This only album by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods is one of the best of a genre that includes Jigsaw, Pilot, Paper Lace and other hook savvy bands.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods
ALBUM: Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods
LABEL: ABC Records
SERIAL: ABC-D-824
YEAR: 1974
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Bo Donaldson – keyboards, trumpet, vocals * Mike Gibbons – lead vocals, trumpet, bass * Rick Joswick – lead vocals, percussion * David Krock – bass, trumpet, vocals * Gary Coveyou – reeds, woodwinds, vocals * Nicky Brunetti – drums, percussion, vocals * Scott Baker – guitars, vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Girl, Don’t Make Me Wait * 02 Who Do Think You Are * 03 Fool’s Way Of Lovin’ * 04 Hang Your Lamp In The Window * 05 Deeper And Deeper * 06 Goodnight And Good Morning * 07 Billy, Don’t Be A Hero * 08 Goodbye Holly, Goodbye * 09 Keep On Believin’ In Love * 10 Don’y Ever Look Back * 11 The Last Blues Song
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
One look at the album photo and I am sure many will pass over this review, but their loss I say, yet who can blame them? Yikes, incredibly scary outfits that no one should have to wear, let alone look at and I wonder what the PR guys at ABC were thinking?
Often on these pages, I have made known my passion for early 70’s pop music and the only album by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods is one of the best of a genre that includes Jigsaw, Pilot, Paperlace and other hook savvy bands.
The Heywoods formed in the mid-60’s releasing more than a few singles to some acclaim, but it was a tour with The Osmonds and the huge hit ‘Billy, Don’t Be A Hero’ that put the group on the musical map.
The Songs
Sugar sweet and frothy, the music of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods offers no pretensions. It is what it is, music to make the listener happy and feel good. From the opening chords of ‘Girl, Don’t Make Me Wait’ and the pure pop blitz of Jigsaw‘s Clive Scott/Des Dyer penned ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ to the hook maddening ‘Billy, Don’t Be A Hero’ (the same track the British band Paperlace made popular), these guys knew what they were doing and they did it well.
If there is one issue I have with the record it’s after twenty minutes or so there tends to be an inescapable sameness to the tunes. A little bit of variety would have been nice, but it’s just a minor issue and shouldn’t deter anyone from enjoying the record.
In Summary
These guys are still around it seems, playing the occasional gig and there is a Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods ‘Best Of’ disc available from the bands web site. Many of you will find their music lacking in substance or a little too light in trousers, but for lovers of pure pop it didn’t get much better than this.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
