The Blue Things

The Blue Things began in Kansas in 1964, and by 1965 when they were signed to RCA Records they had earned the reputation as one of the best Midwestern groups in the U.S.A. With a number of regional hit singles for the label, the band recorded an album which was released in 1966. By the time the album was released, the band had changed direction from a pop band to that of a psychedelic group patterned around the songwriting ability of group member and founder, Val Stecklein. The Blue Things' Story, Vol. 1 contains 22 tracks that trace the development of the band from its pop-folk roots to the hard psychedelic sound of its last years. By 1967, the band had run its course and sadly broke up. Val Stecklein went on to explore more of the psychedelic sound with other bands. The Blue Things' Story, Vol. 2 continues the story and history of the band and Val Stecklein where Vol. 1 left off. This CD compiles some early Blue Things singles, songs from the RCA album omitted from Vol. 1, and unreleased tracks from 1966. The CD also features two early pre-Blue Things tracks by Val Stoecklein and the Hi Plains Singers from 1963 and four tracks from 1964 by the Blueboys, another pre-Blue Things incarnation. The 22 tracks on this album are brought to a close with two Grey Life solo project songs recorded by Stoecklein in 1968. Both volumes of Story gives the listener 44 tracks of one of the best bands to emerge from the Midwest '60s music scene and an insight of the remarkable talent of Val Stecklein. ~ Keith Pettipas, All Music Guide