Artist: Dennis Yost and the Classics IVAlbum: Dennis Yost and the Classics IV
Company: MGM South
Catalog: MSH 902
Released: 1973
Genre: pop
Grade: *** 3 stars
Condition: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Comments: minor ring wear
Quantity available: 1
Price: $10,00
After five years and four album for Imperial,
Dennis Yost and the Classic IV's partnership with the label came to an end in
1972. Signed by MGM's newly established MGM South affiliate, in spite of
the nameplate, "Dennis Yost and the Classics IV” was a Dennis Yost solo
set. Recorded in Atlanta's Studio One, with backing from former Classics
IV members J.R. Cobb and Dean Daughtry and the rest of The Atlanta Rhythm
Section, the album found Yost pursuing an adult contemporary pop format.
While that may not have sounded particularly promising, the results were far
more impressive than his previous couple of releases. Interestingly, part
of the credit may have been a result of the fact ARS's trademarked sound
clearly came through on several of the songs, including a pair written by ARS
members - the moody 'All
In Your Mind' and the pretty closing title track ballad. Those also
happened to be the two standout songs. Heavy on ballads and mid- tempo
numbers, taken individually most of these songs weren't half bad.
Unfortunately when strung together they kind of blurred into one another.
Also interesting was the fact Yost's voice seemed to have undergone a major
change over the previous year. While still pleasant, his performances were
much deeper and rougher than on earlier records. Personally I liked his
darker, rougher sound. Pleasant and professional, but ultimately nothing
special, though it made you wonder what would have happened had Yost continued
working with ARS ...
"Dennis Yost and the Classics IV" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Make Me Believe (Buddy Buie - Ronnie
Hammond - Robert Nix) - 2:29
To be honest, there were simply too many ballads on this album,
but 'Make Me Believe' was one of the better ones. Always liked the cheesy
'70s synthesizer solo. The track was released as the album's third
single:
2.) Save the Sunlight (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb - Lee) -
2:50
With a breezy, slightly bossa nova-tinged melody, 'Save the
Sunlight' was a decent slice of adult contemporary pop. Perfect tune to
listen to while you were sitting on the deck watching the summer sun
set. rating: **** stars
3.) Sweet Surrender (David Gates) - 2:42
Yost and company did little to tamper with David Gates' original
melody or the song structure. Since most folks are intimately family with
the Bread original, you were left wondering why they bother with this
version. rating: ** stars
4.) All In Your Mind (Buddy Buie - Robert Nix) -
3:02
With backing from The Atlanta Rhythm Section, 'All In Your Mind'
was the album's highlight and the tune that came the closest to capturing that
special Classics IV magic. Sporting a dark, slightly ominous vibe, the
tune gave Yost an opportunity to cut lose and show he hadn't lost any of this
vocal abilities. Come to think about it, the song wouldn't have sounded
bad on an ARS album. rating:**** stars
5.) Rosanna (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb) - 2:30
Pretty acoustic ballad
... 'Rosanna' was clearly written with an ear to top-40, but
ultimately it was just kind of ... well, bland came to mind.
Released as a single it managed to hit the Billboard top-100 singles charts,
providing the "band" with their final chart entry:
(side 2)
1.) Help Me Help Myself (Robert Nix - Paul Goddard - Dean Daughrty) - 2:20
1.) Help Me Help Myself (Robert Nix - Paul Goddard - Dean Daughrty) - 2:20
Another ARS contribution, 'Help Me Help Myself' underscored the
band's ability to craft material that was adult contemporary oriented, but at
the same time, managed to avoid the genre's most cloying tendencies. It
was another track where Yost demonstrated he could wail. rating:
*** stars
2.) The Days of Our Lives (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb -
Barry Bailey - Robert Nix) - 3:00
From the opening chords, the dark 'The Days of Our Lives' sounded
like an ARS tune. Stylistically this mid-tempo rocker was a perfect
setting for Yost. Shame it wasn't a direction he pursued. Would
have been far better than the faceless pop he churned out later in his
career. rating: **** stars
3.) It Never Rains In Southern California (Albert
Hammond - Lee Hazlewood) - 3:40
I never liked the Albert Hammond original and for a long
time this cover didn't do much for me. That said, I have to admit that
over time this one's grown on me. I've tried to figure out what makes
this version better and I've reached the conclusion it was Yost's vocals.
Musically this version wasn't much different than the original, but unlike
Hammond's almost pleading delivery, Yost seems matter of fact in his
position. rating: *** stars
4.) One Man Show (Sam Traina) - 3:20
Country-tinged ballad that was saved by one of J.R. Cobb's most
melodic solos. rating: ** stars
5.) What Am I Crying For? (Buddy Buie - J.R. Cobb) -
3:00
Pretty, late-inning ballad with that unique Classics IV sound
(check out the harmony vocals), and featuring J.R. Cobb on acoustic
guitar. The tune was released as the album's leadoff single:
- 1972's 'What Am I Crying For?' b/w 'All In Your Mind' (MGM South
catalog number S 7002)
rating: **** stars
One last non-LP single for MGM South 'My First Day without Her'
b/w 'Lovin' Each Other' (MGM catalog number K-14785) and the group called it
quits.
Following the band's official breakup Yost embarked on a
disappointing solo career. Unfortunately, under questionable circumstances
The Classics IV trademark was sold by the group's manager to a New York-
based group who turned the imprint into a doowop format. Yost was not
allowed to use The Classics IV name, or even mention the name, making it
difficult to get work. By the time Yost recovered rights to the name his
health had begun to deteriorate and the nameplate had lost much of its
commercial value
Unfortunately, in July 2006 Yost fell in his Cincinnati, Ohio
home, suffering a severe head injury that left him unable to perform and in
need of extensive rehabilitation. He never recovered from those injuries
and died in December 2008. He was only 65 years old.
For anyone interested, there's
a nice Yost/Classics IV website at: www.theclassicsiv.com
"
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