Moxy - ST

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Fantasy	05:40
	2	Sail On Sail Away	05:09
	3	Can't You See I'm a Star	03:37
	4	Moon Rider	04:27

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Time to Move On	03:45
	2	Still I Wonder	04:45
	3	Train	04:39
	4	Out of the Darkness (Into the Fire)	04:51

Photos

Videos

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Information/Write-up

First there was Moxy in 1975, a powerhouse of a rock record that sounded like no-nonsense Zeppelin with a touch of Deep Purple, a slash at debut-era Rush and a bottom end built of all things Sabbath. And speaking of Deep Purple, Moxy's debut album featured a noted guest appearance from none other than Tommy Bolin, who burned a handful of solos throughout this Canuck classic.

"The first one was done basically as a trio. Buddy hadn't come into the band yet and it was all Earl's writing and Buzz's lyrics. So it was all focused on one style and of course, one fellow's musical creation, Earl. And it just came out very heavy."
-Bill Wade

Moxy was formed in 1974 by Buzz Shearman from the ashes of his previous act, Leigh Ashford. The same year the band was formed it was signed to Polydor records in Canada, mainly due to the popularity and success of Leigh Ashford and Buzz Shearman's reputation. The band's first album was recorded in California in only two weeks with co-producer Mark Smith, and as luck would have it, guitarist Tommy Bolin was recording next door. Bolin was so impressed with Moxy that he added some guitar work to the LP. After recording the album simply titled Moxy, the band headed back to Toronto and enlisted guitarist Buddy Caine to fill in the guitar parts that Bolin had added to the album. The debut album originally released in 1975 is a powerhouse of hard rock tunes; it was picked up by many radio stations in the U.S.A. and was a number one requested album in Texas. The success of the album lead to a contract with the Mercury Records label in the U.S. and a national distribution deal.
-Keith Pettipas, Allmusic

Moxy is a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1974, from previous members of the rock group Leigh Ashford – which included singer Douglas "Buzz" Shearman (former teen singer of Sherman & Peabody), alongside Greg Godovitz of Fludd & Goddo, and Gil Moore (later of Triumph), Earl Johnson (former member of King Biscuit Boy), Bill Wade (former member of Outlaw Music and Brutus under the alias Hally Hunter that also included Gino Scarpelli of Goddo) and Terry Juric, (former member of Outlaw Music and The Docker's Guild) as Leigh Ashford. The group changed its name to Moxy in late 1974. This name change was accompanied by a change in the group's sound. Buddy Caine, a former bandmate of Earl Johnson, was added to the group in 1975.

Moxy toured extensively in Canada before having a hit in late 1975 with "Can't You See I'm A Star". Moxy then toured the United States on the strength of their radio airplay. Markets in which the band was very popular included Ontario, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, and San Antonio. Joe Anthony, "the Godfather of Rock" in San Antonio on KISS-FM was largely responsible for the popularity of the band in south Texas and helped bring about their first headline appearance in the U.S. in 1977, appearing with AC/DC as their opening act.

Despite the death of Joe Anthony, the Moxy-Texas connection has continued into the present with Moxy's hits like "Can't You See I'm A Star", "Moon Rider", and "Sail On Sail Away". "Midnight Flight", "I'll Set You on Fire" and "Are You Ready" remain on the daily rotation at many Texas radio stations.

Many of the guitar solos on the band's debut album were performed by guest session musician Tommy Bolin.
-Rock Candy

Moxy, also informally known as The Black Album or Moxy I, is the self-titled debut studio album by the Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band Moxy. Their independently produced album was released in 1975 by Polydor Records in Canada, then under Mercury Records label was reissued in 1976 for worldwide distribution, both labels were owned by PolyGram at the time (they are now owned by Universal Music Group).

The album was picked up by many radio stations in the United States and was one of the most requested albums in Texas. As a consequence, Moxy was picked up by the larger Mercury Records label in the US and a national distribution deal was made and the album was reissued in 1976. The album produced the hit songs "Can't You See I'm a Star", "Train", "Out of the Darkness" and with "Sail On Sail Away" and "Moon Rider" that are still in the 2000s (decade) on regular rotation on several rock radio stations in Texas. The album sold well because of heavy promotion by the label who released the album on 8 Track in large numbers.

Tommy Bolin was a guest musician on the album. He had previously been the lead guitarist for the James Gang and would go on to replace Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. Bolin does all but two guitar solos. Earl Johnson performed all rhythm guitar and the solos on "Sail On Sail Away", "Can't You See I'm A Star" and the ending of "Train". Johnson was supposed to do all the guitar parts, but got into a disagreement with the producer and was tossed out of the studio. Bolin, being nearby, was asked by Moxy's manager Roland Paquin to fill in for Johnson. Paquin knew Bolin from when he was road manager for the James Gang. Bolin was only in the studio for this album, contrary to popular belief that he appears on Moxy II. Though Bolin's time with Moxy was short, the album is popular with his fans. Bolin's tone and phrasing were very similar to his classic James Gang sound.

Buddy Caine, who is listed on the album cover, did not join the band until after the album was finished. Caine was initially brought on board by the band as a rhythm guitarist to free up Johnson so he could play the solos on stage that Bolin had played in the studio.

Buzz Shearman: vocals
Earl Johnson: lead guitar
Buddy Caine: rhythm guitar (Buddy Caine is listed on the album cover, but did not join the band until after the album was finished.)
Earl Johnson: rhythm guitar
Terry Juric: bass
Bill Wade: drums
Tommy Bolin (Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple): guitar solos
Tom Stephenson: piano on 'Fantasy'

Arrangements by Moxy
Written by Buzz Shearman (tracks A3, A4, B4); and Earl Johnson
Produced by Mark Smith and Moxy
Engineered by Mark Smith and Richard Dashut
Recorded and mixed at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, California, USA

Album design by Heiner Geisel
Jacket sleeve photography by Larry Nickels

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