Customer Reviews

Head East / Gettin Lucky

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I know I'm preaching to the choir as no one is just going to stumble onto this review, so it'll be to the point. Yes, they should've been bigger than they were instead of being limited in appeal to over-40 Midwestern natives, etc etc. We can all agree on that.

I think Head East's second and third albums, "Get Yourself Up" and "Gettin Lucky" were their best, and the most under-represented on the otherwise decent 20th Century Masters CD. While "Get Yourself Up" is still not available on CD, "Gettin' Lucky" is the first half of this CD. Boyd was at the top of his game with the keyboards and synthesizers, Somerville was great with both acoustic guitar and the power chords, and the entire album is clean-sounding and more importantly, re-mastered well. Best tunes are the title track with the snarling organ, "Back In My Own Hands" with the aforementioned acoustic and synthesizers and my favorite, "Call to Arms and Legs"; a once-dated but somehow relevant-again environmental message but more impotantly, about as hard-charging a tune they've ever done. You want to turn that one up loud, women, children and dogs be damned.

Their eponymous (I love that word) fourth album is the back half of this CD, and not quite as strong as "Gettin' Lucky" as they de-emphasized the keyboards and synthesizers for guitar power (the further and largely unsatisfactory changes seen in the subsequent "A Different Kind of Crazy", I think, was a precursor toward this band's demise). However, it still works well if you're a fan. This album contained Russ Ballard's "Since You Been Gone", the only Head East tune you ever hear on the radio other than "Never Been Any Reason". Other good tracks include "Open Up the Door", "Man I Wanna Be" and "Dance Away Lover". This album has a lot of upbeat lyrics with some spiritually-tinged numbers, perhaps a precursor to Schlitt's later career as a member of the Christian rock band Petra.

You have to be a fan, but if you are, this is a must-have.

These are my 2 Favorite Head East Albums on one cd. My two Favorite songs by them are Back In My Own Hands, and Getting Lucky. Also Take It On Home, Call To Arms And Legs, Open Up The Door, Nothing To Loose,and I'm Feelin Fine which are all Great Songs by this Group.What more could You ask for having these two Great Albums on one cd. If You like Head East. You will want this Great Combo.

Truely one of the under rated bands in rock. There's no profound message just good music. So much better than my old worn LP's. 2 albums back to back is so great. Simple party songs, easy lyrics, good guitar riffs, very 70's.

I saw Head East & Black Oak in concert together in Minot, ND in the late 70's. A terrible snow storm restricted many fans from making it to the concert, limiting the attendance to only a few hundred people. Both bands were spectacular! It was my first concert, and the small audience size made it that much better. This intimate setting, while laid back, didn't hinder the bands one bit. They seemed to enjoy the freedom and rocked harder than ever.

Not all the songs on this two-album set are great, but they're solid reminders of a group of blue-collar, hard working, dedicated musicians. They would've played for free if just given the chance to be heard. The Gettin Lucky album is worth 3 stars, but the Head East album is a solid 4 stars. If you like 70's bands like Journey, REO Speedwagon, & BTO, this album will fit the bill. However, if you only want one Head East album, then get "Flat as a Pancake."

Now if I could just find a CD of Black Oak (no Arkansas) my 70's fix would be complete.

WOW!!!! Every song on here is fantastic!I have always loved the band Head East, but never really heard any songs other than the songs on the Flat as a Pancake album.Do youself a favor and add this to your collection today!

This band should have been bigger than they were and it just goes to show you can have a lot of talent, but if the record company does not back you, you won't go anywhere. The real talent with this band were their vocal harmonies and especially the lead singer John Schmidt.

"Open up the Door" is a kick-butt rocking song, that rocks with the best of them, plain and simple.

If you're interested check out John Schimdt on You Tube. He has quite a story to tell. If you liked John's voice you can hear him with the Christain Band: Petra. Check out Youtube and Petra and the song Beyond Belief.

Who said you have to be from the midwest to like these guys. South Carolina born and bread and loved there music since the beginning.

This is my 2nd best CD by Head East. Hopefully the LIVE CD will issued soon. Both of these albums are great for the "hard core" fans. A must have. They don't tour as much as when I was younger, but I don't get around that much either. Buy the CD and have fun.

If your a Head East fan then most definitely purchase this CD. Their music is still the standard for the Mid-West sound.

The self titled album is even better than Flat as a Pancake, and Gettin Lucky is great as well.