Redeye's second album "One Man`s Poison" released in 1971, is an extension of the first, with swamps and west coast folk-rock elements, but with more laid-back and mature music than the debut work.
Includes the hit single ‘Redeye Blues’, was issued in the spring of 1971, although it was banned in many radio markets owing to its lyrical content - some programmers objected to the song’s story-line about a person getting stoned and then unable to find his drug stash.
Nevertheless, the single charted at number #78. The group was unable to follow it with another hit and split up in 1972.
Because their ranks included a future superstar, the Steampacket have received more attention than they really deserve. Featuring vocalists Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry, and Julie Driscoll, as well as organist Brian Auger, misleading reissues of the group's demos bill the act as "the first supergroup." That's simply not the case. They were an interesting conglomeration, and innovative in the respect of featuring several singers. But their true status is as a short-lived footnote, and not one that rates as a highlight of any of the principals' careers.
Though the Steampacket played gigs at small venues around London as early as 1962, the nucleus of the band formed in mid-1965, after the demise of Baldry's backing outfit, the Hoochie Coochie Men. Baldry envisioned a soul-type revue, each singer taking the material for which he or she was most suited. Management by Giorgio Gomelsky (who also handled the Yardbirds and several other interesting British groups) and a supporting slot on the Rolling Stones' summer 1965 British tour seemed to promise a bright future.
Their professional activities were complicated by the fact that Baldry and Stewart retained separate managers for their individual careers. Additionally, Baldry was already signed to United Artists as a solo act, thwarting Gomelsky's plans to record the band. This led to disputes between the different managers, and the Steampacket broke up before they managed to enter the studio.
Officially enter the studio, that is. Gomelsky did record some tapes with the band at a rehearsal at the famous Marquee club in London. These have been reissued numerous times since the 1970s, and show the band to be a competent but hardly thrilling soul-rock outfit, anchored instrumentally by Auger's jazz blues organ. Stewart moved on to the Jeff Beck Group, the Faces, and solo stardom; Baldry moved into middle-of-the-road pop, landing some British hit singles in the late '60s. Auger had recorded as a backup musician on Baldry's mid-'60s solo records, and his Brian Auger Trinity group continued working with Julie Driscoll, reaching the U.K. Top Five in 1968 with "This Wheel's on Fire."
by Richie Unterberger
Tracks
1. Can I Get A Witness (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 3:36
2. The In-Crowd (Billy Page) - 3:42
3. Baby Take Me (Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Jo Armstead) - 2:12
Prior to forming Redeye, singer/guitarist Douglas Marks obtained a bit of glory with the Sunshine Company and the Grains Of Sand. Active from 1967-68, this Los Angeles band parented a moderate amount of airplay with radiant Mamas and Papas-styled songs such as “Happy” and “Back on the Street Again.” The Sunshine Company released a trio of enjoyable albums, as well.
In 1970, Redeye – which also included rhythm guitarist/vocalist Dave Hodgkins, bassist/vocalist Bill Kirkham and drummer Bob Bereman – secured a contract with the Pentagram label. By the end of the year, the band notched a No. 27 nationwide hit single with “Games” that also appeared on Redeye’s self-titled debut album.
Listeners are guaranteed to experience a dose of deja vu (pun intended) when hearing “Games,” as the high-pitched harmony blend coating the bright and buoyant track are hijacked straight from the Crosby Stills Nash and Young songbook. A repetitively catchy chorus of “Yeah, you know” calls for a sing-a-long fest, while a clanging cowbell and an energetic jam rock with strength and substance.
Although “Games” sounds too close to comfort to CSNY to give Redeye a unique identity, there is no denying it is nattily crafted and sports plenty of appeal.
