March 2007 pt.1

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Creepy John Thomas - 1969 - Creepy John Thomas


Creepy_John_Thomas-_Creepy_John_Thomas.rar

Some garagy blues-rock from Britain...most of the album is pretty solid, with some really good fuzz licks here and there.

Thomas spent about a year in San Francisco following the original release of these solo albums, but by the early '70s had returned to London and a position as guitarist in the Edgar Broughton Band. Two albums with this outfit feature Thomas, the particularly practically entitled Bandages — seeing as the album has cuts on it, that is — combining him with studio mastermind Mike Oldfield. The guitarist also collaborated with Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox prior to the beginning of their Eurythmics success.

Jade Stone & Luv - 1977 - Mosaics, Pieces of Stone

(Jade 4351 US private press)

01 Waiting For The Rain
02 Come Home With Me
03 Working At The Business Of Living
04 Backroads Of My Mind
05 Man
06 Grab Hold
07 Take A Look
08 So Close
09 Cool Breeze
10 Reality

Interest in this is on the rise and rightly too, cause this is one cool ultra-1970s artefact by a couple decked out in full period regalia including a handlebar moustache (Jade Stone), hot pants (Luv), and a psychedelic VW bus. The music is notoriously hard to describe, but projects scenes of all-night cruising through Edge City in a stolen Cadillac, downing reds with cheap sparkling wine that you refer to as "champagne", with the 8-track blasting "Mosaics" at full volume. Neon sign singles bars, pool halls and re-opened nightclubs flash by while Jade Stone sings like the rock star he hopes soon to be. Not metropolitan hip, but dreams of stardom and glamour from the American underbelly, two renegade souls zooming down the highway between Austin and Nashville. Well-produced, with some fantastic tracks like "Man", featuring great keyboard and fuzz interplay, and soulful-loungey vocals. "Trailer-park music" someone called it. Major personal fave, but hardly for everyone, and the cover shot alone will scare a lot of potential buyers off. The poster (which is great) has only been found in a handful of copies and is worth almost as much as the album itself. Most copies have a promo sticker on the front cover. They also had some non-LP 45 tracks. [PL]
~~~
Like Darius (to whom his voice has been compared), Jade Stone wanted to be a big star! It was obviously not to be, and the world is left with this unique album, which is a mixture of 60s hippie, 70s country and timeless lounge rock, jacked up by inspired songwriting, Jade's overwhelming personality and tremendous arrangements. The closing "Reality" is packed with killer wah-wah guitar, and that should hook most of you, but the rest of the album, while mellower, is terrific too. Jade really has a flair for the dramatic, and comes off sounding quite important indeed. Songs like "Waiting For The Rain" have an elegant power. Luv doesn't sing lead, but she adds to the album cover's goofball appeal. [AM]

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Meic Stevens - 1970 - Outlander


ROWENA (4:41)
LOVE OWED (3:21)
LEFT OVER TIME (4:35)
LYING TO MYSELF (2:46)
THE SAILOR AND MADONNA (5:36)
OXBLOOD (1:12)
YORRIC (8:49)
MIDNIGHT COMES (3:06)
GHOST TOWN (5:50)
DAU RHOSYN COCH (2:43)
BALLAD OF OLD JOE BLIND (2:24)
I'M NOT THE ONE TO ASK WHY (1:55)
STEALING THE RAILROAD (3:31)


Meic Stevens may not be a familiar name in much of the world, but in his native Wales the singer-songwriter's stature is often compared to that of Bob Dylan. A local legend whose psych-folk influence can be heard in such contemporary Welsh groups as Super Furry Animals and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, Stevens also founded his country's first independent record company, the estimable Sain label.

Stevens sang mostly in his native language, a political act not unlike speaking Basque in Spain or Cherokee in the U.S. His one English-language album is 1970's Outlander, an outstanding marriage of musicianship and eclecticism. Arising from the same fertile soil as the work of the late-'60s icons, Stevens's album nonetheless manages to avoid easy comparisons. Its jazz-Indo-psych ragas merge seamlessly with its acid folksongs and Dylan-esque meditations on relationships and politics. Performed by a remarkable cast of musicians hand-picked by English rock tastemaker Ian Samwell, Outlander was created with a minimum of rehearsal and consists largely of first takes.

