Mint Tattoo

James William Guercio/ Phil Ramone Producer Linne-up: Ralph Burns Kellogg Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Bruce Stephens Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Kazoo, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Greg Thomas Drums, Percussion From 1968. Primarily blues based rock of above average quality, this group has almost progressive ambitions at times. While they don't always measure up, they do go in some fascinating directions. Unusual song structures and lyrical ideas share space with hard rockin' blues. It's no where near the quality of Jeff Beck's Truth, but this album grows a little more with each listen. The band obviously needed a little more time to grow, but they fell apart before they really had a chance to establish their sound and direction.Bruce Stephens' raspy vocals fit the rockers, but can wear thin on some of the other numbers. He's certainly no Steve Marriot. He and keyboardist Burns Kellog show up in Blue Cheer a year later to finish out the New! Improved!! album. Kellog would hang in for a few years and albums, but Stephens would depart before finishing B.C.'s self titled album of late '69, going on to form Pilot.