Riding the success of “Games,” Redeye toured and shared bills with the likes of the Byrds and Cactus. Things certainly looked good for the band, but their next single – the funky blues-oriented “Red Eye Blues” – failed to make much of an impact. Breaking up in 1972, Redeye’s short-lived popularity is rather a pity because they definitely had what was required to juggle commercial characteristics with edgier aspects.
by Beverly Paterson
Tracks
1. Games - 3:05
2. Empty White Houses - 2:44
3. Mississippi Stateline - 4:00
4. Green Grass - 3:10
5. Down Home Run - 2:18
6. Dadaeleus` Unfinished Dream (Bill Kirkham, Dave Hodgkins) - 2:46
7. Oregon Bound - 3:15
8. Your Train Is Leaving - 2:46
9. 199 Thoughts Too Late - 2:30
10.Collections Of Yesterday And Now (Dave Hodgkins, Douglas Mark) - 4:31
"After All This Time", Koloc’s debut album, released in 1971 by local label Ovation Records. At age 25, Koloc was already the doyenne of the north-side folk scene, having left behind her studies at the University of Northern Iowa in the late 60s and come to Chicago to pursue music. Her warm, clear voice and friendly stage presence helped her quickly line up performance time at venues such as the Earl of Old Town and the Fifth Peg. After All This Time includes a cover of “Jazzman,” by folk-scene comrade Ed Holstein, and her version got a lot of airplay on Chicago radio in the ensuing year.
“It was an exciting time,” Koloc tells me via her manager, David Koppel. “The record release for my first album was being held at the Old Town School of Folk Music with Studs Terkel as master of ceremonies, which was an honor in itself.” Terkel had been a fan of Koloc’s work from the beginning, and would later invite her onto his WFMT radio show several times.
by Salem Collo-Julin, January 6, 2021
Tracks
1. Don't Leave Me - 4:05
2. After All This Time - 3:47
3. New York City Blues - 4:19
4. Devil's Nine Questions - 4:36
5. Another New Morn' (Bonnie Koloc, Ron Scroggin, Stu Heiss) - 3:57
6. Rainy Day Lady - 3:40
7. Jazz Man (Ed Holstein) - 3:31
8. Victoria's Morning (Ed Holstein) - 4:49
9. Got To Get What You Can - 3:20
10.One Sure Thing (Jean Glover, Jim Glover) - 4:58
Music and Lyrics by Bonnie Koloc except where indicated
Joey Stec will be a familiar name to fans of The Millennium, a Southern California group who were the brainchild of producers' Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher, and Keith Olsen. The group's album, Begin (Columbia 1968) is an obscure classic of the period, as well as being one of the most expensive albums recorded by Columbia at the time. Joey Stec was one of the main members of that band, and his own self-titled album is, in its own way, a classic of the period that it was done in as well.
Released in 1975, The Joey Stec Album is loaded with great pop-rock hooks ("Do You Know"), introspective ballads ("No Knowing," which recalls Neil Young's work from this period) and delightful, joyous singing, songs and performances. Unlike many records like this from the mid-70's, this album actually has retained its freshness, and that alone is an incredible feat. Masterfully produced by the great Jimmy Miller (Traffic, Rolling Stones, etc.), the album features stellar guest performances by such heavyweights as Bobby Keys, Jim Gordon, Cale Radle and others. In fact, this album can accurately be described as a poppier version of The Dominos, crossed with the Beatle-esque pop sensibilities of groups as Badfinger and Big Star. Mostly, though, it sounds like Joey Stec, which is a wonderful thing in itself. Absolutely delicious.
by Matthew Greenwald
Tracks
1. Do You Know (Joey Stec, Warner Schwebki) - 3:22
In 1969, Donald K. Donald introduced Franki Hart (The Sirocco Singers, Riverson) to Bill Hill (J.B. and the Playboys) and suggested they join forces with members of Montréalband The Munks (Rick St. Jean, Rene Boileau, Del Desrosiers and Eddie Kaye) to form a new group called Freedom. In 1970, Freedom went into the studio to record an album for Aquarius Records. The line up was Bill Hill (lead guitar), Franki Hart (vocals/piano), Rick St. Jean (vocals/guitar), Les Leroux (bass) and Eddie Kaye (drums). Ron Dann added pedal steel guitar, and Rayburn Blake (Mashmakhan) guested on the song “Doctor Tom” on acoustic guitar.
