by Richard Skelly » Sat Dec 23, 2017 3:03 am
Known as the voice of Edward Bear, drummer Larry Evoy had much to be thankful for as Yuletide 1973 approached.
The trio, minus original members Danny Marks (guitar) and Paul Weldon (keys), were coming off their two biggest his—Last Song and Close Your Eyes. This Christmas ditty was produced by Bear studio colleague Gene Martynec. Over his career, Martynec would be associated with much edgier material for much moodier artists like Bruce Cockburn, Lou Reed and Rough Trade. Here, he keeps things lighter with a big assist from the late arranger Doug “Dr. Music” Riley.
This Edward Bear release clearly touches folks as the YouTube count shows. One YouTube commenter, Wendy Moulton, writes that Larry Evoy’ voice has a certain Bobby Goldsboro-type timbre. Come to think of it, there is more than a hint of Bobby’s vulnerable quaver in Larry’s delivery. And that’s not a bad thing.
C’mon Larry, take a break from raising thoroughbreds, and reassemble Edward Bear for a final hurrah.
Merry Christmas, all.