Artist: White Eyes
Album: White Eyes
Country: US
Genre: Classic Rock, Folk Rock, Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Release: 2015
Quality: FLAC | lossless

Chooglin’ through Midwest backwater towns in a 1953 Cadillac Hearse – appropriately named “Black Boris” – Missouri’s White Eyes were almost another lost to time psychedelic band. That was until the Numero Group happened upon them amongst a dusty filing cabinet, via the long defunct booking agency New Sound Projections. In it they found a one-sheet containing an ominous logo and a brief, but spirited, description of the group …

“Also hailing from Missouri, these talented musicians have delighted audiences in coffeehouses, dances and concerts alike. White Eyes blend of both acoustic and rock material teamed with the lusty voice of their female lead singer are reminiscent of the style of the Jefferson Airplane. Their concert appearances include a very well-received performance with The Flying Burrito Brothers”.

Forty years later Numero’s swift detective work uncovered Butch Dillion, White Eye’s drummer, who still had in his possession the original master tapes of the group’s unreleased demos. Recorded between 1969 and 1970, the self-titled LP was intended to be shopped around to prospective labels and industry insiders – though it never occurred. Opening with the sparse vocal harmonizing and hand claps of “It’s For You” before exploding into an incendiary fuzzed guitar solo that rumbles down the road into a smokin’ version of “I Know You Rider” — nodding heavily to the late, great lysergic jammers The Grateful Dead. Tucked deep on side B is “Hard Hard Livin’’ a heavy blues with Kathy Helmick’s raspy hypnotic vocals recalling another great yet underappreciated group, Ellen McIlwaine’s Fear Itself. Comparisons aside, the well-crafted arrangements and crisp, tight production make this an outstanding piece of lost Bay Area inspired Mid-West psychedelia.

Tracklist:
1. It's For You - 3:47
2. Streetcar Love - 3:25
3. Rider - 4:10
4. October - 5:22
5. I Know What It's Like - 3:16
6. Hard Hard Livin' - 4:05
7. A Girl On A Hill - 4:34
8. I'm Not A Free Man - 4:02