Eddie Reeves was writing songs, arranging and producing for United Artists in the mid-late ’60s. He wrote and produced the fantastic “A Million Things” for the Restless Feelins, layering distorted guitar throughout the track, even over the vocals and chorus.
The flip is a Byrds-like song by Bruce Murdoch, “Hey Mama You’ve Been on My Mind”. I knew nothing about the band behind this 45 until Eddie Reeves set the record straight with his comment (see below). I repeat it here in its entirety:
The Restless Feelin’s was me along with Ron Dante singing harmony. The “A” side of the record was actually “Hey Mama You Been On My Mind” but not the Dylan song. It was written by a fellow named Bruce Murdoch and it’s a clever song with Dylan-type lyrics. I did the recording as a demo for United Artists Music Company in New York while employed by them as a demo producer, song writer and song plugger from 1965 thru 1967 in New York and then from 1968 thru 1971 in Los Angeles.
The musicians are Hugh McCracken -guitar; Frank Owens -keyboards; Bobby Gregg -drums; and Joe Macho -bass. United Artists Records decided to release it as a single and asked me to record a “B” side and “A Million Things” was the result with the same musicians but without Ron Dante doing harmony which was done by me.”
A short time after this record by the Restless Feelins, Eddie Reeves produced another UA 45 by the Hysterical Society, a band from his hometown, Amarillo, Texas.
60sgaragebands.com has an interview with Eddie covering the early part of his career.
Billboard, August 13, 1966
i’m always a sucker for a distorted fuzzed up lead guitar, this is cool, and from looking on the great ugly things website it’s pretty hard to get hold of as well, a true hidden diamond of a tune
Is the B-side the Dylan song I posted in the subject line?
If so, is there any chance I can get an mp3 copy of it (you can email it if you don’t want to post it)? It’s one of my all-time favorite songs, and I have several versions already, but have never heard of this.
Thanks,
Joe
Hello Eddie,
Thanks for the story behind the Restless Feelin’s. Could you comment on your involvement with the Hysterical Society?
Hi Eddie. I just read your message and I would like to ask you some questions about your music career. I am not writing an article. I just enjoy researching music.
I have been doing a lot of research on two musicians you mentioned in your message, drummer Bobby Gregg and bassist Joe Macho. Bobby and Joe played together on a lot of sessions back then.
If you are interested in speaking to me, my e-mail is btoscano85@hotmail.com
I hope to hear from you. Take care Eddie.
Brian
The Restless Feelin’s was me along with Ron Dante singing harmony. The “A” side of the record was actually “Hey Mama You Been On My Mind” but not the Dylan song. It was written by a fellow named Bruce Murdoch and it’s a clever song with Dylan-type lyrics. I did the recording as a demo for United Artists Music Company in New York while employeed by them as a demo producer, song writer and song plugger from 1965 thru 1967 in New York and then from 1968 thru 1971 in Los Angeles. The musicians are Hugh McCrackin -guitar; Frank Owens -keyboards; Bobby Gregg -drums; and Joe Macho -bass. United Artists Records decided to release it as a single and asked me to record a “B” side and “A Million Things” was the result with the same musicians but without Ron Dante doing harmony which was done by me.
Eddie Reeves
Feb. 2, 2008
Thank you for your very kind comment about that song. We met more than a few times and I’ve never forgot you from the UA days. I hope you’re well.
Bruce
Hello Eddie.
You probably don’t remember me I was the bass player and other song writer for The Hysterical Society when we recorded the sessions in NYC. Fond memories! Woody Keys told me of the site and your health problems, please know that I’m thinking of you and have many times over the years.
Sincerely
Ken
Hello to Eddie – I was just telling one of my co-workers about you yesterday. He found a Leo Kottke version of “Rings” on YouTube, and I gave him some of your history. I also listened to your “anthology” CD last night.
I’m going to Oklahoma to see Mark Hinton (of the Hysterical Societey) this weekend. We have kept in touch all this time, since the sixties.
From what I remember, the Hysterical Society traveled from Amarillo, TX to New York City to record what I recall was six sides with Eddie producing. Only the one record got released. Mark said that they got to meet Bob Dylan at a nightclub one night. He wasn’t very nice to the upstart band from Texas.
The later tracks “Summertime” and “I Put a Spell on You” were recorded at Norman Petty’s in Clovis, NM in 1968, with Norman producing. The Society was a very popular band in the TX Panhandle region between 1966-1969. Eddie’s involvement as producer with Mark Hinton continued on through 1971, when he produced demos with Mark and a band named Piper, of which I was the other guitarist. Eddie is a competent and positive-energy producer, never saying “That wasn’t good.” He always said “That was good, and you can do a better one.” He also managed bands; I know that he helped get Sanford/Townshend Band their record deal in the mid-70’s. Eddie is a great guy, with a million stories to tell.
Bruce,
Hello!! How are you? Write to me at eddiereeves@comcast.net and let me know how life is for you. All the very best, Eddie
Hey Woody. How are you? Write me at eddiereeves@comcast.net and we can communicate. I hope all is well with you. All the very best,
Eddie
Eddie, I was having flashbacks. I haven’t heard that cut for decades. About four to be exact. LOL.
Man, thanks for the memories.
Bruce
PS, my homepage is
http://www.brucemurdoch.com
I’m an old Amarillo area musician, also. I used to play the SUB in Canyon & the old clubs around big A. I had the priviledge of playing/jamming with the likes of: Gary Swafford, Ted Barnhill, Mark Craemer, Butch Kelly, Nelson Wertman, Dale Gardner, Carrol Reams, Tommy Pogue, Ronnie Hester, John Holcombe, Charlie knight, etc. I’ve been chasing memories & records of the old rockers for a decade. I was thinking that Mark Hinton played with the Dueces Wild? Did they change their name to …The Hysterical Society?? Anyway, I am glad to learn who the society was as they were really great. Incidently, I’ve written quite a bit about the early Amarillo-Lubbock music scene. You will find a link to such West Texas Music on: http://sw_index.tripod.com
Great to finally know about this band. I heard this song on the radio back in the summer of ’66 in Chicago, and went out and bought a copy. I always wondered who this band was. I have a commercial copy of the record – they actually did sell them in the stores, at least for a while!