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Sunday, September 14, 2014

Beast - Beast (1970 us, terrific heavy psych prog jazz rock, 2013 Flawed Gems issue)



The second LP has a more mature, more rock and charmingly transparent sound - sometimes very close to the progressive aesthetic (flute,organ).

Formed in Denver,Colorado,Beast featured the talents of drummer Larry Ferris,keyboardist Gerry Fike,woodwind player Mike Kearnes,bassist Kenny Passarelli. singer David Raines,trumpet player Dominick Todero and former Super Band guitarist Robert Yeazel. 

Following the loss of horn player Todero and bassist Passarelli (replaced by Roger Byrant),in 1970's cleverly-titled "Beast" was released on the Evolution label. Continuing their partnership with producer Norman Petty the album was again recorded at Petty's Clovis, New Mexico studios. Musically the collection wasn't too different from the debut. Anyone familiar with Lighthouse or Sugarloaf styled horn rock will be pretty comfortable with most of the material. 

Slightly more varied than the debut, the flute propelled "Communication" and "Don't You Think It's Time?" reflected a quasi-jazzy feel, while the harmony rich "Inlook" sounded like an Association-styled slice of pop and "Move Mountain (You Got It)" found the band taking a stab at conventional hard rock. The overall effect was professional,if a little short on originality and inspiration ... Packaged in one of the year's uglier covers (credit to Charles E. Murphy),the set vanished without a trace,followed in short order by the band.
by Adamus67 


Tracks
1. Inlook (Robert Yeazel) - 4:22
2. Communication (Robert Yeazel, Ron Morgan, Jimmy Greenspoon) - 6:08
3. The Man Outside (Robert Bryant, Robert Yeazel) - 1:26
4. Migration (MIke Kearnes) - 1:58
5. Whistle (Robert Yeazel) - 0:56
6. I Am (Robert Yeazel, David Raines, Gerry Fike) - 2:11
7. Don't You Think It's Time? (Robert Yeazel, David Raines, Robert Bryant) - 3:32
8. Move Mountain (You Got It) (Robert Yeazel, David Raines, Robert Bryant) - 4:38
9. It's So Hard (Gerry Fike) - 3:17
10.Legal Machines (David Raines) - 2:52

The Beast
Bob Yeazel- Guitar, Vocals
David Raines- Vocals
Michael Kerns- Flutes
Gerry Fike- Keyboards
Roger Bryant- Bass
Larry Ferris- Drums

Related Acts
1972-73  Diamondhead - Diamondhead

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