VA - Eclipse (1980)

Eclipse is one of the least-known, Loss Leaders, whose low profile may not have been helped by the 50% price increase levied on it. Beginning with this set, the remaining WB 2LP samplers would sell for a whopping $3 (*sarcasm*), as the oil embargoes, shortages and economic recession of the mid-70s began to take their toll on Warner’s bottom line. Despite its obscurity, however, Eclipse is a warmly diverse listen. Leo Sayer teams up with writing partner, Ray Parker, Jr., for the rockin’ LP opener, “When The Money Runs Out.” Bonnie Raitt covers Robert Palmer’s “You’re Gonna Get What’s Coming.” There’s solo stuff from The Doobie Brothers’ Tom Johnston. Laurie Wood is better known as Chunky, of Chunky, Novi & Ernie, whose biggest claim to fame just may have come from the Loss Leaders series. Vapour Trails features guitarist Larry Carlton and one-time Wings drummer, Steve Holly. The Korgis is comprised of Andy Davis & James Warren, formerly of Stackridge, something I didn’t know (or remember), despite owning a couple of their synth-heavy LPs since the early 80s. Alda Reserve is a name I don’t remember at all, but the liner notes by Jim Bickhart (who will soon hit a home run compiling the last Loss Leader, Troublemakers) tell us they were discovered by Marshall Chess on the streets of NYC, during the punk/new wave explosion. A few sound clips from Monty Python’s Life Of Brian are welcomed, as is an appearance by the great Roy Wood (ex-Move/ELO). Carlene Carter (a.k.a. Mrs. Nick Lowe) covers Elvis Costello’s “Radio Sweetheart.” Ry Cooder conjures up a completely new arrangement for “Little Sister.” And… The Dukes includes former members of Stone The Crows, Keef Hartley, Savoy Brown, Be-Bob Deluxe and the Tom Robinson Band. The sole oddity/rarity here is the 1966 non-LP 45 of The Beau Brummels’ first single for WB, Bob Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings.” And, while the musical landscape of the early 80s continues to shift, with acts like Talking Heads and the Ramones, familiar names (Randy Newman, Little Feat, Ry Cooder and Van Morrison) are still on board.