Greeted with critical acclaim upon Outlander's U.K. release, Stevens traveled Stateside for a two-week tour in the summer of 1970. But the album never crossed the Atlantic; its very first U.S. release is this expanded, remastered Rhino Handmade issue. Copies of the LP have fetched upwards of $500 on the collectors' market, a testimony to the enduring quality of its songs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Download It Here :

http://rapidshare.com/files/20724714/meicstevens.rar


Tuesday, March 13, 2007

V.A. - Highs in the Mid-Sixties vols 01-23 (Archive International Productions, 1983-1986)


  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #1 [L.A. '65 - Teenage Rebellion] - LP (1983)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #2 [L.A. '66 - Riot On Sunset Strip] - LP (1983)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #3 [L.A. '67 - Mondo Hollywood A Go-Go] - LP (1983)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #4 [Chicago] - LP (1983)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #5 [Michigan] - LP (1983)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #6 [Michigan Part Two] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #7 [The Northwest] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #8 [The South] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #9 [Ohio] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #10 [Wisconsin] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #11 [Texas Part One] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #12 [Texas Part Two] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #13 [Texas Part Three] - LP (1984)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #14 [The Northwest, Part Two: Out Of The Slime] - LP (1986)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #15 [Wisconsin, Part 2] - LP (1985)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #16 [The Northwest Part 3] - LP (1987)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #17 [Texas Part. 4] - LP (1986)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #18 [Colorado] - LP (1986)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #19 [Michigan Part 3] - LP (1985)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #20 [L.A. Part 4] - LP (1985)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #21 [Ohio Part 2] - LP (1985)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #22 [The South Part 2] - LP (1985)
  • Highs In The Mid Sixties #23 [Texas Part 5] - LP (1986)

  • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Tracklists & Links

    Here.


    Enjoy!!!


    '68 Comeback - 1994 - Singles Collections




    1 Chantilly Rock (And Pony's Tail)
    2 All Night Long
    3 Three Time Loser
    4 His Latest Flames
    5 You Could Call Me Job (Alternate Take)
    6 Where the Rio de Rosa Flows (Alternate Take)
    7 Peepin' and Hidin'
    8 Eager Boy
    9 It Gets a Little Red (Alternate Take)
    10 Long Time Ago
    11 Flip, Flop, and Fly
    12 He's My Everything
    13 Willie and the Hand Jive
    14 Sixteen Tons
    15 Little Bitch (And a Little Bitch Better) (Unreleased Take)
    16 I Wanna Drink Water (Unreleased)
    17 Little Bitch (And a Little Bitch Better)
    18 In My Dreams
    19 Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee
    20 Paper Boy Blues
    21 Tennessee Rock 'N' Roll
    22 Half-Breed
    23 Whistle Bait (Unreleased)
    24 Shake Your Hips (Unreleased)

    Not to be confused with the Elvis TV special or Brian Setzer power trio of the same name, '68 Comeback rose from the ashes of Ohio's psychobilly kings, the Gibson Bros., in 1992. Spearheaded by now Memphis-based singer/songwriter/musicologist Jeffrey Evans — who's said to have a shrine to rockabilly great Charlie Feathers in his living room — this stripped-down blues-rock monster roared out of the garage (i.e. Evans' home studio) with a series of well-received singles on In the Red, Sub Pop, Get Hip, and a variety of other independent labels. Aside from Monsieur Evans (as he was now billing himself) on vocals, guitar, and blues harp, the initial lineup included Peggy O'Neill (the Gories) on drums, Darin Lin Wood (the Red Devils) on guitar, Dan Brown (Gloryhole) on bass, and Jack Taylor (Monster Truck Five) on guitar. (Yes, that's right — three guitars.) Evans has claimed that their primary goal was to play live and to as accurately as possible recreate that live sound on record. On the strength of their first two singles, Chantilly Rock (And a Pony's Tail) (Sugar Ditch) and Three Time Loser (Sympathy for the Record Industry), they undertook a 60-day, 42-city U.S. tour. O'Neill was unable to make it, so Greg Cartwright (the Oblivians) took her place on the traps.
