When the Raspberries came out of the gate as a thirsty band from Cleveland in the early 1970s, they were scrappy underdogs — notwithstanding the smooth polish of some of their records, their perfect shag haircuts and (at first) matching suits. Now, 50 years after their breakup, the Raspberries still count as scrappy underdogs, at least in the eyes of the cultists who keep the band’s legend alive. The Eric Carmen -fronted band is being celebrated with “Play On: A Raspberries Tribute” a two-CD salute that sports covers of 37 of their songs, i.e., nearly their entire 1970s catalog.
Those who already revere the Raspberries as high priests of the religion of power pop will be in heaven, and the group could pick up some late converts along the way, or at least a better understanding of how