line up:

- Mark Bishop -- drums, percussion

- Terry R. Brooks -- vocals, lead guitar

- Donnie Cappetta -- bass

- Lisa Glascock -- keyboards

- none known

Genre: rock

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  High Flyer

Company: Star People

Catalog: SPR-0013

Year: 1981

Country/State: Orlando, Florida

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: writing on cover; blue vinyl

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5372

Price: $35.00

My original review of this album has been on the web for at least four years.  Just one of hundreds I've posted, in the ensuing years I never got a single comment about it.  And then out of the blue I got a call from namesake Terry Brooks himself.  To make a long story short, Brooks and I spent a couple of weeks missing each other's calls (at the time I didn't know it was actually Brooks).  We finally connected and over the course of an extended conversation it turned out that Brooks was still active in music and was in the process of having some of his work turned into a film with backing from Rupert Murdoch (great timing).  Some of his financial backers had somehow stumbled across my website and weren't that thrilled with the write-up.  To his credit Brooks didn't ask me to modify the comments, but was more than willing to explain the context and inspiration of the album; particularly some of the lyrics that I apparently slammed in my original review.  Cutting to the core of the story, the lyrics had apparently been written for a planned film project somehow connected with Richard Bach of Jonathan Livingston Seagull fame (yeah it got a little confusing).

I frankly didn't remember a great deal about the Brooks' LP, except it didn't make much of an impression on me, but as I re-read my words, I'll be the first to admit that they came off as snide and pretty snarky.  I don't think I'd blame Mr. Brooks, or anyone if they were a bit pissed off by my write-up.  (The fact he took those comments gracefully says a great deal about Mr. Brook's character.)  So here's what I'm gonna do ...    I've actually got a couple of Terry Brooks LPs in my collection.  I'm going to pull them (along with this one), re-listen to them and post some updated review comments.  I won't change or delete by original comments, but will modify them as needed.

Scott  

July 2011

Guitarist Terry R. Brooks has an extensive discography and I've only heard a couple of his releases, so take my comments with a grain of salt since they may not be reflective of the rest of his work. Did that sound like a legal disclaimer or what ....   

Brook's earlier material reflected a distinctive hard rock and psych edge, whereas his later stage material bounced all over the spectrum.  Written, produced and arranged by Brooks, 1981's "High Flyer" was divided into 'Earth' and 'Space' side.  The 'Earth' side featured three rock tracks while the 'Space' side showcased four of Brooks 'softer' efforts. Normally I wouldn't subject someone to a track-by-track description of an album, but based on its wrongheaded quotient this one deserved a little more insight.  

"High Flyer" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) You Will Be Loved   (Terry Brooks) - 5:24  rating: **** stars

'You Will Be Loved' started the album off with a patented slice of Brooks hard-rock moves.  Complete with manic vocals, mind-numbing fast and crude guitar and dumb-as-a-doorknob lyrics you either loved it, or hate it.  No in-betweens with respect to this one.   I have head knocker tendencies so I'll give it a high rating.

2.) Child of the City   (Terry Brooks) - 5:30

3.) Rock and Roll Woman   (Terry Brooks) - 4:26   rating: ** stars

Similarly 'Child of the City' and 'Rock and Roll Woman' both showcased Brooks' longstanding love of echoplex, sophomoric lyrics and headache inducing leads.  Mind you Brooks could certainly play guitar, but he didn't have much of a style other than loud, fast, and largely tuneless. 

(side 2)
1.) What Kind of Man   (Terry Brooks) - 2:47   rating: ** stars

Starting off side two  'What Kind of Man' was clearly intended to showcase Brooks' as a deep and insightful artist ...     rating: ** stars

2.) My Lady and Me   (Terry Brooks) - 3:50

Okay,  'My Lady and Me' sported cheesy synthesizers, hysterically funny female backing vocals, and had-to-hear-to-believe lyrics ('my lady and me are from another galaxy; we're here to teach love you see'). 

3.) Love of the Ages   (Terry Brooks) - 4:42   rating: ** stars

Complete with spoken word segment and an attempt at a falsetto (disturbing to say the least - our cat was not thrilled), 'Love of the Ages' underscored the fact Brooks wasn't born to sing ballads.  

4.) High Flyer   (Terry Brooks) - 3:50  rating: *** stars

The title track melded spacey lyrics, a surprisingly funky rhythm and a touch of Brooks' guitar prowess.  There are folks that swear by Brooks, but this is one that simply leaves me wondering ...

There were apparently a couple of versions of the LP.  This version is pressed on clear blue vinyl.  I believe there are also green, red, white, and purple pressing.