Formed in 1966, Eyes Of Blue won the Melody Maker “Beat Contest” that year and signed to Decca’s Deram label. Following the release of some unrepresentative singles (later disowned by the band), the group came to the attention of producer Lou Reizner and the lineup of Gary Pickford-Hopkins (vocals), Wyndham Rees (vocals), Phil Ryan (keyboards), Ray “Taff” Williams (guitar), Ritchie Francis (bass) and John Weathers (drums) recorded their debut album, “Crossroads Of Time.” Finally released by Mercury Records in early 1969, the record was a fine mixture of original compositions and imaginative covers, (such as “7+7 Is” and “Yesterday“). The album’s title-track and “Love is the Law” were penned by the legendary Graham Bond, who also wrote the original album notes.
A highly original album with Psychedelic, Jazz and Classical influences, “Crossroads Of Time” is now regarded as a classic of the era and is much sought after by collectors. In the Spring of 1969 Wyndham Rees departed and the band recorded “In Fields of Ardath“, a more “Progressive” album, touching on a range of influences from Psychedelic Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Indian and Classical Music. Following its release Eyes Of Blue ended their association with Mercury records and headed further into a progressive rock direction, recording a third album with Lou Rezener. The excellent “Bluebell Wood” was issued on the Progressive label Pegasus Records in 1971 under the moniker of Big Sleep. By the time of the album’s release the band had disintegrated leaving phil Ryan to join Pete Brown’s Piblokto! Before joining up with fellow Welsh legends Man. John Weathers would later join Gentle Giant before also joining Man in the 1980s.
• NEW 3 CD CLAMSHELL BOX SET OF THE RECORDINGS MADE BY LEGENDARY WELSH PSYCHEDELIC / PROGRESSIVE ROCK BAND EYES OF BLUE ISSUED BETWEEN 1969 & 1971.
• INCLUDES THE ALBUMS “CROSSROADS OF TIME,” “IN FIELDS OF ARDATH” & THE RARE ALBUM “BLUEBELL WOOD” (ISSUED UNDER THE NAME BIG SLEEP).
• WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET & ESSAY.
• REVIEWS & FEATURES IN NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS, PROGRESSIVE ROCK JOURNAL, UNCUT, MOJO, RECORD COLLECTOR & CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINES PLUS COVERAGE ON RELEVANT WEBSITES & FANZINES.
Pre-Order here: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/eyes-of-blue-the-light-we-see-the-recordings-1969-1971-3cd-box-set
Tracklist:
DISC ONE – Crossroads of Time
01 Crossroads of Time
02 Never Care
03. I’ll Be Your Friend
04. 7 + 7 Is
05. Prodigal Son
06. Largo
07. Love is the Law
08. Yesterday
09. I Wonder Why
10. World of Emotion
11. Inspiration for a New Day
Bonus Track:
12. Q III (mono)
DISC TWO – In Fields of Ardath
01. Merry Go Round
02. The Light We See
03. Souvenirs (Tribute to Django)
04. Ardath
05. Spanish Blues
06. Door (The Child That is Born on the Sabbath Day)
07. Little Bird
08. After the War
09. Extra Hour
10. Chances
Bonus Track:
11. Apache ’69 (mono)
DISC THREE – BIG SLEEP – Bluebell Wood
01. Death of a Hope
02. Odd Song
03. Free Life
04. Aunty James
05. Saint and Sceptic
06. Bluebell Wood
07. Watching Love Grow
08. When the Sun Was Out