Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Redeye
Company: Pentagram
Catalog: PE-10003
Year: 1970
Country/State: Los Angeles
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: small cut out hole bottom right corner
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5420
Price: $9.00
I've seen these guys described as country-rock which isn't an entirely apt label unless you consider CSN&Y to be a country-rock act.
Singer/guitarist Douglas Mark had previously been a member of The Grains of Sand and The Sunshine Company. Following The Sunshine Company's collapse, 1970 found him living in Los Angeles still trying to make it in music. Recruiting drummer Bob Bereman, singer/guitarist Dave Hodgkins, and bassist Bill Kirkham the quartet was signed by the Pentagram label, making their debut with 1970's cleverly titled "Redeye". Produced by Al Schmitt, judging by tracks like 'Empty White Houses' and '199 Thoughts Too Late' CSN&Y, Poco,and other Southern California soft rock had clearly been on their turntables. Largely penned by Hodkins, virtually the entire album exhibited CSN&Y styled melodies, vocal harmonies, and even occasional jazzy-styled guitar segments (check out the opening to 'Oregon Bound'). The CSN&Y comparisons were occasionally truly scary ('Games'), making for an album that wasn't particularly original, but still had a certain charm. A cheap thrill for true CSN&Y fans. The band actually enjoyed a fluke hit single via:
- 1970's 'Games' b/w 'Collections of Yesterday and Now' (Pentagram catalog number PE-204) # 27 pop
Propelled by the single and some favorable reviews the parent album actually sold modestly, peaking at # 113 on the pop charts.
"Redeye" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Games (Dave Hodgkins) - 2:59
2.) Empty White Houses (Dave Hodgkins) - 2:40
3.) Mississippi Stateline (Dave Hodgkins) - 3:54
4.) Green Grass (Dave Hodgkins) - 3:04
5.) Down Home Run (Dave Hodgkins) - 2:45
(side
2)
1.) Dadaelus' Unfinished Dream (Dave
Hodgkins - Bill Kirkham) - 2:45
2.) Oregon Bound (Dave Hodgkins) - 3:12
3.) Your Train Is Leaving (Dave Hodgkins) - 2:42
4.) 199 Thoughts Too Late (Dave Hodgkins) - 2:27
5.) Collections of Yesterday and Now (Dave Hodgkins) - 4:26
I've never heard it, but there's a sophomore LP: 1971's "One Man's Poison" (Pentagram catalog number PE-10 006)
"One Man's Poison" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I'm Goin' Blind
2.) Red Eye Blues
3.) The Seeker
4.) It'll Get Better
5.) The making of a Hero
(side
2)
1.) You Don't Need It
2.) Walter Why Knott
3.) Someone
4.) Beginning To End
5.) Cold In the Night
There are also two more singles:
- 1971's 'Red Eye Blues' b/w '? (Pentagram catalog number PE-206) # 78 pop
- 1973's 'Just a Little More' b/w '' (Pentagram catalog number PE-207)
Mark also released an LP entitled "Redeye - Back To the Wall" (Wrinkle catalog WR-1). Never seen a copy and never heard it, though I'd be curious.
