Just A Boy Again Box Of Frogs

Just a Boy Again Album: Box of Frogs (1984)
by Box of Frogs

Box of Frogs were an English rock band formed in 1983 by former members of the Yardbirds, who released their first album in 1984. The core group consisted of Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty. Vocals on their eponymous album were done by John Fiddler (formerly of Medicine Head and British Lions). On the second album, Fiddler sang on five songs, with guests singers Graham Parker, Ian Dury and Roger Chapman performing the remaining songs. Many musicians guested on their albums (including guitarists Rory Gallagher, Earl Slick and Steve Hackett, harmonica player Mark Feltham, and keyboardists Max Middleton and Peter-John Vettese). Former Yardbirds bandmates Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page played lead guitar on parts of their first and second albums, respectively.

The group's formation and unusual band name were explained on the sticker affixed to original LP releases:

On June 23, 1983, as part of London's historic Marquee Club's 25th Anniversary celebrations, three original Yardbirds – Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty – found themselves together on stage again. This same venue had been a regular nightspot for the legendary guitar-based blues-rock band that was the springboard for the likes of Clapton, Beck and Page.

For Paul, Chris and Jim, the reunion made them realize they had to make more music in the Yardbirds' tradition. They added Medicine Head's John Fiddler on vocals to form the nucleus of the band.

On Christmas Eve 1983, Jeff Beck joined them at a recording session at a farmhouse south of London and added his unique touch to four of the tracks. As other old friends jumped into the sessions the idea for the group's new name came about. Now with a fresh spirit and basic rock and roll roots there is a new band from across the pond.

The group showed promise on the first album of rock radio friendly tunes, featuring Jeff Beck. The album was popular on college campuses. Plans were made for a US tour, but it is alleged that Samwell-Smith, Dreja, and McCarty hated the idea of the tour, much to John Fiddler's dismay. Jeff Beck, who along with Dzal Martin was considered as the lead guitarist for such a tour, was reportedly disgusted at his ex-bandmates' refusal to tour America. He took no part on the second album, Strange Land (1986), and Fiddler barely chose to do so before walking out. "Asylum" is one of the few songs Fiddler sang on, and was the only one featuring Page.

The group's two albums, Box of Frogs (1984) and Strange Land (1986), were combined for release on a single CD by Renaissance Records in 1996. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album four and a half out of five stars, although he commented:

Both albums are rather uneven and a little undistinguished, yet they may appeal to fans of mainstream AOR hard rock from the early '80s. For Yardbirds fans, this is essentially a curiosity, since it doesn't have the spark, sound or style of the Yardbirds, despite featuring Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja and Paul Samwell-Smith

John Fiddler - lead and backing vocals, guitars, percussion, synthesizers
Chris Dreja - guitar, percussion, occasional backing vocals
Paul Samwell-Smith - bass guitar, backing vocals, percussion, synthesizers
Jim McCarty - drums, percussion, backing vocals, keyboards
Dzal Martin - lead guitar
Peter-John Vettese - piano

Just a Boy Again
1984

[Intro]
Ooh, ooh
Mmm, mmm

[Verse 1]
Everybody in the world says I'm crazy
'Cause I play the jack of hearts
You know that it's easy
Gotta get to my seat before the dreaming starts, oh-oh

[Chorus]
I turned and turned again
Beneath the burning sun
I was just a boy again
Ooh, mmm
[Verse 2]
Nobody's gonna take any chances
It's hit-and-run, just hope for a win
Can't spend my time chasing romances
Open your dreams and let me in, oh-oh

[Chorus]
I turned and turned again
Beneath the burning moon
I was just a boy again
Ooh, mmm

[Bridge]
Ooh, they told me not to dream like that
Ooh, they told me that dreaming's a sin
Ooh, but you and I, we know better now
I wanna be, oh, let me be a dreamer

[Verse 3]
Here we are on the beach at midnight
Gonna find out who's in the dark
Who's the one who set your heart alight
Take care, don't get hit by a spark, oh-oh

[Chorus]
I turned and turned again
Beneath the rising sun
I was just a boy again
Ooh, mmm

[Outro]
Just a boy again, oh
I was just a boy again
Just a boy again, mmm
Just a boy again
Mmm, mmm, ooh
Just a boy again, ooh
I was just a boy again
Ooh, mmm, mmm