The album was released on Aquarius under the name Freedom North and was produced by Bill Hill. From Montreal, Quebéc, Freedom’s “Doctor Tom” was released on Aquarius in May 1970 and peaked at #17 on the RPM Top Singles chart in August of that year. The song was released in the US on the Wand label under the name Freedom of Choice. Freedom North toured extensively in Eastern Canada, often with other Montréalbands such as Mashmakhan and April Wine and, as well, performed in concert in Montreal, Toronto and New England. This line-up would include Graham Lear (drums) and Bob Burgess (bass). After the band split up Kaye, St. Jean and Leroux all ended up as part of Don Graham’s band Graham County in 1971; Franki Hart would perform solo in Quebéc throughout the 1970s under the name Frankie Hart and was the backing vocalist on The Wackers’ 1973 LP ‘Shredder’. She also made a guest appearance as part of the Wackers’ 40th anniversary reunion in Toronto in 2011.
by Frankie Hart and Don Graham
Tracks
1. Ordinary Man (Rick St. Jean) - 3:17
2. Take A Look At Me (Allan Nicholls, Bill Hill) - 3:16
3. Losing You (Bill Hil, Eddy Kaye, Franki Hart, Les Leroux, Rick St. Jean) - 2:24
4. Seems To Me (Bill Hill, Rick St. Jean) - 2:42
5. Lonely Man (Bill Hill, Les Leroux, Rick St. Jean) - 5:33
For Nektar, 1973's double set "Sounds Like This" was a pivotal moment. Roye Albrighton, (guitar, lead vocals), Allan "Taff" Freeman (keyboards, vocals), Derek "Mo" Moore (bass guitar, vocals) and Ron Howden (drums and percussion), had been touring and recording solidly for nearly four years, ably assisted by Mick Brockett's elaborate light show. Forming in Hamburg in 1969, Nektar quickly established themselves as a major live attraction in Germany. Signing to Bacillus records in 1970, the band had recorded the superb albums "Journey to the Centre of the Eye" and "A Tab in The Ocean" and were now looking to spread their music outside of Germany.
The first overseas territory to be receptive to Nektar's music was Britain. Andrew Lauder, head of the UK division of United Artists records had become aware of the band thanks to the members of Welsh band Man recommending the group highly. As a result, the next album to be recorded by Nektar would also secure a British release. "Sounds Like This" was conceived as a way of capturing the live power of Nektar in the controlled surroundings of a recording studio, without employing the use of overdubs and as a vehicle to record of die older material written by the band in their formative months. The first sessions for “Sound Like This" took place at Dierks studio in Stommeln on 12th October 1972. In front of a small invited audience Nektar performed a lengthy set of music which included versions of "Good Day". "A New Day Dawning" (written by the band in 1969), "Wings", an extended jam of "Cast Your Fare" which featured a riff utilised in "Mr. H", later included in "A Day in the Life of a Preuhtr" and"Da Da Dum". In addition several pieces were recorded that in hindsight proved to be the birth of several major compositions in the later Nektar canon. "Sunshine Down on the City" was a twelve minute long opus that included sections of music that later appeared in "Remember the Future Part Two" and "A Day in the Life of a Preacher", whilst "It's All in Your Mind" was a twelve minute tour de force that also contained passages that would later feature in the bands magnum opus "Remember the Future".
