Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: In the Eye
Company: OR
Catalog: OR-014
Year: 1996
reissue (1973 original)
Country/State: Bloomington, Indiana
Grade (cover/record): NM / NM
Comments: # 169 of 275 press; includes insert
Available: SOLD
Catalog ID: SOLD 6105
Price: SOLD $50.00
I don't know record collector/rock historian Stan Denski very well (we've exchanged an occasional email over the years), but while he was actively involved in digging up and reissuing lost albums on his Indianapolis OR and Aether labels, he exhibited some impressive taste - check out his reissues of "Anonymous", "J. Rider", "McKay", or "Rayne".
While it doesn't do nearly as much for me as Anonymous, or J. Rider, Bloomington, Indiana's Screaming Gypsy Band is still a pretty interesting artifact. The band was apparently the brainchild of college dropout and former Elektra songwriter Mark Bingham. Returning from a couple of disillusioning years in California, Bingham formed The Screaming Gypsy Band with a loose group of friends and Indiana University students including bassist John Clayton, lead guitarist Brendan Harkin, drummer Rick Lazar, and singer Caroline Peyton. Local club dates got them signed to the small Bar-B-Q label which Bingham claims was nothing more than a drug front for the 'owners'. Produced by Mark Hood, 1973's "In Your Eye" showcased a series of nine Bingham originals. Penned during the 1972-73 timeframe and apparently recorded over a week in Jack Gilfoy Studios, one of the album's most interesting characteristics is simply how un-1970s it sounded. Not knowing any of the band's history, the first time I heard the album I was convinced it was a 2000-era release. It just had that 'college' band vibe that sounded incredibly modern to my ears.
- With a rollicking keyboard-propelled melody and some tasty soul-drenched vocals, 'Prematurely (Fly Me Away)' was about as close to a rocker as Bingham and company came. Imagine Delaney and Bonnie had they hailed from Indiana ... Harkin turned in a blazing solo at the end of the song. rating: *** stars
- Opening up with a beautiful sax solo (and I'm not a big sax fan), 'Juniorr' had a totally unexpected adult contemporary vibe to it ... The feel was underscored by the combination of Bingham's raw vocal and Caroline Peyton's sophisticated, slightly jazz-tinged delivery. Not sure why, perhaps the stark and memorable melody, but this song has always struck a chord with me. rating: **** stars
- While it was certainly a pretty acoustic ballad, 'All This Waiting' was simply too folky for my tastes. Hard to imagine a crowd of drunk IU students sitting through this one ... rating: ** stars
- Peyton's 'flighty' vocal on 'Path of Light' has always reminded me of a Joni Mitchell song. Pretty tune and if you like Joni Mitchell that's probably a good thing. If you're not a big fan ... rating: ** stars
- Starting side two, the title track found Bingham and company (with an able assist from Bruce Anderson of future MX-80 fame) taking a stab at blues-rock. Simply because it rocked a bit harder than most of the album, this one was deserved of an extra star. rating: *** stars
- Complete with Indian percussion, 'White Teeth' sounded like a mid-1960s raga piece. I'm partial to the sound so thought this one was pretty good, with the combination of Bingham's gruff voice and Payton's floating, airy voice giving the track and added appeal. rating: *** stars
- With Peyton handling lead vocals, 'Pedigree' had a distinctive Gospel/soul feel that reminded me a bit of mid-1970s Maria Muldaur. I thought the track was pretty good, but again I could see IU students scratching their heads in puzzlement. rating: *** stars
- To my ears 'Mules' had a distinctive early-1970s West Coast vibe. Not the album's most impressive track, but still entertaining with a nice dark and slightly ominous feel. rating: *** stars
- 'Foggy Windows' was another country-tinged ballad. with some weird, overly sensitive singer/songwriter lyrics (including some in Italian) and way too much mandolin for my tastes. I've always wondered if it was meant as a joke. rating: ** stars
In addition to an insert with performance credits, the Or reissue included a brief band overview from Bingham - clearly a man who did not enjoy his experience as a professional musician.
"In
Your Eye" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Prematurely (Fly Me Away) (Mark Bingham) -
2.) Junior (Mark Bingham) -
3.) All This Waiting (Mark Bingham) -
4.) Path of Flight (Mark Bingham) -
(side
2)
1.) In the Eye (Mark Bingham) -
2.) White Teeth (Mark Bingham) -
3.) Pedigree (Mark Bingham) -
4.) Mules (Mark Bingham) -
5.) Foggy Windows (Mark Bingham) -
After the band called it quits Bingham remained engaged in the music business, playing in a number of bands including Brain Sisters and Social Climbers. In the mid-1990s he was working as an engineer at a New Orleans studio.
As mentioned, Bruce Anderson and Dale Sophiea enjoyed some success as members of MX-80.
Peyton released a couple of solo albums and found major success doing voiceovers in movies.