Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Over the Hills
Company: Probe
Catalog: CPLP 4506
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: bullet hole, gafefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $60.00
While we're not sure whether this was a band or solo effort, 1969's John Turner produced "Over the Hills" was worth hearing. Confusingly, even though the album credited "Saint Steven", the 13 tracks were credited to St. Steven. Even Probe Records seemed confused since the single "Ay-Aye-Poe-Day" b/w "Louisiana Home" was credited to "St Steven". Musically the set offered up a bizarre mix of folk-rock ("Grey Skies"), pseudo-psych moves ("Bastich 1"), hard rock ("Poor Small") and sound effects ("Voyage To Cleveland"). In spite of it's lack of focus, Cataldo was a decent singer, capable of writing attractive and fairly commercial material. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Over the Hills" track listing:
1.) Over the Hills (St. Steven) - 0:40
2.) Animal Hall (St. Steven) - 2:50
3.) Gladacadova (St. Steven) - 2:12
4.) Poor Small (St. Steven) - 2:41
5.) Ay-Aye-Poe-Day (St. Steven) - 3:25
6.) Grey Skies (St. Steven) - 2:51
7.) Over the Hills (St. Steven) - 1:00
8.) Bastich 1 (St. Steven) - 2:30
9.) Voyage To Cleveland (St. Steven) - 2:50
10.) Sun In the Flame (St. Steven) - 2:30
11.) Bright Lights (St. Steven) - 1:00
12.) Louisiana Home (St. Steven) - 2:51
13.) Bastich II (St. Steven) - 1:05
In the ensuing years the album's been reissued several times, including the European TRC and BOD labels.
In the mid-'70s Cataldo reappeared as a member of The Nervous Eaters (see separate entry).