In 1977
Rick Derringer's eponymous band,
Derringer, released their second album,
Sweet Evil. It marked a further decline in quality from 1976's
Derringer, which was already a serious dip from
Derringer's previous solo work. Tunes like "Keep On Makin' Love" and "One-Eyed Jack" are rudimentary and boring and no amount of hot guitar soloing can save them. Nor does the slick and uninspired production by the usually reliable Jack Douglas of
Cheap Trick renown. The record sounds like
Joe Walsh outtakes and makes a good case for
Derringer sticking with a career as a sideman. [In 2004 BGO paired
Sweet Evil up with
Derringer on one disc for reissue.] ~ Tim Sendra