Wizzard - Introducing Eddy and the Falcons, Warner Bros. K 56029

Introducing Eddy and the Falcons is the second album by Wizzard. It peaked at No. 19 in the UK album chart – a much better placing than its predecessor, Wizzard Brew.

As with the previous Wizzard album, all songs were composed by Roy Wood. The album had a concept similar to The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, in that the intro 'featured' the appearance on stage of fictional band Eddy & The Falcons. All tracks were written and recorded as tributes to 1950s and early 1960s rock’n’roll greats, "Eddy’s Rock" being a guitar and saxophone instrumental played in the style of Duane Eddy, while "Everyday I Wonder" was similar in sound and approach to Del Shannon’s "Runaway", and "Come Back Karen" did the same for Neil Sedaka’s "Oh! Carol". A particularly clear tribute was to Elvis in "I Dun Lotsa Cryin’ Over You".

 

Front cover                                                                            Back cover

 Gatefold opening

One single was released from the album, "This Is The Story Of My Love (Baby)". Its chart performance (No. 34) was a disappointment, as all Wizzard's previous singles had reached the Top 10. Music journalists thought that the more catchy, up-tempo "You Got Me Runnin’" would have made a better single.

The album was initially meant to be half of a double album by the group, with the other half in a more progressive or experimental jazz-rock style. However the record company heard the work in progress, and asked for the rock’n’roll part to be recorded and released as a single album.

The sleeve featured a credit 'Custard pies - D.L.T.' This referred to one of their appearances on "Top Of The Pops", when presenter Dave Lee Travis had been the apparently unwitting recipient of a custard pie wielded by one of the group.

The jazz-rock material was recorded later but not released until 2000, on the album Main Street – some 25 years after Wizzard had disbanded.

The original release of "Eddy" on the Warner Brother label, in a gatefold sleeve, includes a fold-out poster of Roy Wood on stage.

Side A (my copy has Side A Label on both sides - not sure if it's a common misprint or something rare)

Warner Bros. K 56029 - INTRODUCING EDDY AND THE FALCONS (LP, with poster).... 25GBP

Released	1974
Recorded	1973-1974
Genre	Glam rock, rock and roll
Length	42:21
Label	Warner Bros., United Artists
Producer	Roy Wood

The included poster

Track Listing

All songs written by Roy Wood.

1. "Intro" – 0:45
2. "Eddy’s Rock" – 3:56
3. "Brand New 88" – 3:22
4. "You Got Me Runnin' " – 3:15
5. "I Dun Lotsa Cryin’ Over You" – 3:22
6. "This Is The Story Of My Love (Baby)" – 4:45
7. "Everyday I Wonder" – 4:56
8. "Crazy Jeans" – 2:47
9. "Come Back Karen" – 3:05
10. "We’re Gonna Rock’n’Roll Tonight" – 5:06