Carr & Moore" was recorded in 1976 but released in early 1977. It was recorded at CRM Studios (operated by Johnny Carr) and International Studios in Georgia. All three contributed instrumentally but not a single one of them sang a note on the LP. Singing duties were handled primarily by Burt Rayburn and Robbie Ducey. The album also features a vast array of guest musicians, including future Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse. The full semi-uncredited lineup is listed below:

Lead Vocals - Burt Rayburn

Lead Vocals - Robbie Ducey

Vocals - Kerry Diver

Vocals - Mary Reel

Lead Guitars - Steve Morse

Acoustic Guitars - Mike Ritchie

Bass Guitar - Steve Moore

Pianos, String Synthesizer, Moog Synthesizers - Johnny Carr

Drums, Percussion - Mark Ferriter

Drums (?), Percussion (?) - Scott Ritchie

Lap Steel Guitar - Tommy Britting

The album covers a ton of musical territory but most of the songs hover, a bit uncomfortablly, in the folk rock spectrum. Soft rock, pop rock, jazz, and prog influences are also evident. The album apparently didn't sell well but the trio stayed active together.

Johnny Carr, alongside guest musicians Burt Rayburn and Mark Ferriter, co-found the group Lyrics a few years later. This band recorded a self-titled album with similar material but with more of a pop influence. Recorded again at Carr's studio, Mike Ritchie and Steve Moore re-appear as guest musicians on acoustic guitars and bass respectively. Steve Moore is credited as a full time band member but only is credited as only appearing in the studio. Lyrics eventually folded sometime in the 80's.

All three appear to be alive and well today. Dr. Mike Ritchie received a doctorate in business and teaches college in South Carolina. Johnny Carr was an engineer and producer for many years but was most recently a music teacher. Steve Moore's recent activities are unknown.

Review:

The End Of The Beginning (1976, C.R.M.)

Rating: 4/10

There is some really good material on this album but lots of middle of the road tracks like "End Of The Beginning" and "Dream Of Music" and some absolutely god-awful tunes like "Stephanie" and "I Wrote This Song For You" result in a mixed performance. "I Never Said" is the best track on this affair, with good vocals and excellent piano work. "Poets" is a good folk rock track with mellotron, piano, and flute. "What Would Frankie Say" is a catchy prog / jazz tune with a soloing piano and fast tempo. Has a neat fuzz solo too. Overall a mediocre album.