SPACESHIP EARTH

We all know this Denver-based band for the 1970 hit "Green-Eyed Lady", which you can find the full version on their 1970 debut. Shortly after their debut the group brought in Bobby Yeazel, which helped the band focus entirely on originals this time (the debut had some originals, but a bunch of covers too). Also the songs are shorter. I actually find this album better than their debut, because they went for tighter compositions and not so much stuff that meanders. This album is really all over the place musically, but surprisingly well focused for a band pulling something like that off. The title track is a great prog number, while "Hot Water" is a heavy number, with some great organ playing. "Rusty Cloud" has a bit of a Southern Rock feel. "Rollin' Hills" is no doubt the work of an American band, with that folk/country/blues feel. "Mother Nature's Wine" was an attempt at another "Green Eyed Lady", complete with that same Hammond organ playing and clavinet, but as you know, it was never a hit. "Woman" features some great vocal harmonies. "Music Box" is basically a song about a person in love with the music box dancer, and the music imitates a music box, with the celeste, and the way the music slows down at the end like the music box slowing down after it was wound up. "Tongue in Cheek" is a rather heavy number. To me I found the album rather enjoyable, but for many progheads, I have to warn you: not everything here is prog, and the music is often very American, the vocals sound very American, because they were American (unlike, say Cathedral with Stained Glass Stories who went out of their way to sound like a British band, same for Starcastle or Fireballet). But I was surprised to enjoy the album as much as I do given the diverse styles explored here. Certainly the album didn't spawn a hit like "Green-Eyed Lady", but that didn't matter to me as this was quite good.

This is SUGARLOAF's second album released in 1971. The big change is the addition of vocalist and guitarist Bob Yeazel and this was a significant move as he composed almost everything on this album. The debut certainly had it's share of cover songs so i'm sure he was brought in to create some original material. There's a completely different vibe to this record compared to the debut where we got a lot of jamming. Shorter tracks here with almost a countryish / West coast thing happening.

"Spaceship Earth" is one of the better tracks and it doesn't kick into a groove until before 2 1/2 minutes. I like this a lot. A real CAMEL vibe on this opening instrumental at times. "Rusty Cloud" is an uptempo vocal track. There's a definite enviromental flavour to the lyrics throughout this album. Cool tune. "I Don't Need You Baby" is where they slow it down and it has a bluesy feel to it. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Harmonies too with piano and drums standing out. "Rollin' Hills" has harmonica and country vibe to it as he sings about those rollin' hills, sunshine and his friends the trees.

"Mother Nature's Wine" opens with keyboards that remind me of "Green-Eyed Lady". Again the earth is the subject matter. Good song. "Country Dawg" opens with guitar but soon the vocals and organ join in. Not a fan of this one. "Woman" isn't much better to be honest. "Music Box" is a short 2 1/2 minute track with the music box playing and reserved vocals. Three very average tunes in a row. "Tongue In Cheek" ends the album and this is much better. In fact this was a hit for them back then although I don't recognize it. The bonus track I do remember called "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You". In fact I think I had this on a K-Tel record when I was like 14 years old (haha). A rant against record companies really but very dynamic and this is from their 1975 album of the same name.

It's interesting reading leader Jerry Corbetta's thoughts about their experience. He talks about how "Green-Eyed Lady" from their debut became an unexpected hit settling in at number 3 in the Billboard charts. They were an overnight success and they were thrust into touring opening for JETHRO TULL and many looked at them as bubblegum because of their lone hit. He says it was like the cart ahead of the horse scenerio. By the way they named themselves after the Sugarloaf mountain range in Colorado. I will always treasure "Green-Eyed Lady".