Heavy Cruiser – Lucky Dog(1973 USA Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock)Full Album

Heavy Cruiser was an American hard-rock/psych band that released the 1972/73 albums Heavy Cruiser and Lucky Dog on Artie Ripp’s Family Productions label. Canadian bassist Neil Merryweather formed the band in Los Angeles with keyboardist James Newton Howard, later a noted film composer. Heavy Cruiser also recorded as Mama Lion behind Merryweather’s then-partner, singer Lynn Carey. Members: Neil Merryweather (lead vocals, bass, acoustic guitar), Alan Hertz (guitar), Rick Gaxiola (guitar), James Newton Howard (organ, piano), Coffi Hall (drums, percussion) Background In 1969, Merryweather arrived in Los Angeles with his namesake psych-rock band, which cut two albums that year on Capitol. He assembled different players for the 1970 blues-rock album Neil Merryweather, John Richardson and Boers and retained them for a subsequent release on RCA as Ivar Avenue Reunion, fronted by his then-girlfriend, Angeleno actress and singer Lynn Carey. In 1971, they released Vacuum Cleaner as Merryweather & Carey, backed by drummer Coffi Hall. Merryweather, Carey, and Hall formed Mama Lion with two newcomers: guitarist Rick Gaxiola and keyboardist James Newton Howard. They signed with Family Productions, the newly established label of Artie Ripp. Their first album, Preserve Wildlife, appeared in 1972. Mama Lion functioned as a vehicle for the belting voice and stage presence of Carey. As an outlet for material beyond the confines of soul-rock, the musicians in the band recorded simultaneously as Heavy Cruiser. Tracks: All songs written by Neil Merryweather except where noted. 01. Everytime I Hear Your Music - 00:00 02. Mirrors In Your Eyes - 02:51 03. Where You Gonna Run To (Neil Merryweather, Lynn Carey) - 06:46 04. Gotta Get Away - 09:53 05. Open Your Eyes - 14:14 06. You Really Got Me (Ray Davies) - 17:51 07. Freefall Glider - 20:42 08. Concrete Jungle (Neil Merryweather, James Newton Howard, Lynn Carey) - 26:06 09. Supergirl (Neil Merryweather, Alan Hertz) - 29:48 10. I'll Receive You - 33:36 Personnel: - Neil Merryweather - vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, producer - Alan Hertz - guitar - James Newton Howard - organ, piano - Coffi Hall - drums, percussion