line up 1 (1968)

- Skip Boone (RIP 2015) -- bass 
- Darius Davenport -- drums, percussion 
- Eric Kaz -- keyboards
- Steve Soles -- vocals 
- Artie Traum -- guitar 

- American Flyer (Eric Kaz)
- Autosalvage (Steve Boone and Darius Davenport)
- The Blues Magoos (Eric Kaz)
- Eric Kaz (solo efforts)
- Eric Kaz and Craig Fuller
- Mud Acres (Eric Kaz and Artie Traum)  

- Steve Soles (solo effort)

- Artie Traum (solo efforts)

Genre: psych 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Greetings Children of Paradise

Company: Verve Forecast

Catalog: FTS-3059

Year: 1968

Country/State: Boston, Mass, USA

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: SOLD

Catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD

Cost: $

Produced by Appletree Theatre's John Boylan, Bear featured the talents of keyboardist Eric Kaz, singer Steve Soles and guitarist Artie Traum; joined by fromer Autosalvage bassist Skip Boone and drummer Darius Davenport. I n spite of the cheesy cover and title (thank Mr. John's Palace of Fashion for the cover photo), 1968's "Greetings Children of Paradise" was actually pretty good. With three prime members writing (Soles penning most of his material with brother Michael), the ten tracks were varied, including competent stabs at country-rock ("The Hungry Dogs of New Mexico"), fairly conventional pop ("Don't You Ever Want To Think About Them?"), rock, psych and even jazz ("What Difference?"). Soles had a nice voice (occasionally recalling Squeeze's Chris Difford - we're not kidding, check out "It's Getting Very Cold Outside"). (Actually, on reflection, the set's quirky charms actually compare nicely with Squeeze.) Sure, it won't change your life, but it's an album we keep in the occasional play pile. A commercial non-entity, the band quickly called it quits, with Kaz reappearing in a series of bands, including The Blues Magoos, American Flyer, Mud Acres (with Traum) and with a solo career (see separate entries). All three members also became in-demand sessions players.

"Greetings Children of Paradise" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Greetings   (Michael Soles - Steve Soles - Eric Kaz - Artie Traum) - 2:30
2.) So Loose and So Slow   (Michael Soles - Steve Soles) - 2:17
3.) Like Cats   (Michael Soles - Steve Soles) - 3:17
4.) Happy Days   (Eric Kaz) - 2:12
5.) What Difference?   (Artie Traum - Silber) - 6:24

(side 2)

1.) It's Getting Very Cold Outside   (Michael Soles - Steve Soles) - 3:08
2.) I Won't Be Hangin' 'Round   (Eric Kaz) - 3:00
3.) Don't Say a Word   (Michael Soles - Steve Soles) - 2:37
4.) Don't You Ever Want To Think About Them?   (Eric Kaz - John Boylan) - 3:24
5.) The Hungry Dogs of New Mexico   (Artie Traum) - 3:56