Redbone

Band members               Related acts

- Tony Bellamy - guitar, backing vocals
- Pete DePoe - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Butch Rillera - vocals, drums (replaced Pete DePoe) (1974-)
- Lolly Vegas - vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Pat Vegas - bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals 

 

 

 - The Avantis (Pat and Lolly Vegas)
- Pat and Lolly Vegas
- Sharks (Pat and Lolly Vegas) 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Redbone

Company: Epic

Catalog: Redbone EGP 501

Year: 1970

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: double album, gatefold sleeve (our copy has less ring wear than that shown in the picture)

Available: 1

Price: $32.00

 

 Having recorded a series of early-'60s surf singles as members of The Avantis, The Sharks and under their own names (see separate entries), by mid-'60s brothers Lolly and Pat Vegas has attracted minor attention as sessions players and songwriters. Among their efforts, the duo enjoyed limited success penning "Nicki Hokey" for P.J. Proby. Playing clubs as a duo, in 1968 the brothers hooked up with guitarist Tony Bellamy and drummer Pete DePoe to form Redbone.

Signed to Epic which was more than willing to capitalize on the band's Indian heritage, the group's 1970 self-titled debut exhibited the quartet's unique hybrid of soul and swamp rock influences. Demonstrating considerable faith in their new signing, Epic even agreed to finance a double album, 16 track effort as their debut. Highlighted by pseudo-swamp rockish material such as " Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band", "Prehistoric Rhythm" and "(I Can't) Handle It", "Redbone" underscored the Vegas' credits as songwriters and instrumentalists. Unfortunately, while Lolly had an interesting, sloshed voice, Pat had a limited and frequently flat delivery. Moreover, stretched over four sides, a surprising amount of the Vegas' material proved dull and plodding. The inclusion of four extended, jazzy instrumentals (" Jambone", "Suite Mode", "I'm a Man" and "Things Go Better ...") didn't help matters. Probably the best tracks were the poppy "Promise I Won't Let It Show" and their version of "Nicki Hokey". In spite of strong reviews and a large promotional campaign by Epic (the company deserved special criticism for promoting the band as the country's first Indian rock band ... ), the set failed to chart. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)

"Redbone" track listing:
1.) Little Girl (Lolly Vegas) - 3:54
2.) Chance To See (Pat Vegas) - 4:33
3.) Red and Blue (Lolly Vegas) - 2:41
4.) Suite Mode (instrumental) (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - R.A. Bellamy - Pete DePoe) - 6:17
5.) (I Can't) Handle It (Lolly Vegas) - 5:35
6.) I'm a Man (instrumental) (Pat Vegas) - 2:57
7.) Danse Calenda (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas) - 2:41
8.) Things Go Better ... (instrumental) (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - R.A. Bellamy - Pete DePoe) - 7:40
9.) Crazy Cajun Cakewalk Band (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - J. Ford) - 3:06
10.) Prehistoric Rhythm (Lolly Vegas) - 3:50
11.) Niki Hokey (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - J. Ford) - 3:17
12.) Promise I Won't Let It Show (Pat Vegas) - 3:06
13.) Minor Seven Heaven (Lolly Vegas) - 4:17
14.) Night Comes Down (Lolly Vegas) - 3:53
15.) Tennessee Girl (Lolly Vegas) - 2:37
16.) Rebecca (Lolly Vegas) - 3:02
17.) Jambone (instrumental) (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - R.A. Bellamy - 
Pete DePoe) - 8:06

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Potlatch

Company: Epic

Catalog:  E-30109

Year: 1971

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear

Available: 2

Price: $8.00

 

 With the Vegas again providing virtually all of the material (Bellamy co-writing one track), 1971's "Potlatch" proved far tighter and focused. Co-produced by Lolly and Pete Welding, the collection found the band taking stabs at a wide variety of genres, including sappy MOR ballads ("Who Can Say?"), meltdown psychedelics ("Without Reservations") and social relevance ("Alcatraz" and "Chant:13th Hour"). While the material occasionally bogged down in amidst ill-defined arrangements and lyrical pretense, for the most part these guys wanted to rock. Propelled by Lolly's slinky voice and Pat's distinctive wah wah guitar, material such as the hit single "Maggie", "Light As a Feather" (sounding like a CCR outtake), "Judgement Day" and "Bad News Ain't No News At All" demonstrated these guys were at their best when working a funk-rock groove. Propelled by favorable reviews (in the midst of the Alcatraz siege, what critic was about to cast dispersions on a band composed of native Americans ...), the parent album provided the band with their first taste of commercial success, ultimately reaching #99.

"Potlatch" track listing:
1.) Maggie (Lolly Vegas) - 5:06
2.) Light As a Feather (Pat Vegas) - 1:56
3.) Who Can Say? (Lolly Vegas) - 2:50
4.) Judgement Day (Lolly Vegas) - 2:39
5.) Without Reservation (instrumental) (Lolly Vegas) - 4:13
6.) Chant: 13th Hour (Pat Vegas - Lolly Vegas - R.A. Bellamy) - 5:36
7.) Alcatraz (Pat Vegas) - 2:47
8.) Drinkin' and Blo (Pat Vegas) - 2:17
9.) Bad News Ain't No New At All (Pat Vegas) - 2:12
10.) New Blue Sermonette (Pat Vegas) - 3:35

 

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