Happy The Man
Crafty Hands
Review by Steve Alspach
One Way records saw fit to re-release both albums from Happy the Man, an instrumental progressive outfit lying somewhere between Genesis and the Dregs musically. It was a very good call on One Way's part. Happy the Man was a very melodic, yet extremely accomplished ensemble that emphasized a keyboard-based sound. The group took their name from an old Genesis single, and the influence is fairly obvious, capturing the Genesis sound circa 1976. "Crafty Hands," the group's second album, was originally released on Arista in 1978.
The band at the time were: Stanley Whitaker, 6- and 12-string guitars and vocals; Frank Wyatt, pianos, harpsichord, saxes and flute; Kit Watkins, pianos, harpsichord, Moog, fake strings clavinet, Hammond B3, and recorder; Rick Kennell, bass; and Ron Riddle, drums.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 1 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years.
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