Beast - Beast (1969)

Formed in Denver, Colorado, Beast featured the talents of drummer Larry Ferris, keyboardist Gerry Fike, woodwind player Mike Kearnes, bassist Kenny Passarelli. singer David Raines, trumpet player Dominick Todero and former Super Band guitarist Robert Yeazel. 
This outfit played Eastern influenced psychedelic music. Their first album, "Beast", is melodic and mellow with sophisticated arrangements dominated by the flute and trumpet. A couple of songs have soul influences. The best tracks are the hypnotic "Floating", "Santo Domingo" and "When We Rise", which features some good guitar work.
Bob Yeazel had previously been with the Denver group The Super Band and dring a short stint in Los Angeles had played on the third West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band album. Bob Yeazel and Larry Ferris went on to play in Sugarloaf. Kenny Passarelli would later play with Joe Walsh's Barnstormer, Tommy Bolin, Steven Stills, Elton John, Hall and Oates, etc.
Following the band's break up Ferris and Yeazel joined Sugarloaf, while Pasarelli hooked up with Joe Walsh in Barnstorm, followed by an extended career as an in-demand sessions player.

Track listing

01.  "Floating" (Down By The River)  (Robert Yeazel)  - 4:35
02.  "Spaceman"  (Robert Yeazel)  - 3:33
03.  "Alley Sam" (I Feel A Change)  (Robert Yeazel)  - 3:12
04.  "Goin' Downtown"  (David Raines, Ken Passarelli, Robert Yeazel)  - 1:54
05.  "Listen / Cannabis Sativa L"  (David Raines, Ken Passarelli, Robert Yeazel)  - 2:38
06.  "Ev'ry Man Hears Different Music"   (Gerry Fike, Robert Yeazel)  - 3:39
07.  "Love Like"  (David Raines)  - 2:45
08.  "Dear Ruth"  (David Raines)  - 2:05
09.  "When We Rise"  (Michael Kerns, Robert Yeazel, Roger Bryant)  - 2:29
10.  "(Strange Places Like) Santo Domingo"  (Robert Yeazel)  - 6:39
11.  "On My Way"  (David Raines)  - 2:44
12.  "Treat Her Right"  (Roy Head)  - 1:55
13.  "Wow Wow"  (Ken Passarelli, Robert Yeazel)  -  0:51  

Credits
Vocals – David Raines
Bass Guitar – Ken Passarelli
Drum – Larry Ferris
Flute – Michael Kerns
Guitar – Robert Yeazel
Harmonica – Ken Passarelli
Organ – Gerry Fike
Saxophone – Michael Kerns
Trumpet – Dominick Todero
Photography – Carson Weaver, Tony Spicola
Artwork By – Carson Weaver
Producer – Norman Petty

Notes
Recorded at:  Petty's Clovis, New Mexico studios
Genre:  Psychedelic Rock
Length:  39:15

© 1969 Cotillion Records