Eggs Over Easy - Good 'N' Cheap

Eggs Over Easy - Good 'N' Cheap
A&M Records, 1972
Recorded at Frank Wray's Studio, Tuscon, Arizona
Produced by Link Wray & Eggs Over Easy

Eggs Over Easy were unique in the fact that they were an American band who were essential in the development of the London pub rock scene in 1970s. The band were hugely influential when they were based in London, inspiring bands such as Brinsley Schwarz and Bees Make Honey with their unique take on American music.

Originally a trio consisting of members, Jack O'Hara, Austin De Lone and Brian Hopkins, Eggs Over Easy were formed in New York in 1969. After playing clubs all around the city, their manager Peter Kauff arranged with the company Cannon Films for the band to visit London and record an album with record producer and ex-Animals bassist Chas Chandler in 1970. Despite the sessions at Olympic Studios going well, problems between the financial backers Cannon Films and Peter Kauff meant the project was aborted. The band were told to remain in London until the issues were was sorted. To get by financially, the Eggs began to gig around London playing their rustic country-rock originals alongside well known rock n' roll and R&B tunes. The punters in London were wowed by the Americans and their reputation grew rapidly. Many British musicians were heavily inspired by Eggs, including Nick Lowe of Brinsley Schwarz. Unwittingly, the bands appearancse at the Telly Ho in Kentish Town among others helped to kick start the underground pub rock movement. Unfortunately, the band weren't able to continue to be a part of they scene they had help create. The band were forced to return home as they couldn't find a new record label and their visas had expired. Back in America, the band signed to A&M and recorded an album, which was to be Good 'N' Cheap.

Good 'N' Cheap is a wonderful blend of laid-back country rock, soul, pop, and good old rock n' roll. They were roots-y like Little Feat, yet catchy as any of their pop contemporaries such as America or Bread. The album opens with the brilliant 'Party Party', an uptempo song led by Piano player Andre de Lone. 'Party Party' is a fun song with some soaring guitar and piano interplay, one of the characteristics of their sound. The next track is the outlaw country song 'Arkansas', with its spoken word introduction and pedal steel licks make it a great wee country pastiche. One of the highlights of the album is the catchy soul-pop number 'Henry Morgan'. With its quirky piano riff and tasty intro guitar solo, 'Henry Morgan' is probably their most infectious, and commercial song on the album. To me, the song is reminiscent of the LA band Little Feat with its groovy piano, tight harmonies and terrific guitar work. Side A closes with the anthemic 'Face Down in the Meadow'. The song opens with a jangly power-pop-influenced guitar riff which is followed by some powerful held piano chords. 'Face Down in the Meadow' is a wonderful example of their fine musicianship with endless melodic interplay between piano, electric and acoustic guitars, alongside very professional vocal harmonies.

Side B opens with the beautiful 'Home To You' which reeks over west coast soft rockers America. Sung by Jack O'Hara (whom shares similarities vocally with America's Dan Peak), 'Home To You' reaches a dramatic climax following a tasteful piano solo. Out of the blue, the rest of the band provide soaring Crosby Stills and Nash-like backing vocals which really enhance O'Hara's lead vocal. The bands styles changes yet again, with the 'English pop' of 'Born of Riff and Tongue'. This little ditty makes the band sound more like The Hollies than Little Feat, however, it is still a fine song and demonstrates the influence of their English period had on them as songwriters. The album closes with the powerful rock of 'Night Flight' which puts the Eggs in Small Faces/Humble Pie territory, with crunchy chords and rock n' roll piano. 'Night Flight' would have been great live at places like the Telly Ho Pub and is a terrific end to the LP.

Despite the Good 'N' Cheap being released to rave reviews, the band faded into obscurity. After relocating to San Francisco and releasing the 1976 'Back of My Car' the band supported various band like Eagles and Yes to survive. The Eggs did record a second and final LP in 1980 named Fear of Frying, but it disappeared quickly after release. The band broke up in 1981, O'Hara become a sound engineer and de Lone worked as a session musician for the likes of Nick Lowe and Bonnie Raitt.

Over the years, Eggs Over Easy have been forgotten by the record buying public, despite countless musicians like Elvis Costello and Loudon Wainwright all declaring the influence of the Eggs. Good 'N' Cheap captures the bands unique sound is an essential listen for anyone interested in pub rock and American country rock. The Eggs were back in 2016, with the release of Good 'N' Cheap: The Eggs Over Easy Story. Released on Yep Hoc Records, this 3x LP/2x CD set includes their entire recording back catologue - including the tapes for the lost Olympic Studio sessions in London! I hope this compilation helps their fantastic music reach the wider audience that it undoubtedly deserves.

Key Tracks:

Henry Morgan
Face Down in the Meadow
Home To You
Arkansas

If you enjoyed this album, also check out:

Little Feat - Sailin' Shoes 1972
Brinsley Schwarz - Silver Pistol 1972
The Band - The Band 1969