Eyes of Blue for eclectic prog

I discovered this band on Planet Melotron and listened to them and found them not in the arcives. Listened to them and found them to be a link between symphonic prog and baroque pop of the 60s. Similar in sound to Procol Harum and the Zombies, with symphonic touches of East of Eden. Very ahead of their time and fun to listen to.


Here are sound links from spotify, two albums
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eyes-of-blue-mn0000724876https://open.spotify.com/album/0EwNwVhsctHIc8C0cB4G6k?si=5LyPoimFQJKuR8Avb0ELdAhttps://open.spotify.com/album/4ly0WdVTISiRmDuUAmx0lM?si=W48r4LRMRYaTMPoSmyDDug

Edited by Icarium - October 16 2018 at 10:57

The spotify link for 'The Crossroads Of Time' album doesn't have any 'play' buttons enabled here in the UK, so here is that album in full on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqTUJ121Mgw.

Edited by yam yam - September 20 2018 at 15:23

From https://www.discogs.com/Eyes-Of-Blue-The-Crossroads-Of-Time/master/406283:

I feel they also have symphonic elements, but the beare a better fit for eclectic.

Edited by Icarium - September 25 2018 at 14:40

It might be bit premature to take it to Proto Prog methinks -- if questionably Prog, then I think it better to go through the Prog teams first, and then they might recommend it to Proto Prog. See these guidelines on Proto prog evaluations: CLICK Suggestions tend to get put to us once a process has been gone through (the research has been done quite thoroughly, there is plenty of support for it, and a formal proposal is made to the admin).

That said, I have taken to the time to do some research of my own.

If included, I would recommend not just including the two albums by Eyes of Blue -- Crossroads of Time (1968) and In Fields of Ardath (1969) -- but also the Big Sleep album Bluebell Wood from 1971 as this seems to be the same band under another name.

See https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/eyes-of-blue



I have't listened to much, but off the first two album from what I've heard, I do get a Proto Prog vibe from the music, and that it features John "Pugwash" Weathers does make it more interesting. Additionally, Phil Ryan who played keys (organ, piano, Mellotron) with Eyes of Blue/ Big Sleep, also played keys with Man on Be Good to Yourself at Least Once a Day which is included in Psyche at PA. There is sort of psyche, heavy pysche, art rock, baroque and rather symph progressive feel to music by Eyes of Blue.

Furthermore, The Neutrons is included in Eclectic Prog in PA, and it featured several of the musicians of Eyes of Blue/ Big Sleep.   It was formed in part by Phil Ryan and also featured John Wethers, and was something of an offshoot from Man. It also featured Ray "Taff" Williams on guitars, bass, and he was with Eyes of Blue/ Big Sleep.

So there's considerable prog relation both musically and in terms of personnel.

Anyway, while there is a possibility for Eyes of Blue/ Big Sleep (that's how I would add it from what I know) in proto-prog or prog-related, I think that perhaps it should go through a Prog team first. If any SC or team member, thinks it should go straight to the PP/PR guys, then we can evaluate it properly. Although there has been something of a rule that the PP/PR people base their decision on arguments presented to them (has already been deemed very suitable by various people before coming to us and the proposal is strong), I certainly do like to hear all of the music first before making a decision.

Again, I haven't listened to it enough yet to have a good feel for where it should go. It's often considered to be a Psyche band but to me it's more Psychy Bluesy Heavy Art Rock. You might want to PM an active team member, if you know who is active, from your category of choice, and this might end up in Proto prog or Prog Related, but it is better to go through the Prog proper route first as a general rule when that is seen as a possibility.


Edited by Logan - October 15 2018 at 12:24

As proposed earlier, the eclectic team would be a good starting point IMO

^ That's interesting too.

^^ Okay. Then, I might suggest that Icarium edits the title to add that in so that an Eclectic team member will be more likely to notice. On second thought, while I haven't listened to enough to personally vouch for suitability of inclusion in Eclectic (I used to be a member of the Eclectic team), I'll drop a link to this in their team thread (it does cross Psych, Heavy and Symph styles to these ears to whatever extent and does fall into the art rock sphere to my ears -- Eclectic is one of the categories that split from Art Rock). I mentioned it to them.

Edited by Logan - October 16 2018 at 10:59

Thanks, Christoffer. I have brought it to their attention.

Icarium wrote: How far have the team got in the process of evaluation?