Search - Head East :: The Best of Head East: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection

Good Midwestern party band

Mark R. Van Wagenen | Elgin, Illinois USA | 11/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Head East never really made it as far as big-time musicians go unless you grew up in the Midwest in the '70s. And that's a shame, because some of their best albuns like "Gettin' Lucky" are not yet available on CD. This band and REO Speedwagon were big favorites at the University of Illinois;... Anyway, this band has a little bit of Styx, Yes and Boston in them, all mixed together with a hard-rock edge while staying clean and crisp. Keyboardist Roger Boyd was a big part of the richness of their music, along with an above-average ability to harmonize their vocals. Until all their albums are available on CD, you'll do well with this compliation. "Never Been Any Reason", of course (the only track you ever hear on the radio) leads it off, although 'Jefftown Creek", which led off Side 2 of their debut album, is better, a tale of that first encounter. Maybe my favorite track on this album is "Monkey Shine", which was taken off their second album "Get Yourself Up", a short, hard-charging number with a great keyboard solo. "Gettin' Lucky", the title track from their third album, is another party classic ("well you know, another night another number gettin' lucky"). "Since You Been Gone", another minor radio hit, is also here as well as "Keep A Secret", a disco-y track taken off the not-so-great "A Different Kind of Crazy" album (that one IS available on CD, go figure. "Take A Hand" is taken off their live album, which is also available and recommended. Hopefully, someday great tracks on their albums not on CD like "Call to Arms and Legs", "The Victim", "Back in My Own Hands" and "Love My Blues Away" will become available, but until then, this collection is highly recommended!"

Southern rock?

T. LeBaron | NH | 08/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This collection includes all the classics by this really cool Midwestern band that had all the ingredients to go a lot further than they did but for some inexplicable reason, fell through the cracks after about four or five releases. My only question is for the reviewer who thought they sounded like a southern rock band...that same person also said no other southern rock band (not that these guys even WERE southern at all) used keyboards (pardon me, but what is that instrument heard all through Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird if it's not a keyboard?) Minor quibbles I know...this was some of the coolest MIDWESTERN rock and roll to come along about the same time Styx broke wide open and REO Speedwagon wasn't far behind. My other comment about this collection would be that I'd pick it up not so much for the inclusion of "Never Been Any Reason" (that's why I got Flat as a Pancake) but for their excellent version of Russ Ballard's classic "Since You've been Gone" (worth the price of admission all by itself). Barring the eventual release of "Get yourself Up" and their self titled album with the road sign cover, if this is the only way to get at least SOME of their great stuff, by all means pay your money and put the headphones on. This is GREAT '70s classic rock, bar none."

An Excellent Anthology Of An Underrated Band

T. LeBaron | 10/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Head East were like a more progressive version of the Outlaws, combining a rural influence with prog-rock keyboards. This collection contains most- but not all- of their best material. It would have been nice to have more of their live material here, and the disco number "Keep A Secret", should have been left off altogether, as it is not representative of the group's true sound. These minor quibbles aside, THE MILLENNIUM COLLECTION is an excellent anthology of an underrated band."