TCCDM Pulls One Out..."First Grade" - Thomas Jefferson Kaye (1974)

"First Grade" - Thomas Jefferson Kaye (1974)

     Many have labeled Thomas Jefferson Kaye's "First Grade" a lost gem.  Perhaps it is.  I wouldn't go quite that far myself, but hyperbole aside, the album is an enjoyable square and a bit of a forgotten curio.  Kaye was a songwriter and producer involved with early acts from the 1960s and 1970s, spanning from the killer song "96 Tears" by ? and the Mysterians to Gene Clark's highly acclaimed album "No Other" (1974), which was initially panned and later considered a must-own record.

     As for "First Grade," there's a late Poco vibe going on that's dusted with some early Steely Dan spankage.  There are a couple of outlier songs that hint at Dr. John and Edgar Winter, but the overall Colorado/West Coast country rock aura is everywhere.  The good kind.  Becker and Fagen contributed two songs and, along with other Steely Dan musicians, were both in the studio.  Poco's Timothy Schmidt and Richie Furay, as well.  Rick Derringer and Dusty Springfield.  Also, a cream of other top-notch session musicians.  Sometimes, too many cooks...but not here.  The music all comes together.  Looking at the front and back cover, one would never know the juice inside.  "First Grade" isn't the best thing since sliced bread, but it's definitely a grabber and a grower.

"First Grade" - Thomas Jefferson Kaye (back)

Favorites include:
"American Lovers"
"Jones"
"Easy Kind Of Feeling"
"Sho Bout To Drive Me Wild"

     For whatever reason, when the record was released, the record company withheld its promotional dollars, and the album died an early death.  I don't know how many were actually sold, but this is the only copy I've ever come across in the wild.  They're not expensive. I paid $4 for my copy.  Discogs show a median price of less than $10, so Thomas Jefferson Kaye's "First Grade" is still flying under the radar.  Grab one if you find one.  TIL: Kaye's closing track, "One Man Band," was released on Three Dog Night's fifth album, "Naturally" (1970). 

Dunhill ABC Records

Cat #
DSX-50142
SIDE A  DEADWAX
DSX 50142-A REI  A2  A 
SIDE B  DEADWAX
DSX 50142-B REI  A2  B

"Easy Kind Of Feeling" - Thomas Jefferson Kaye / "First Grade" (1974)

TRACKS:
A1  "Northern California" 1:12
A2  "Easy Kind Of Feeling" 3:38
A3  "Sho Bout To Drive Me Wild" 4:13
A4  "Say That You Love Me" 2:26
A5  "American Lovers" 5:00
B1  "Jones" 3:17
B2  "Shine The Light" 3:36
B3  "All Cried Out" 4:23
B4  "L.A." 2:44
B5  "One Man Band" 3:14

PERSONNEL: 
Thomas Jefferson Kaye - vocals, guitar, writer (A1, A2, B3-B5)
Michael Omartian - keyboards
Rick Derringer - guitars, slide guitar
Dean Parks - guitars
Joe Osborne - bass
Jim Gordon - drums
Victor Feldman - percussion
ADDITIONAL:
Donald Fagen - piano
Walter Becker - bass
Jeff Baxter - steel guitar
Timothy B. Schmit - b-vocals
Richie Furay - b-vocals
Dusty Springfield - b-vocals
Richard Greene - violin
Jim Mason - b-vocals
Clydie King - b-vocals
Sherlie Matthews - b-vocals
Gary Katz - producer

Good stuff.

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