    Upon completion of the cross-country jaunt, they went straight into the studio and laid down the tracks for their first EP, "Paper Boy Blues" (1993). Their first full-length, Mr. Downchild, followed in 1994. That same year, Sympathy compiled the 45s and the EP (plus a number of alternate takes and unreleased tracks) into the Golden Rogues Collection and continued to release all their full-length recordings. Over the next few years, '68 Comeback issued several more 7"s — including the double-single Someday My Prince Will Come (1996) — and contributed to the soundtrack compilations, The Sore Losers (1997) and Shine On, Sweet Starlet (1998). Their most ambitious release to date, Bridge Too Fuckin' Far, hit the streets in 1998. The 21-track double-LP was dedicated to guitarist Jack Taylor (born 1965), who had died of a drug overdose the previous year (that's his picture on the cover). It was followed by 1999's Love Always Wins, which consisted primarily of covers and is widely considered their most accessible release.
    In the 2000s, Evans released a solo recording (I've Lived a Rich Life) and produced a number of artists, including Tav Falco's Panther Burns, Mr. Airplane Man, and the American Death Ray, at Tillman Audio Research (which also doubles as his living room). He's a charismatic live performer, known as much for his spirited singing and playing as for his entertaining, self-deprecating anecdotes, and eccentric sartorial statements (bowler hats, three-piece suits, etc.). Just as '68 Comeback's lineup has continued to mutate over the past decade — with Evans as its only mainstay — he's also played with other groups, such as Jeffrey Evans' C.C. Riders, the Porch Ghouls, and South Filthy. One way or the other, whether solo, with '68 Comeback, or some other like-minded outfit, it's hard not to imagine Monsieur Evans rocking and rolling on into his golden years just like his hero, Charlie Feathers.
    [info: allmusic.com]

    Monday, March 12, 2007

    Magic Muscle - 1991 - Gulp!

    Magic Muscle - 1991 - Gulp!

    Tracks :
    01 - Frank!
    02 - Hailer Of Taxis
    03 - Spaced And Displaced
    04 - Pipecall
    05 - Umbrellamental
    06 - Psymonic
    07 - Leaders

    The Band :
    Steve Broughton - drums
    Simon House - violin
    Adrian Shaw - bass
    Rod Goodway - vocals & gguitar
    Bevis Frond - lead guitar

    Gulp is Magic Muscle twenty years down the line, reconvening with an “enhanced” line-up for what is essentially a set of studio jams. Simon House and Adrian Shaw are both present, as is Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond) and some of this works quite well.

    The ultimate jamming album! Rod Goodway on vocals & guitar, ex Hawklord Adrian Shaw on bass, The Bevis Frond himself Nick Saloman on lead, legendary violinist Simon House of High Tide, Hawkwind & David Bowie's band & Steve Broughton on drums - Get them in the mood and place them in the now sadly defunct 'Weemeenit' studios in Barnet & let nature take it's course! The result?An album of uncompromising & innovative music. Melodic, haunting, exciting, rocking - Just plain brilliant !

    Heavy Psychedelic Rock, Highly Recommended !!!

    Sunday, March 11, 2007

    Moris Tepper - Moth to Mouth


    Here's some really unique folk-rock...Tepper played guitar for Captain Beefheart in the late '70's, and you can certainly hear the influence. Some of his material reminds me of a cross between Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Couldn't find much info on the album specifically, but check it out if you're a fan of unconventional approaches to music.
    As an aside, a friend of mine has started a psych/prog blog...of course there are only a handful of albums, but it will be brimming with some excellent titles soon enough!
    Check it out at:

    Yellow Sunshine Explosion - Yellow Sunshine Explosion

    Yellow Sunshine Explosion

    Band from Berlin, Germany

    Rare german spacey/kraut/psych with eastern tunes,sitars,mouthharp,
    garagey feel,strong vocals,spacey flute parts,dreamy organ sound,fuzz explosions…

    Bert Schlexer - Lead Vocal, Bass
    Paul Hadley Langley - Harmonika, Flute, Percussion
    Thomas Hopf - drums, Percussion, Tabla
    Georg Schulte - electric and acoustic Guitars, Vocals
    Gert Neumann - Sitar and Flute on "Take It Acid Is"
    Huggy Borkhardt - Organ on "Feminine Animation"

    Side One:

    Ballad Of Dan
    Sorry
    It's not my fault
    Yellow Sunshine Explosion
    Feminine Animation

    Side Two:

    Kaleidoscope
    Take it Acid is
    Sing Ba Ba Ba
    Sun my love
    Isabelle

    All Songs Written By Bert Schlexer
    Berlin, April 1987

    LSD (Love's Simple Dreams) Records
    LSD 4282

    Produced by Vic Count
    Engineered: Thomas Guhl

    Download Link:

    http://rapidshare.com/files/20379628/YellowSunshineExplosion.rar



