Genre: rock
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title: Behind the Tear
Company: JSR
Catalog: JSR LP 1502
Year: 1979
Country/State: New Jersey
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: reportedly a 500 copy run; still in shrink wrap (opened to play once)
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5340
Price: $40.00
I couldn't find a great deal of info out there on this outfit, so anyone who has the scoop, please feed if to me and I'll gladly update this write up.
A late-1970 quartet featuring the talents of drummer Ross Chalfant, bassist Gary Cobb, and multi-instrumentalists Stacey Phelon and Dan Ryan, these guys were apparently from New Jersey (the LP was recorded in Long Branch and the band's management company had a 201 phone prefix). Also, as you probably guessed from the band name, these guys had a major Beatles fixation (I'm surprised their choice of names didn't get them slapped with a lawsuit.).
Anyhow, someone must have found a pile of these albums a couple of years ago because dealer lists and the internet were suddenly awash with also sorts of nonsensical hype - Beatlesque ... lost classic power pop ... etc., etc. Yeah, normally any of those descriptions would be enough to send you screaming for the exit signs, or grabbing on to your wallet to avoid the major fleecing that was headed your way. That's where it gets funny. Self-produced, "Behind the Tear" actually had a distinctive Fab Four feel to it. In addition to a nice Beatle covers (I'll Be Back'), originals like '25 Ways' captured the Beatles vibe better than most better known bands who've managed to make a career out off ripping John, Paul, George and Ringo. Mind you not everything here worked well. The band's attempt at early Merseybeat material ('At the Scene') was competent, but not particularly inspirational and a couple of non-Fab influenced efforts ('I'll Be Back' and 'Close Your Eyes') were pretty but forgettable. Far better were their stabs at mimicking mid and latter period Beatle efforts. The title track sported a nice pop-psych vibe and they turned in a killer cover of Boyce and Hart's 'I'm Not Your Stepping Stone' ... Tuneful, energetic and simply lots of fun to listen to, this is a hundred times better than lots of the big ticket items hyped by dealers. Bet these guys were a blast to have seen in concert.
"Behind
the Tear" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Rock and Roll Star (Stacey Phelon) - 2:38
2.) Behind the Tear (Gary Cobb) - 3:14
3.) I'll Be Back (John Lennon - Paull Mccartney) - 3:50
4.) Jada's Masquerade (Gary Cobb - R. Frank) - 3:11
5.) At the Scene (D. Clark - L. Davidson) - 3:25
(side
2)
1.) Steppin' Stone (Tommy Boyce - Bobby Hart) - 2:13
2.) Look At Me Now Dan Ryan) - 4:50
3.) Twist and Shout (B. russell - Phil Medley) - 2:05
4.) 25 Ways (Dan Ryan) - 4:40
5.) Close Your Eyes (Stacey Phelon) - 2:59
As far as I can tell Phelon is still in New Jersey where he remains active on the production and engineering side of the house (Daisycutter, Gigantic, Monster Magnet, Speedmuffin, etc.).