American pop rock singer, born 1949 as James Barry Keefer. Today mostly seen as a one-hit-wonder due to the million selling "98.6" single reaching #7 on Billboard and doing well in other countries. The follow-up 45:s "Aint Gonna Lie" and "Tell Me To My Face" both got to top 40 in the US, but that was about it. He issued three albums, where of this debute did quite well while the following two "Out Of Crank" and "The Adventures Of Keith" failed to sell. After struggling on a couple of more years, among other things touring with Zappa and releasing a couple of singles on Discreet label, he withdrew as an artist in the seventies. No doubt this LP was recorded to cash in on the success of the early 45:s. It's got all the A:s and B:s of those first three together with six cuts I assume were recorded especially for the album. Listening today I hear a very well sung, arranged and produced orchestrated pop LP. Positive and perky rather than cheeky or dangerous. Catching it for the first time not knowing about the background I would absolutely have guessed British. Like some unholy blend of the pop orientated Manfred Mann and the most adventurous Herman's Hermits, embraced by proficient string arrangements. Good positive pop not without memorable moments. Favorite tracks "98.6", "Tell It To My Face" and "To Whom It Concerns". This mono sounds like a separate mix and the audio is a-ok. Originally issued on vinyl in US (SR 61102/MG 21102), Canada (same no.s), UK (20103 MCL) and a couple of other European countries. Japan 2014 CD on Mercury (UICY 76733). Premiere US mono had label as shown here and glossy cover. (YZÄ) (ÖXCÅ*)
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