- Dennis Yost (RIP 2008) -- vocals

  supporting musicians: (1981)

- Tommy Cogbill -- bass

- Bruce Dees - guitar

- Ray Edenton Jr. -- guitar

- Gunnar Gelottte - drums

- Jon Goin -- guitar

- Walker Iglehart -- keyboards

- Shane Keister -- keyboards

- Richard Law -- backing vocals

- Mike Leech -- bass

- Mark Morris -- drums

- Bobby Ogdin -- keyboards

- Jay Patton -- horns

- Barbara South -- backing vocals

- Jack Williams -- bass

- Bobby Woods - keyboards

- Paul Worley -- guitar

- The Classics

- The Classics IV

Genre: pop

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Going Through the Motions

Company: Robox

Catalog: EQAD 7945

Year: 1981

Country/State: Jacksonville, Florida

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments:  small cut out notch along top edge

Available: 2

Catalog ID: 5170

Price: $15.00

After the 1973 collapse of Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, namesake Yost disappeared from the music scene for a couple of years.  His comeback came with 1981's aptly-titled "Going Through the Motions".  Released by the small Atlanta-based Robot label, the album teamed Yost with producers Steve Clark and Bud Reneau.  Unfortunately, anyone expecting to hear a collection of Classics IV styled pop was probably disappointed by this maudlin set of country-tinged pop.  As on the final Classics IV releases, Yost's voice had deepened, in the process losing some of it's original appeal.  That said, he was still a decent singer and when he used his grittier delivery, the results were quite impressive ('Something I Forgot To Do'),  Unfortunately, saddled with bland tracks like 'Going Through the Motions', 'Raggedy Ann' and 'The Days of Sand and Shovels' this was essentially a waste of vinyl. Slapping one of the year's uglier covers on the album certainly didn't help sales, nor did Yost's decision to get a perm (check the back cover photo).  Was there anything positive to be said for this one?  Well as much as I wish I could say something nice, about the only things I can come up with were Yost's voice remained a treasure and the album was relatively short ...  Perhaps understandable given the caliber of the songs, the collection didn't include any writing credits. 

"Going Through the Motions" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Something I Forgot To Do - 3:40

I always liked Yost when he used his rougher, grittier vocals and though 'Something I Forgot To Do' was kind of a plodding pop tune, Yost seldom sounded as good as on this one.   rating: *** stars

2.) The Staying Side of Goodbye  (Don Kirby Cook - Rafe Van Hoy) - 3:02

Buried in the heavy and ill-considered arrangement was a decent country-pop tune.  Unfortunately, not even a nice Yost vocal could save the tune from oblivion.   rating: ** stars

3.) It All Depends On You - 2:35

4.) Raggedy Ann - 3:17

Country-tinged story-song that folks love, or find totally cloying.   I'd lean towards the latter category.   rating: ** stars

5.) The Days of Sand and Shovels - 4:24

(side 2)
1.) Lover In My Mind   (Barbara South - Richard Law)  - 2:48

Opening up with some nice jazz-tinge lead guitar 'Lover In My Mind' had a distinctive adult contemporary vibe, but proved surprisingly well suited for Yost's instantly identifiable voice.  The track was tapped as a single:

- 1980's 'Lover In My Mind' b/w 'Flowers For The Lady' (Robox catalog number RBX 1802)   rating: *** stars

2.) One More Last Chance - 3:32

3.) Flowers for the Lady   (Bud Reneau - Dan Goodman - Mark Sherriff) - 3:18

Pretty country-tinged tune that reminds me of a mediocre Kenny Rodgers tune.   I'll let you decide o n your own.  rating: ** stars

4.) Going Through the Motions   (Bud Reneau - Hal Bynum) - 3:25

Commercial, but rather bland ballad that wouldn't have sounded bad as a television theme song.  Shame to hear such a great voice wasted.  The tune as tapped as a single and just missed the top-100 charts:

- 1981's 'Going Through the Motions' b/w 'Wonder Woman' (Robox catalog number EQ 7945)     rating: ** stars

5.) Wonder Woman   (Larry Latimer) - 2:28

Decent upbeat pop tune with some nice double tracked lead guitar that was supposedly inspired by Yost's "crush" on Linda Carter in her Wonder Woman role.   rating: *** stars

Over the next two and a half decades Yost remained active in music.  Unfortunate he suffered traumatic brain injuries after a 2005 fall.  He never recovered from those injuries and died in December 2008.  He was only 65 years old.