American Flyer

Band members               Related acts

- Craig Fuller - vocals, guitar (1976-77)
- Whitney Glan - drums (1977)
- Prakash John - bass (1977)
- Steve Katz - vocals, guitar (1976-77)
- Eric Kaz - vocals, guitar (1976-77)
- Doug Yule - vocals, bass (1976-77) 

 

 

 

 

- Bear (Eric Kaz)

- J.D. Blackfoot

- Blood, Sweat and Tears (Steve Katz)
- The Blues Project (Steve Katz)
- The Blues Magoos (Eric Kaz)
- Eric Kaz (solo efforts)
- Craig Fuller and Eric Kaz
- Little Feat (Craig Fuller)
- Pure Prairie League (Craig Fuller)

 

 

 

Genre: rock 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  American Flyer

Company: United Artists

Catalog: UALA 650

Year: 1976

Country/State: USA

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4

Price: $15.00

Cost: $1.00

 

 Featuring the divergent talents of Craig Fuller (ex-Pure Prairie League), Steve Katz (ex-Blood, Sweat and Tears), Eric Kaz (ex-Blues Magoos) and Doug Yule (ex-Velvet Underground). American Flyer was widely seen as a shallow attempt to form a "corporate super group". 

Signed by United Artists, the quartet's self-titled 1976 debut showcased an above average collection of country-rock. Produced by George Martin, material such as "Let Me Down Easy" and "Light of Your Love" recalled Fuller's Pure Prairie League catalog, showcasing a similar commercial, if lightweight sound. Professional, if routine, the only real complaint stemmed from Katz's MOR crooning ("M" and "Back In '57" - the latter previously recorded by The Eagles). Understandably, in an era of punk and disco, "American Flyer" was roundly slammed by critics and largely overlooked by the buying public; sales faltering at # 87. 

"American Flyer" track listing:
1.) Light of Your Love (Eric Kaz - Craig Fuller)
2.) Such a Beautiful Feeling (Eric Kaz)
3.) Back In '57 (Steve Katz)
4.) Lady Blue Eyes (Doug Yule)
5.) Let Me Down Easy (Eric Kaz - Craig Fuller)
6.) The Woman In Your Heart (Craig Fuller)
7.) Love Has No Pride (Eric Kaz - Craig Fuller)
8.) Queen of All My Days (Doug Yule)
9.) Drive Away (Eric Kaz)
10.) Call Me, Tell Me (Craig Fuller)
11.) End of a Love Song (George Martin - Eric Kaz)

In it's January 2002 issue, the English music magazine Mojo selected the album for it's Buried Treasures column.

Genre: rock 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Spirit of a Woman

Company: United Artists

Catalog: UALA 720

Year: 1977

Country/State: USA

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4

Price: $15.00

 

 Co-produced by the band and Ken Friesen, 1977's "Spirit of a Woman" stuck with the same pedestrian country-rock sound. As on the debut, Fuller's sweet voice proved pleasant, while material such as the it-should've-been-a-Kodak-moment "The Good Years" and "Gamblin' Man" proved Kaz a competent, if unexceptional writer. Best of the lot was the Poco-styled "Keep On Tryin'". Still, when compared to the debut, the set suffered from inferior material and a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. A major commercial disappointment, the set could do no better that #171. Following it's predecessor into cutout oblivion, the group subsequently broke up; Fuller and Kaz briefly extending their collaboration as a duo (see separate entry).

"Spirit of a Woman" track listing:
1.) Spirit of a Woman (Eric Kaz - Craig Fuller)
2.) Gamblin' Man (Eric Kaz)
3.) My Love Comes Alive (Eric Kaz)
4.) Victoria (Steve Katz)
5.) Dear Carmen (Eric Kaz - Craig Fuller)
6.) I'm Blowin' Away (Eric Kaz)
7.) Flyer (Doug Yule)
8.) The Good Years (Steve Katz)
9.) Keep On Tryin' (Eric Kaz)

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