Genre: soul
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Lucifer
Company: Invictus
Catalog: 7309
Year: 1971
Country/State: Canada
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4598
Price: $50.00
Cost: $10.00
I'm always intrigued by weird stuff and this early 1970s obscurity fits the bill.
Here's what I know about the outfit ... Singer/guitarist Eugene 'Jay' Smith started his musical career as a member of Ronnie Hawkins' backing band The Hawks. By the late-1960s Smith had formed the band Lucifer with guitarist Christiaan Kooy and bassist Bobby Washington.
I don't have a clue how this Canadian trio scored a recording contract with Holland-Dozier-Holland's newly formed Invictus label, but they somehow pulled it off. Produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland, 1971's "Lucifier" is simply unlike anything else released by the Invictus. Propelled by Smith's instantly recognizable (if highly irritating) voice (he sounded like a nasal Tom Waite), the album featured a strange combination of blues, the bizarre ('For Kids Only') and Blood, Sweat and Tears-styled jazz-rock. Smith was responsible for most of the ten tracks and while there were a couple of clunkers ('Bloodshot Eyes'), songs such as 'Don't You (Think the Times A-Comin')' and 'In a Garden' sported catchy melodies that managed to overcome his vocal limitations and even the irritating horn arrangements. Elsewhere my memory for radio hits is pretty good, but I have to admit that I can't remember ever hearing 1971's 'Bloodshot Eyes' b/w 'Old Mother Nature' (Invictus catalog number Is-9113 ) on the radio. The 45 even went top-40 ...
"Lucifer" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Pearl for a Girl (Eugene Smith) - 2:05
2.) Old Mother Nature (Eugene Smith) - 4:04
3.) In a Garden (Eugene Smith) - 2:33
4.) Don't You (Think the Times A-Comin') (Eugene Smith) - 4:18
5.) For Kids Only (Eugene Smith) - 2:04
(side
2)
1.) They Gonna Change Everything (Eugene Smith) - 6:10
2.) Bloodshot Eyes (H. Penny - R. Hall) - 4:26
3.) Have You Heard (John Futley)- 4:22
4.) Laugh (Eugene Smith) - 4:42
5.) We Gotta Go (Eugene Smith) - 4:06