Eyes Of Blue – ‘The Light We See: The Recordings 1969-1971’ (2024)
Welsh psych/prog rock band Eyes Of Blue issued two albums on the Mercury Records label in 1969. Cherry Red Records has compiled those LPs supplemented by both sides of a non-LP single and a third long player released under the Big Sleep moniker on Pegasus Records in 1971 in a three disc box set which takes its name from a track on the group’s second album.
Following the release of a series of label selected single sides on the Deram label, Eyes Of Blue consisting of Phil Ryan (organ, piano), Ritchie Francis (bass, keyboards), John “Pugwash” Weathers (drums, vocals), Raymond “Taff” Williams (lead guitar), Gary Pickford-Hopkins (vocals, guitar) and Wyndham Rees (vocals) entered the studio with American producer Lou Reizner to begin work on their debut album ‘Crossroads Of Time’ which took its title from the opening track, one of two Graham Bond covers, an anti-war tale of Armageddon dominated by Ryan’s Hammond B-3 organ. The remainder of side one of the LP consists of riff driven rock and roll. “Never Care” and “I’ll Be Your Friend” like all the band originals are Francis compositions, with Williams’ guitar and Ryan’s organ dominating. A hot cover of Love’s “7+7 Is” is followed by the Eastern influenced, feedback laden “Prodigal Son” which also includes social commentary. “Largo” is lighter, showcasing the group’s vocal harmonies. The second Graham Bond cover is “Love Is The Law” a jazz influenced take with vocal harmonies and a memorable Hammond interlude by Ryan. A cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday” features Vanilla Fudge influenced driving Hammond and heavy guitar. “I Wonder Why” offers jazz organ, while “World Of Emotion” features classical organ and more vocal harmonies. Album closer “Inspiration For A New Day” is a showcase for Williams’ guitar prowess including two solos. The disc ends with the non-LP single side “QIII” in its mono mix, the instrumental reminiscent of ELP with the addition of driving electric guitar.
Disc two contains ‘In Fields Of Ardath” which, in contrast to the debut, comprises eight band originals, with contributions by all members, and two covers. “Merry Go Round” is a pleasant blend of heavy guitar, Hammond accents and vocal harmonies. The box set’s title track is a fine piece of progressive rock with Weathers and Williams contributing memorable solos. “Souvenirs” is a Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grapelli cover, with Williams shining on the jazz classic. “Ardath” has a jazzy, light tempo and progressive rock guitar work. “Spanish Blues” is a
jazz fusion Graham Bond cover with gliding guitar and a Hammond interlude. “Door (The Child That Is Born On The Sabbath Day)” shifts from its Spanish guitar intro to a driving rock/fusion tempo. “Little Bird” is a gentle piano and vocal harmony tune. “After The War” is a heavy slice of jazz fusion with guitar blasts courtesy of Williams. “Extra Hour” is a relaxed piano piece with ethereal vocals. The LP closes with “Chances”, a folkish guitar and harmonica based track. The bonus track non-LP single side “Apache ‘69” closes the disc with its hot lead guitar line supplemented by Hammond organ.
Disc three consists of the ‘Bluebell Wood’ album issued under the Big Sleep moniker, by which time vocalist Rees had exited the band. “Death Of A Hope” is mellow, its gentle guitar and piano supplemented by strings. “Odd Song” and “Free Life” begin as acoustic guitar and organ melodies before tempo changes lead to electric guitar outros. “Aunty James” is a delicate piano and organ tune. “Saint And Sceptic” features Hammond organ, wah wah aided electric guitar and backward tapes before a tempo change leads to a delicate melody with choral vocals and strings. The album title track is an eleven and a half minute magnum opus with a jazz intro led by acoustic guitar, flute and horns. The tempo picks up with wah wah aided electric guitar before a Hammond interlude slows things down. Williams’ guitar once again hastens the tempo aided by Ryan’s organ leading to a driving drum outro. “Watching Love Grow” is a gentle piano
driven love song leading up to album closer “When The Sun Was Out” an upbeat pop rocker with tasty Williams guitar and pounding Ryan piano.
‘The Light We See: The Recordings 1969-1971’ comes in a clamshell box with each of its discs in cardboard mini-LP sleeves. The set includes a full color 32 page booklet with complete track annotations, is lavishly illustrated with band photos, album and single artwork, posters and press clippings, as well as an extensive essay by compiler Mark Powell. Eyes Of Blue and Big Sleep sound better than ever thanks to the re-mastering job by Ben Wiseman. The set will appeal to fans of 1960s and 1970s rock, psychedelic and progressive rock, and classic rock in general, and comes highly recommended.
Kevin Rathert
Eyes Of Blue ‘The Light We See: The Recordings 1969-1971’ (Esoteric Recordings, 2024)
