line up 1 (1968-77)

- Denny Davidson -- vocals, lead guitar

- Randy Davidson -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, trumpet

- Michael Medeck -- vocals, drums, percussion

- James Webster -- vocals, bass

- none known

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Hungry Tiger

Company: Magna Glide

Catalog: MGS 323112
Year: 1977

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 2118

Price: $80.00

Besides the cool, un-credited cover art, the main reason I grabbed this album was the fact it was released on bubblegum kings Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz's Magna Glide label.  Magna Glide hasn't attracted a great deal of attention, but is interesting in the world of tax scam releases.   The attached line provides a little bit of information on the label:  http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/AA_REVIEW_MAGNAglide.htm

Assuming they were a real band, based on the abbreviated liner notes on the album, Hungry Tiger featured the talents of brothers Denny (lead guitar and vocals) and Randy (vocals, guitar, keyboards) Davidson, drummer Michael Medeck, and bassist James Webster.  Given many Magna Glide acts were from Ohio, that's where I'd guess these guys were based. 

The group's link to Kasenetz and Katz goes back to 1968 when they produced a killer one-shot blue-eyed soul single for the White Whale label for the band

- 1968's 'Fee-Fi-Foo-Fum' b/w 'Tic Tac Toe' (White Whale catalog number WWS 313)

Co-produced by Kasenetz, Katz, and Randy Davidson, musically 1977's "Hungry Tiger" offered up a pretty decent set of MOR pop with a heavy emphasis on ballads like 'Ten Miles Long', 'Forget About Tomorrow', and 'Small Craft Warning.'.   Randy was responsible for most of the material and most of the vocals. The other three members each handled one tune.  Randy was an okay lead singer, though his delivery was occasionally on the nasally and fragile side ('Can't Stop Breathing'),   Unfortuntnately the heavy emphasis on ballads gave the album a one sided flavor and on those rare occasions they took a stab at an up-tempo rocker, the results  were sabotaged by flat vocals - check out Webster's performance on 'Time To Love'.  They clearly were a talented outfit, but the absence of a strong lead singer was something they simply couldn't overcome.   

Let me add the back cover liner notes don't show the proper running order.  The information below has the songs in the proper sequence.

"Hungry Tiger" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Ten Miles Long   (Randy Davidson) - 3:24

'Ten Miles Long' was one of those "could've-been" tunes.  Built on a pretty classically influenced keyboard-and-guitar structure, the ballad had a very pretty melody.  The big problem was while Randy Davidson had a nice voice, on this one he sang with the energy of a stuffed toy.  The results were enough to make you drowsy.  To my ears the track sounded a bit like a mash-up between the Dutch band Focus and Eric Carmen.  The song also served as the 'B' side to the 'Can't Stop Breathing' 45.   rating: *** stars

2.) Lucy Arbor School   (Randy Davidson - David Davidson) - 12:00

I'm clueless what this three segment suite was about.  The song started out sounding like a nice Emmit Rhodes tune with a pleasant and highly commercial melody.   rating: *** stars

   i.) Small Craft Warning

Just as you were getting into the song, it abruptly stole the bass line from John Fred and his Playboy Band's 'Judy In Disguise' and wandered off in a more upbeat, pop-oriented direction.  I'm guessing the nautical theme was meant as an analogy for love?   rating: **** stars

   ii.) Lake of Bays

Backed by some soothing harmony vocals, 'Lake of Bays' was even more commercial - perhaps the album's most radio-friendly performance, this one sounded like an Eric Carmen and the Raspberries trying out their best Paul McCartney impressions.   rating: **** stars. 

   iii.) South Bass Island

'The keyboard-dominated 'South Bass Island' sounded like it was built on a waltz structure.   Kind of corny, but I have to admit liking this one.  Shame it ended so suddenly.    rating: **** stars

3.) Tie To Live   (Randy Davidson) - 3:17

The band's first stab at rock and roll and it was undone by a weak lead vocal from drummer Webster.  The poor guy sounded flat, out of tune and very uncomfortable in the limelight.   Even David Davidson's lead guitar solos sounded uninspired.  rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) Can't Stop Breathing   (Randy Davidson) - 4:42

Kicked along by David Davidson's melodic lead guitar and Richard Davidson's  keyboards, 'Can't Stop Breathing' was one of the album's prettiest ballad.  The downside was the song simply never built up much energy.   Even for a ballad this one sounded sleepy.  Imagine Styx overdosing on sleep meds.  Magna Glide seeming had hopes for the song's commercial viability, tapping it as an instantly obscure single: 

- 1977's 'Can't Stop Breathing' b/w 'Ten Miles Long' (Magna Glide catalog number MGR 331)

2.) Forget About Tomorrow   (David Davidson) - 3:24

'Forget About Tomorrow' was a pretty folk-rock ballad and served as Denny's shot at the vocal spotlight.  In spite of his flat vocal, to my ears it was the album's prettiest song with a nice, if understated lead guitar.  rating: **** stars 

3.) The Slave   (Randy Davidson) - 3:26

Hum, the band getting all dark and heavy though the lyrics have always remained mysterious to me.  rating: *** stars

4.) Think It's O.K.   (Randy Davidson) - 2:37

Again, were it not for a nasally and flat vocal 'Think It's O.K.' would have been a killer tune.  Kudos to James Webster for the nifty bass line.   rating: *** stars

5.) Feeling Down   (Randy Davidson) - 3:16

Another atypical up-tempo tune and Medeck's turn to show why drummers don't often handle lead vocals.  Good song, but he may have had the flattest voice out of the whole group.   rating: *** stars

6.) All the Pleasant Things   (Randy Davidson) - 2:00

Sadly the album ended with another Eric Carmen-styled big ballad.  Big, bloated, and instantly forgettable.  rating: ** stars