line up 1 (1970)

- Allen Beutler -- sax, flute

- Dee Barton (RIP 2001) - vocals, keyboards

- Mike Deasy -- lead guitar, vocals 

- Kathy Deasy -- vocals, percussion 

- Kenny Loggins -- vocals, guitar

- Ray Neapolitan -- bass 

- Mike O'Martin (aka Michael Omartian) -- keyboards

- Gene Pello -- drums, percussion

- The Ceyleib People (Mike Deasy)

- Jerry Cole and the Stingers (Mike Deasy)

- Mike Deasy (solo efforts)

- Kathy Deasy (solo efforts)

- Flower Pot (Mike Deasy)

- Kenny Logins (solo efforts

- Loggins and Messina (Kenny Loggins)

- The Marketts (Gene Ppello)

- Ohio Knox (Ray Neapolitan)

- Michael Omartian (solo efforts)

- Second Helping (Kenny Loggins)

- Your Gang (Mike Deasy)

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Gator Creek

Company: Mercury

Catalog: SR-61311
Year: 1970

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: small punch out hole lower right corner; textured cover

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5544

Price: $20.00

Given the eight members of this short-lived studio entity had more than their share of chops, I guess the best way to describe Gator Creek would be as an early attempt to put together a super group.  The funny thing is that today the band is virtually unknown - try finding a single write up on their album, let alone any kind of biographical material on the band ...  even the members' own sites (e.g. Mike Deasy's website) only pay passing mention of the group.

The Gator Creek lineup was made up of a series of L.A.-based studio musicians - sax play Allen Beutler, keyboardist Dee Barton, guitarist Mike Deasy, singer Kathy Deasy, singer/guitarist Kenny Loggins, bassist Ray Neapolitan, keyboardist Mike O'Martin (aka Michael Omartian), and drummer Gene Pello.  Collectively they had played in numerous bands (see above for a partial listing) and as hired guns, played on literally hundreds of session and albums.  

Those credentials make it easy to see why Mercury would have been interested in financing an album.  Co-produced by Barton and Bob Todd, 1970's cleverly titled "Gator Creek" served as a showcase for the various members' talents which gave the LP a versatile, if somewhat disjointed feel.  Interestingly given he was responsible for penning almost half of the material, keyboardist Barton was probably the least impressive member of the group.  As a lead singer he didn't have much of a voice and tracks like the swamp rocker 'Betty Jean's Mama' and the country-flavored 'Home' weren't particularly memorable.  As a husband and wife team the Deasys acquitted themselves better; Mike's stellar guitar on display throughout (nice feedback drenched opening to 'Dirty Boogie'), while their cover of Jackson's 'These Days' displayed some surprisingly impressive harmony vocals (and would have made a nice single).  Kathy's performance on 'Mud Island' may have been the most radio-ready song on the set.  Represented by two of his own compositions, Loggins was probably the most mainstream and commercial presence.  He certainly had the best voice and 'Danny's Song' became a staple in his Loggins and Messina and solo careers.  As mentioned, the ten tracks bounced all over the musical spectrum, with quite a bit of boogie woogie found throughout the grooves ('Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On the King of Rock and Roll', 'Dirty Boogie' and 'Holy Moly Rolly Polly').  Hardly the year's most impressive release, but not without some charm.  

Mercury didn't bother releasing a single.  The band never toured.  Big surprise the album quickly tanked and collectively they never released anything else, though almost all of the members went on to enjoy greater recognition.

"Gator Creek" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On the King of Rock and Roll   (J. Thomas) - 2:33

2.) Danny's Song   (Kenny Loggins) - 3:25

3.) These Days   (Jackson Browne) - 2:28

4.) Dirty Boogie (instrumental)   (Dee Barton) - 3:23

5.) Betty Jean's Mama   (Dee Barton) - 4:38

(side 2)
1.) Holy Moly Rolly Polly   (Buzz Clifford) - 2:48

2.) Long-Tail Cat (Dixie Holiday)   (Kenny Loggins) - 3:50

3.) Mud Island   (D. Weiss - M. Unobsky) - 2:59

4.) Take a Look   (Dee Barton) - 3:40

5.) Home   (Dee Barton) - 6:00

For anyone interested, though there's no real mention of Gator Creek, Mike and Kathy Deasy have a nice website at: http://www.mikedeasy.com/