Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Over the Hills
Company: Probe
Catalog: CPLP-4506
Year: 1969
Country/State: Boston, Massachusetts
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: Canadian non-gatefold pressing
Available: SOLD
GEMM catalog ID: SOLD
Price: SOLD
Cost: $66.00
Not to be
confused with the Ohio-based One St. Steven, this Boston,
Massachusetts-based outfit is one of those mystery acts nobody seems to know
all that much about. While some references refer to it as a band, it
was apparently a one-man act led by former Front Page Review and late-inning
Ultimate Spinach alumnus Steve Cataldo. Regardless, of his background,
St. Steven managed to release one intriguing album on ABC's Probe
subsidiary.
Confusingly, even though the album title credits 'Saint Steven, the 13
tracks are credited to 'St. Steven'. Even Probe Records seemed
confused since the single 'Ay-Aye-Poe-Day' b/w 'Louisiana Home' (Probe
catalog number 465) was credited to St. Steven. While we're not sure
what the right name is, 1969's John Turner produced "Over
the Hills" is certainly worth hearing. Musically the set
offers up a bizarre mix of commercial folk-rock ('Grey Skies'), pseudo-psych
moves ('Bastich 1'), hard rock ('Poor Small') and sound effects ('Voyage To
Cleveland'). In spite of it's lack of focus, Cataldo was a more than decent
singer and capable of writing attractive and quite commercial material.
"Over the Hills" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Over the
Hills (St. Steven) - 0:40
2.) Animal Hall (St. Steven) - 2:50
3.) Gladacadova (St. Steven) - 2:12
4.) Poor Small (St. Steven) - 2:41
5.) Ay-Aye-Poe-Day (St. Steven) - 3:25
6.) Grey Skies (St. Steven) - 2:51
7.) Over the Hills (St. Steven) - 1:00
(side
2)
1.) Bastich 1 (St. Steven) - 2:30
2.) Voyage To Cleveland (St. Steven) - 2:50
3.) Sun In the Flame (St. Steven) - 2:30
4.) Bright Lights (St. Steven) - 1:00
5.) Louisiana Home (St. Steven) - 2:51
6.) Bastich II (St. Steven) - 1:05
In the ensuing years the album's been reissued several times, including the
European TRC and BOD labels.
In the mid-'70s Cataldo reappeared as a member of The Nervous Eaters (see
separate entry).
These recordings are the work of a Steve Cataldo (ex-Front Page Review) and the album certainly is rather interesting and highly-rated by many. The U.K. See For Miles reissue label tried to buy the rights to this album but MCA deny all knowledge of the tapes!
The two sides of the album are titled "The Bastich" and "Over The Hills", which is why the latter is often referred to as the title in dealers' lists. The bonus cuts erroneously added to the reissue of the One St. Stephen album are actually by Steve Cataldo's previous outfit Front Page Review.
Ambitious and eclectic
Boss-Town sound that's received some hype recently though I can't say I'm
too impressed with it. Fuzzed hippierock mixed with folkie bits and
interesting lyrics but nowhere as drugged and great as Ultimate Spinach or
the first Beacon St Union. May appeal more to fans of early UK/Euro artrock
and prog. Earlier recordings as the Frontpage Review have been made
available. A Canadian original pressing exists without gatefold. See also
comment for One St Stephen.