Plain and Fancy: 07/18/17

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Eyes Of Blue - In Fields Of Ardath (1969 uk, excellent prog psych rock, 2012 remaster and expanded)

Their second album is more progressive. The best tracks are Merry Go Round (from the 'Toy Grabbers' Soundtrack), which is a keyboard-dominated progressive piece with some good guitar breaks and much classical influence; Graham Bond's Spanish Blues, with some jazzy organ; Door, with its spooky vocals, which along with the dreamy title cut indicated the band's interest in the supernatural and the occult (especially reincarnation).

There was a native sensuality in their playing. Eyes Of Blue was musically curious - In Fields of Ardath is now regarded as a classic album of the era and is much sought after by collectors.

Phil Ryan later played in Man, whilst Weathers went onto play with Pete Brown and Piblokto! and Gentle Giant. Ritchie Francis later made a solo album in 1971. The band later recorded as Big Sleep and aided Ancient Grease on their sole album.

Tracks
1. Merry Go Round - 9:07
2. The Light We See (Gary Pickford Hopkins) - 2:13
3. Souvenis (Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli) - 2:42
4. Ardath (John "Pugwash" Weathers) - 2:36
5. Spanish Blues (Graham Bond) - 4:00
6. Door (Phil Ryan, R. Bennett) - 6:47
7. Little Bird - 2:32
8. After The War (John "Pugwash" Weathers) - 3:31
9. Extra Hour (Phil Ryan) - 2:39
10.Chances - 2:51
11.Apache '69 (J. Lordan) - 4:27
12.QIII (B-Side single) (L. Glas) - 2:31
13.Largo (A-side of Spanish single, released as Big Sleep) (George Frideric Handel) - 3:33
All songs by Ritchie Francis except where indicated

The Eyes Of Blue
*Phil Ryan - Organ, Piano
*Ritchie Francis - Bass, Piano, Vocals
*John "Pugwash" Weathers - Drums, Vocals
*Raymond "Taff' Williams - Guitar
*Gary Pickford Hopkins - Vocals, Guitars

1966-68 Eyes Of Blue - Crossroads Of Time (2012 extra tracks remaster)