Starry Eyed And Laughing

STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING: “Money Is No Friend Of Mine” (CBS):

The first single from ZigZag houseband, the very excellent Starry Eyed And Laughing, and it sure is good, Geronimo. Acapella introduction, then straight into a twelve string lift off.

Beautiful harmonies, great arrangement, neat guitar fills, the words are good and Dan Loggins’ production is careful and retains the necessary clarity. Any resemblance between Starry Eyed and a certain West Coast band, who shall remain nameless, is purely coincidental. It’s gonna be a hit, and I ain’t in the mood for arguin’ the point. A hit, definitely, or my name ain’t Roger McGuinn.

© Melody Maker, October 5 1974

Starry Eyed and Laughing.

“Money Is No Friend Of Mine”

This lot have already made a lot of friends with their back up tours, and this nice single can do nothing but spread the word.

(Uncredited)

Starry Eyed And Laughing: “Money Is No Friend Of Mine” (CBS 2686).

Lovely name for a group and a faithful reaction of the Byrds’ 67-68 sound, all ringing guitars. A necessary reminder that American soft rock doesn’t HAVE to sound like John Denver.

© Let It Rock, 1974

Starry Eyed And Laughing.

The usual criticism is that they sound a lot like the Byrds, but that they do it so well it doesn’t matter. Certainly with their single “Money Is No Friend Of Mine”, they make no attempt to avoid the comparison. The lead singer is a McGuinn impersonator; the jangling Byrd guitar and plopping bass are there as well; the results are excellent.

(Uncredited)

STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING: Money Is No Friend Of Mine. (CBS2686).

Nice production and harmonies, but it reeks of the Byrds. You like the Byrds? You’ll love this.

© Record Mirror, 1974

STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING: “Money Is No Friend Of Mine” (CBS)

Another Byrds sound, great for readers of ZigZag.

STARRY EYED & LAUGHING: “MONEY IS NO FRIEND OF MINE” (CBS)

NOR MINE. However we are told to love our enemies and I do what I can, softly and without undue ostentation. S, E, & L broadcast recently on my own truly wonderful radio programme and I was moved then to comment on their excellence. For those dolts among you who don’t listen regularly let me put you in the picture.

Starry Eyed & Laughing perform, it cannot be denied, in a manner that might best be described as trad. Byrds. They do it quite extraordinarily well, injecting just enough of themselves to avoid being written off as mere copyists and, in the process., writing some dashed fine little numbers. This is one of their best. It opens acapella, with an invitation to one and all to burn their money. Then we’re joined by 12-string in the Byrds grand manner and California Country accents unfold the rest of tale.

The playing is superb throughout and a certain reserve, allied to Dan Loggins’ neat production, results in less density than was common on Byrds records and a greater attention to detail. Mandolins are on display, as is some well-judged hand-clapping, and overall this is a record well worth owning. An optimistic feel to it all, complete with an uplifting keychange.

“Huzzah”, they cried, falling to the ground in drunken abandon.

STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING

"Money Is No Friend Of Mine"