The Light We See: The Recordings 1969-1971

Formed in 1966, Eyes of Blue won the Melody Maker Beat Contest that year and signed to Decca’s Deram label. Following the release of some unrepresentative singles (later disowned by the band), the group came to the attention of producer Lou Reizner.

The line-up of Gary Pickford-Hopkins (vocals), Wyndham Rees (vocals), Phil Ryan (keyboards), Ray 'Tap' Williams (guitar), Ritchie Francis (bass), and John Weathers (drums) recorded their debut album, Crossroads of Time. Finally released by Mercury Records in early 1969, the record was a fine mixture of original compositions and imaginative covers, such as ‘7 + 7 Is’ and ‘Yesterday’.

The album’s title track and ‘Love is the Law’ were penned by the legendary Graham Bond, who also wrote the original album notes. A highly original album with psychedelic, jazz, and classical influences, Crossroads of Time is now regarded as a classic of the era and is much sought after by collectors.

In the Spring of 1969, Wyndham Rees departed and the band recorded In Fields of Ardath, a more “progressive” album, touching on a range of influences from psychedelic rock, Rhythm and Blues, jazz, Indian, and classical music. Following its release, Eyes of Blue ended their association with Mercury records and headed further into a progressive rock direction, recording a third album with Lou Rezener.

The excellent Bluebell Wood was issued on the Progressive label Pegasus Records in 1971 under the moniker of Big Sleep. By the time of the album’s release, the band had disintegrated, leaving Phil Ryan to join Pete Brown's Piblokto! before joining up with fellow Welsh legends Man. John Weathers would later join Gentle Giant before also joining Man in the 1980s.