Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Orphan Egg
Company: Carole
Catalog: CARS 8004
Year: 1968
Country/State: San Jose, California USA
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring wear; 2 small cut out holes
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4217
Price: $120.00
Cost: $59.55
Singer Jim Bates, drummer George C. Brix, lead guiatrist Pat Gallagher, keyboard player Dave Monley and bassist Larry Smith met while attending high school in San Jose, California. Forming a band they started playing dances, parties and talent contests, eventually getting their big break when the won a high school battle of the bands event sponsored by Vox (yeah, we're talking 'bout the organ manufacturer). The resulting publicity saw them signed to a recording contract by the GNP Crescendo-affiliated Carole Records.
This is one of those albums where most reviews we've seen are fairly lukewarm. We're going to go out on a limb an tell you 1968's cleverly-titled "Orphan Egg" is actually quite impressive! Co-produced by Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner, the set may not be the year's most original offering, but the dozen tracks exhibit a certain snot-nosed punk enthusiasm that's very infectious. Propelled by Bates' acid-drenched and echo treated vocals, material such as the leadoff rocker "Falling" and the band's wild cover of Boudleaux Bryant's "Bird Dog" offer up winning slices of fuzz guitar-propelled rock. "Mourning Electra" displayed what sounded like affection for early The Who, while "That's the Way Love Is" and "It's Wrong" offer up suitably commercial slices of jangely folk-rock. Highlights for us included the guitar meltdown rocker "Circumstance", the weird "Deep in the Heart of Nebraska" and the harpsichord powered ballad "Look At Me". Sure, the set wasn't perfect. Sounding like a lost Dave Clark Five outtake, "Don't Go to Him" and the needless blues workout "Rock Me Baby" were pretty forgettable, but all in all it's one of the better period pieces we've recently heard. Don't think this one's seen a legitimate reissue.
"Orphan Egg" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Falling (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 3:40
2.) That's the Way Love Is (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:30
3.) Mourning Electra (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:16
4.) Bird Dog (Boudleaux Bryant) - 2:45
5.) It's Wrong (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:30
6.) Ain't That Lovin' You Baby (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:55
(side 2)
1.) Look at Me (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:50
2.) Deep in the Heart of Nebraska (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:15
3.) Don't Go to Him (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:05
4.) Circumstance (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:50
5.) Unusual State of Mind (Neal - Mirby - Draftleaf) - 2:40
6.) Rock Me Baby (B.B. King - J. Josea) - 5:50
The band also appeared in two cult classic films: the "B" biker flick "Angry Breed" where they're briefly shown playing an instrumental during a party scene and the social-statement oriented "Born Wild" (aka "Young Animals") where they performed the song "In Big Letters". They also had a couple of songs included on the "Cycle Savages" soundtrack (co-produced by Casey Kasem - he also had a brief acting part in the flick).
Monley became a recognized and sought after photographer (Masthead Photography). We didn't have much luck tracking down the other former members.