Redwing

One can’t help but to feel sorry for these guys. Redwing, a four-man country-rock band from Sacramento, California, released five records before before turning in its ticket to stardom for a seat at the back of the lonely bus of obscurity. The band evolved from a group called Glad (lame name, I know, but Timothy B. Schmit of Poco and the Eagles was a member) and released its self-titled debut album for Fantasy Records in 1971. The end result is paint-by-the-numbers country-influenced melodic rock. “I'm Your Lover Man,” “Shorty Go Home” and “Hogtied” highlight the outfit’s finer points—strong harmonies, skillful musicianship—and “The Underground Railway” and “Please Doctor Please” help fill the requisite hard rock quotient, but there is nothing on this 12-song lp that distinguishes it from the plethora of like-minded west coast-based projects that sprang to life in the early part of the decade. What ultimately separated Redwing and its many second-tier counterparts from cracking the big time was the lack of a hit single. That elusive radio-friendly track left many ‘70s bands forever relegated to small clubs and big bars. Redwing, despite its lengthy run, was no exception.