Nazz | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 1968 | |||
Recorded | April 1968 | |||
Studio | I. D. Sound Studios, Hollywood | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 38:13 | |||
Label | SGC | |||
Producer |
Bill Traut Michael Friedman Nazz | |||
Nazz chronology | ||||
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Singles from Nazz | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Nazz is the debut album by American rock group Nazz. It was released in 1968. The album spawned two singles, "Open My Eyes" and " Hello It's Me", with the latter reaching number 66 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. [3] "Open My Eyes" failed to chart but came to be regarded as a psychedelic rock classic, appearing on several compilations of the genre. "Hello It's Me" became a hit when Nazz guitarist Todd Rundgren re-recorded it for his 1972 solo album Something/Anything?.
The track "Open My Eyes" was accompanied by a promo video, directed by Ray Dennis Steckler. Nazz peaked at number 118 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart. [4]
The album was remastered and rereleased in 2006 with bonus tracks by Sanctuary Records Group.
Following a showcase at the Boston Tea Party in January 1968, The Nazz were signed by Screen Gems-Columbia. [5] In April 1968 the band entered the eight-track recording studio I. D. Sound Studios in Hollywood, California. By this time the band had all the songs they needed for their first album written, most of which favored a guitar-oriented sound, since lead vocalist/keyboardist Stewkey enjoyed being front man much more than being a keyboardist. [5]
The song "If That's the Way you Feel" was heavily inspired by the work of Jimmy Webb. [5] Guitarist Todd Rundgren said writing the song was "Really laborious for me, I didn't really know how to write music. Shorty Rogers did the arrangement and had to do a lot of corrections." [5]
After considering and then discarding the idea of having Felix Pappalardi produce the album, the Nazz picked Bill Traut instead. According to Rundgren, "[Bill Traut] didn't really do anything except read the trade papers. He didn't have any music suggestions. We should have got someone like Glyn Johns." [5] Rundgren was dissatisfied with Traut's final mix of the album, so the Nazz went to a studio in New York to do overdubs and remixing for two tracks, "Open My Eyes" and "Hello It's Me". [5] The Nazz wanted a flanging effect for "Open My Eyes" but the studio engineers did not know how to create it; Rundgren discovered how to do it accidentally while playing with a two-track tape machine. [5]
All songs written by Todd Rundgren, except where noted.
Album
Year | Chart | Position |
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1968 | US Billboard Pop Albums | 118 [4] |
Single
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
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1968 | "Open My Eyes" | Billboard Pop Singles | 112 |
1969 | "Hello It's Me" | Canada RPM Singles Chart | 39 [6] |
1969 | "Hello It's Me" | Billboard Pop Singles | 66 [3] |