In an odd farewell to its first chapter of existence,
Kayak decided to record a live album of group and fan favorites. What made this album peculiar was that the band played live, but to no audience. Instead, they set up in the studio as they would have for a concert and recorded
Eyewitness in essentially one take. The result is a crystalline collection of re-recorded old songs interspersed with a few new pieces. While
Edward Reekers assumed the lead vocal duties, as he had since 1978, it was appropriate to hear former vocalist and current drummer
Max Werner sing on some of the older numbers from
Starlight Dancer and
Royal Bed Bouncer. Regardless of who sang lead,
Eyewitness is a reflective collection of one of the most interesting progressive pop groups of the '70s, even though the band had passed its prime at the onset of the '80s. Keyboardist and songwriter
Ton Scherpenzeel was the driving force of
Kayak, and although the group gradually shifted from rock to pop, his songs always retained catchy melodies and a discernible degree of uniqueness. This was an appropriate swan song for
Kayak, as it melded the past with the present and avoided all the pomp and circumstance that plagues too many acts when they decide to call it a day.