{short description of image} Jim Keays Reviews {short description of image}


The Boy From the Stars Red On The Meter
In December, 1974 the Boy From The Stars and Kid's Blues b/w Interplanetary Boogie single came out. The Boy From The Stars was an ambtious concept album, superbly executed by an all-star cast of guest musicians (a veritable who's who of Aussie rock including Duncan McGuire, Mark Kennedy, Chris Brown, Marcia Hines, Phil Manning, Mal Logan, Billy Green, Ross Wilson, Lobby Loydee, Barry Sullivan, Peter Sullivan, Col Loughnan and others).

The album's science fiction theme told the story of a visitor from another planet who tried to warn the earth of impending doom through the various misuse of various sources of power. Although the nuclear issue was not broached, the albums theme sat well across it's two sides. Keays, who had written much of the music and all of the lyrics, assumed the role of Boy From The Stars and as commentator on the action.

The album's songs ranged from the lilting acoustic strains of the title track and Take It On Easy, and the atmospheric power of Space Brothers and Urantia, to the hard rocking Nothing Much Left and Kid's Blues. The album reached number 13 nationally, while the title track was issued as a single and became a top 40 hit. Incidentally, the non-album B-side to Kid's blues, Interplanetary Boogie was a tough boogie workout, with not much in the way of a 'tune', but a plethora of lead solos all jostling for attention in the mix, making for a heavy and heady ride. 		The album was commenced in 1981, but due to ill health of the lead guitarist it was never completed.

By 1983 Keays' attention had returned to the album he had commenced with The Keays. With the help of producer/musician Duncan McGuire and a handful of supportive musicians the album was finally completed and released as Red On The Meter in October 1983. It was admirable, if not particularly advventurous, set containing several energetic tunes in All Locked Up, Little Murders and Living Dead. Once again Lucifer Street (It had been released in 1981) was released as a single, but without a band to aid in promotion, the single and album sank without a trace.


Both these reviews taken from
Freedom Train Volume 1 Issue 1 1994 pg 40