Despite the excellence of these recordings, no final mixes were made, as both producer Peter Hauke and Nektar felt the performances, (with the notable exception of "Wings"), whilst passionate and energetic, could be improved upon. Therefore the decision was made to enter the studio on February 8th 1973 to record a further "live in the studio" session. By this time "A Day in the Life of a Preacher" had evolved into a full thirteen minute long concert highlight and was captured for the first time on multi-track tape. Additionally, newer and more polished versions of "Good Day", "New Day Dawning", "WhatYa Gonna Do?" and "Cast Your Fate" were recorded. Nektar also took the opportunity to revisit both sides of their 1972 single "Do You Believe in Magic?" and "1-2-3-4" along with the Ron Howden showcase "Odyssey".
This time the fruits of the recording sessions were deemed productive and the sessions were duly mixed and released in June 1973 under the title "Sounds Like This" in Germany and the UK. The interest generated by the first British Nektar release resulted in the first UK concert dates by the band and laid the foundations of the recording of the next Nektar album, "Remember the Future" at Chipping Norton studios in Oxfordshire. This work was to be their breakthrough album in the USA, reaching number 19 on the Billboard chart and was declared "album of the year" in Germany by the magazine Musik Express. Nektar's star was truly on the ascendant.
by Mark Powell
Tracks
Disc 1 Original LP
1. Good Day - 6:43
2. New Day Dawning - 5:01
3. What Ya Gonna Do? - 5:24
4. 1-2-3-4 - 12:43
5. Do You Believe In Magic? - 7:15
6. Cast Your Fate - 5:44
7. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher - 12:55
a. Preacher
b. Squeeze
c. Mr. H
8. Wings - 3:45
9. Odyssey - 14:26
a. Ron's On
b. Never Never Never
c. Da-Da-Dum
All compositions by Roye Albrighton, Allan Freeman, Ron Howden, Derek Moore
Disc 2 Bonus Tracks
1. Good Day - 7:10
2. New Day Dawning - 5:36
3. Sunshine Down On The City - 13:02
4. Da Da Dum - 6:30
5. What Ya Gonna Do? - 6:50
6. It's All In Your Mind - 12:48
7. Cast Your Fate Jam - 20:25
8. Wings - 3:54
All tracks written by Roye Albrighton, Allan Freeman, Ron Howden, Derek Moore
Free's 3rd album was a huge success, reaching #2 in the UK charts and #17 in the American, making it the most successful Free album. This is largely due to the album containing the hit single "All Right Now" which they later played to a crowd of over 600,000 people at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival, which generated them huge publicity, originally released in June 1970 and has now been expanded with 23 bonus tracks.
Disc One contains the original album digitally remastered by Peter Mew at Abbey Road plus 3 songs recorded in session for the BBC plus 4 songs recorded live for John Peel's Sunday Live in Concert programme for the BBC.
Disc Two gathers together 16 alternative versions of songs from the album including a previously unreleased version of Fire and Water and previously unreleased versions of All Right Now recorded for the video.
"While it may seem excessive to close the set with three versions of the same song we felt that these are so good, and all quite different performances, that it would be absurd not to let you hear them and simply leave them languishing in the vaults."
Tracks
Disc 1
1. Fire And Water - 4:03
2. Oh I Wept - 4:31
3. Remember - 4:29
4. Heavy Load - 5:23
5. Mr Big (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 6:00
6. Don't Say You Love Me - 6:05
7. All Right Now - 5:37
8. Fire And Water - 3:05
9. Mr Big (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 5:07
10.All Right Now - 5:29
11.Remember - 4:50
12.Mr Big - 6:37
13.Don't Say You Love Me - 5:55
14.All Right Now - 5:09
All songs by Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers except where stated
Disc 2
1. Fire And Water - 3:44
2. Oh I Wept - 4:32
3. Remember - 4:30
4. Don't Say You Love Me - 6:26
5. All Right Now - 3:4
6. All Right Now - 4:16
7. Fire And Water - 2:26
8. Fire And Water - 4:13
9. Fire And Water - 4:13
1. Don't Say You Love Me - 5:56
11.Mr Big (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 5:56
12.All Right Now - 6:25
13.Mr Big (Andy Fraser, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke) - 5:26
14.All Right Now - 4:28
15.All Right Now - 4:30
16.All Right Now - 4:46
All songs by Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers except where noted
Sometimes the best albums come from the worst of situations. In 1972 Free had been through a lot. After they failing to capitalise on the success of Alright Now and reinvent themselves as swaggering rockers with Highway, the band returned to their soul roots to craft an emotive, melodic epitaph for a band they all knew was on the verge of implosion.
