Redwing - 2 albums

Redwing was a great band from Sacramento Ca. that was famous in The Netherlands and absolutely unknown in the rest of the world. Their music sounds somewhere between Poco and The Outlaws. Countryrock with the accent on rock, beautiful razorsharp harmonies and great guitar playing. One of the founders of the band was Timothy B. Schmidt who left the band shortly before the recording of the first album to join Poco and the would return to play on the second album What This Country Needs and later would become one of The Eagles. The band recorded five albums that never have been re-issued on cd, so these ones are taken straight from the vinyl to re-introduce some guys that threw the best live musical party I've ever heard.

In 1965, the New Breed cut a single, "Green Eyed Woman" b/w "I'm in Love," which was quite successful as a regional hit in Northern California. The B-Side, "I'm in Love," was actually a Lennon-McCartney tune that never appeared on a Beatles record. However, the New Breed's rendition was extremely faithful to the Beatle-sound, almost sounding as though it was a track that could have been pulled right off of A Hard Days Night; production-wise, it was very much in the "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You" vein. The New Breed next recorded an album's worth of material. Most of the 11 tracks were cover tunes, but there were a few New Breed originals recorded. Due to problems with their label, the record was not released.

In 1966, under their own label, World United, the band recorded a new single, "Fine With Me" b/w "The Sound of Music." The band's music mirrored the progressive changes that were happening in the music world around this time, and their follow-up single "Wand Ad Reader," was, essentially, a New Breed re-write of "Paperback Writer." Around 1968, the band signed on with a new label, Equinox, under producer Terry Melcher, who had the group change their name to Glad. In Los Angeles, Glad recorded one album, Feelin' Glad. The album, again, is very Beatlesque, but it is a highly produced effort, more so like the post-'65 Beatles. Apparently, the band was unhappy with the album due to the fact that they had very little control over it. Certain parts of the record were overdubbed with strings, horns, and fancy production against the band's wishes. Unfortunately, Feelin' Glad did not sell particularly well, and in 1969, Tim Schmit, aka, Timothy B. Schmit was offered the position of bassist for Poco . He accepted it and went onto record some of the most under appreciated music ever with the band. He became the replacement for Randy Meisner, who, ironically, he would replace again in the Eagles in 1977. With Poco, Tim released 11 albums.

Glad, again, changed their name. This time, they became Redwing. Replacing Tim was Andy Samuels, formerly of Nate Shiner's Band. Samuels was really another guitarist, and not really a bassist, although he would play some bass on Redwing's albums and was--according to soon-to-be-bassist Dale Lyberger--quite accomplished. Although it seems that the band never actually found an "official," long-term bassist, several four-stringers played with the group over the ensuing years--most notably Dale Lyberger, John Myers, and Buddy Harpham.

Redwing did well locally, but, unfortunately, never made it nationally. Under the Fantasy label, they released 5 records--one each year starting in 1971: Redwing, What this Country Needs..., Take Me Home, Dead or Alive, and Beyond the Sun and Stars. Much like with the New Breed and Glad, each record reflected the band's style evolving and incorporated new ideas. (More information is available on each record on the records page.) By the time of the release of Beyond the Sun and Stars, the band's final record, the spark that originally defined the band had diminished. The end was not too far away, and the group disbanded not too long afterwards.

Although the 5 Redwing LPs remain unreleased on CD and long out of print, those who have had or have been able to find vinyl copies recognize that the group left behind some fine music. The members of the New Breed (including Timothy B. Schmit) still occasionally see each other, and have reunited for a few jams over the years: usually at high school reunions. After all, Encina High School was the place where it all started so many years back.



A natural follow-up to the self-titled LP, this record is a bit bluesier than its predecessor, and not quite as gritty. There are three cover songs on this album, all of which are based on basic 12-bar blues patterns. Another strong album, although two Chuck Berry songs may be too much. While the band used songs they'd been playing for years on their debut, this LP finds the group with not as many up-to-snuff originals ready to roll--thus the number of cover songs. It's still a good LP, and the songs are well-done. George Hullin writes a tune on this record.

Song Title Writing Credits Lead Vocal
Reaching Out (Samuels/Phillips/Floegel) Samuels
Baby C'mon (Phillips/Floegel) Floegel
Waitin' In Jail (Samuels/Phillips/Floegel) Samuels
Walkin' the Dog (Rufas Thomas) Samuels
Soul Theft (Samuels/Phillips/Floegel) Floegel
Hometown Boy (Samuels/Floegel) Samuels & Floegel
Bye Bye Johnny (Chuck Berry) Samuels
Every Man Needs a Woman (Samuels/Phillips/Floegel) Floegel
One of America's Ten Most Wanted Men (Hullin) Hullin
Oh, Carol (Chuck Berry) Samuels

Personnel:
Ron Floegel (rhythm guitar, vocals)
Tom Phillips (guitar, slide guitar)
George Hullin (drums, vocals, trumpet)
Andrew Samuels (lead guitar, vocals)
Also:
Tim Schmit (bass)
Dave Lyberger (bass)
Dave Fraser (piano)
Skip Mesquite (saxophone)




A big change for the band, as the harder-edge is replaced with elements of country and bluegrass, including two bluegrass instrumentals. The guys are starting to write on their own on this album, whereas previously, there were mostly collaborative efforts between the band members. Tom Phillips seems to be bringing most of the country influence. Phillips also sings lead for the first time on a Redwing album.

Song Title Writing Credits Lead Vocal
Here I Go Again (Phillips/Floegel) Floegel
Fast Locomotive (Floegel) Floegel
Our Day (Samuels) Samuels
Katy Warren Breakdown (K. Warren, arr. Samuels) - (Instrumental)
Lost Highway (Samuels/Phillips/Floegel) Floegel
Take Me Home (Phillips) Phillips
Lowdown Samuels (Bogas) Hullin
The Maker's Chain (Samuels) Samuels
Fingerlickin' (Phillips) (Phillips) (Instrumental)
Burnin' Love (Floegel) Floegel

Personnel:
Ron Floegel (rhythm guitar, vocals)
Tom Phillips (guitars, keys, vocals)
George Hullin (drums, vocals)
Andrew Samuels (guitar, bass, vocals)
John Myers (bass)