Where Paul Kossof was intelligible enough to play guitar he does so with tear jerking abandon, hearing but never heading Rodger's please for sobriety on opening numbers “Wishing Well” and “Heartbreaker.” It's Rodgers who gives the album it's soul and binds the lost guitarist and newcomer John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keyboards (who contributes the solid numbers “Common Mortal Man” and “Muddy Waters”) into the semblance of a working band.
The singer graces all eight tracks with, well, hearbreaking emotion. By the last two tracks it all comes to a head with the elegant prayer for mercy “Easy On My Soul,” and “Seven Angels,” embodying the shared desire of all involved to break away from the train wreck the band had become. Any classic rock historian will tell you that Free recorded many more tracks in their latter days than feature here.
There are eight tracks here for a reason; this was an era before CDs when quality counted more than quantity and creating a seamless work was all. It's this attitude that makes Hearbreaker the most gripping and emotive work Free ever committed to tape.
Tracks
1. Wishing Well (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Tetsu Yamauchi, Paul Kossoff, John Bundrick) - 3:43
2. Come Together In The Morning (Paul Rodgers) - 4:38
3. Travellin' in Style (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Tetsu Yamauchi, Paul Kossoff, John Bundrick) - 4:01
4. Heartbreaker (Paul Rodgers) - 6:12
5. Muddy Water (John Bundrick) - 4:15
6. Common Mortal Man (John Bundrick) - 4:06
7. Easy on My Soul (Paul Rodgers) - 3:44
8. Seven Angels (Paul Rodgers) - 5:03
9. Wishing Well (US mix) (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Tetsu Yamauchi, Paul Kossoff, John Bundrick) - 3:39
10.Let Me Show You (Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Tetsu Yamauchi, Paul Kossoff, John Bundrick)- 3:01
11.Muddy Water (John Bundrick) - 4:15
12.Hand Me Down Turn Me Round (John Bundrick) - 3:19
In the mid sixties Tom Crosgrove was lead guitarist and vocalist in the Bronx band called Elegant Four were also known as the Elegants, they released only one single in 1965, both songs where written by Tom
In the early 1970s he formed Brethren together with Rick Marotta who spent several years as the drummer for his own group, Stu Woods played bass (he would later appear on Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything? album), and Mike Garson who played keyboards. Tom Cosgrove took over the singing and played lead guitar. They released two albums.
The band had a unique sound, a mixture of rock and country, with traces of jazz and influences from Dr. John (Mac Rebennack), who wrote the album notes and the song “Loop Garoo” for them. A really fine sample of swamp rock and blues rock.
Rick Marotta was also a famous session drummer who appeared on recordings by leading artists such as Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Hall & Oates, Stevie Nicks, Wynonna, Roy Orbison, Todd Rundgren, Roberta Flack, Peter Frampton, Quincy Jones, Jackson Browne, Al Kooper, Waylon Jennings, Randy Newman, Peter Gabriel, Kenny G, The Jacksons, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Warren Zevon, Linda Ronstadt, among others.
Tracks
1. Loop Garoo (Dr. John) - 8:25
2. Wesley With The Gun (Stu Woods, Tom Cosgrove) - 3:04
3. Sun And The Moon (Mark Klingman) - 3:15
4. Freedom Blues (Eskew Reeder) - 5:13
5. Lady On The Terrace (Tom Cosgrove) - 3:57
6. Move On (Rick Marotta, Stu Woods, Tom Cosgrove) - 4:00