    Saturday, March 10, 2007

    Temple Gates / Mark Enbatta

    MARK "VET" ENBATTA / HIDDEN PASSIONS

    1. Everybody Will Have To Pay - 2. When It's Fast - 3. Then It's Sad Blues -
    4. Like So Many Did Before - 5. Between The Words - 6. Forgotten Years - 7. I Can't Believe -
    8. Hidden Passions - 9. Love On The Bayou - 10. No Reason To Cry - 11. One Way Track -
    12. Northern Eden


    For those who like Vietnam Veterans here are the personal album of Mark Enbatta and a side project of Lucas Trouble.

    THE TEMPLE GATES / TEMPLE GATES

    1. Psychic Country Party - 2. The Day - 3. Frustration - 4. The Rite -
    5. Too Many Lies - 6. Like In My Dreams - 7. Escape From Real -
    8. Sweet Baby - 9. Velvet Illusions - 10. The Shiny Room - 11. Silver And Gold


    Unfortunately no info for these.

    If anyone could help I would really appreciate it !

    Download Links :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/9383913/Mark_Vet_Enbatta.rar
    http://rapidshare.com/files/9379439/Temple_Gates_1987.rar

    The Chi-Lites - 1971 - (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People


    One of the most popular smooth soul groups of the early '70s didn't hail from Philadelphia or Memphis, the two cities known for sweet, string-laden soul. Instead, the Chi-Lites were from Chicago, a town better known for its gritty urban blues and driving RB. Led by vocalist Eugene Record, the Chi-Lites had a lush, creamy sound distinguished by their four-part harmonies and layered productions. During the early '70s, they racked up
    11 Top Ten RB singles, ranging from the romantic ballads "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl" to protest songs like "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People" and "There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table)." All the songs featured Record's warm, pleading tenor and falsetto, and the majority of the group's hits were written by Record, often in collaboration with other songwriters like Barbara Acklin.


    Tracks
    1. Yes I'm Ready (If I Don't Get To Go)
    2. We Are Neighbors
    3. I Want To Pay You Back (For Loving Me)
    4. Have You Seen Her
    5. Give More Power To The People, (For God's Sake)
    6. Love Uprising
    7. Trouble's A Comin'
    8. You Got Me Walkin'
    9. What Do I Wish For


    The Reviews


    1
    This is the album that made them huge stars, with the huge hit "Have You Seen Her", which has to rank very high in my favorite songs of all time. The b-side to that single is also here, "Yes I'm Ready", and I couldn't think of a better song to put as the b-side to that soul classic. Overall, i'm not into it quite as much as the next few albums, but there is plenty to enjoy here. It is a unique album in that much of it revolves around social commentary of the day, like the Sly & the Family Stone-esque title track. Also, "I Want To Pay You Back" should've been a way bigger hit for the group.
    They have been sampled by artists such as Beyonce, Groove Armada and Jay Z. UB40 and The Jam rank among the groups that have covered the Chi-Lites. This is an absolute must for anyone interested in the origins of modern day sampling and the history of Funk/Disco.


    2
    Though they boasted one of the sweetest voices in soul music with Eugene Record, the Chi-Lites broke away from that format -- thankfully, only slightly -- for 1971's (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People. Influenced by the growing social consciousness of soul music during the early '70s (especially Sly & the Family Stone and the solo debut of fellow Chicagoan Curtis Mayfield), Record wrote a pair of songs (the title track and "We Are Neighbors") evoking not only deep frustration but also a plea for hope and unity that challenging times demanded. It certainly didn't hurt that both were monster productions with raw, aggressive synthesizers, intense lead vocals, and some of the strongest, loudest harmonizing ever heard on a soul record. Doubly ironic and doubly fortunate too that (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People also featured a pair of the Chi-Lites' sweetest soul ballads, "Have You Seen Her?" and "I Want to Pay You Back," plus the excellent strollers "Love Uprising" and "You Got Me Walkin'." The Chi-Lites weren't exactly album artists, but (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People was a powerful example of early-'70s soul and the best record they ever released.

    3
    The record industry was a strange game back in 1969-71. The Chi-Lites had been kicking around for a few years, doing good but not necessarily great Chicago-styled soul before they signed to Brunswick (a label whose 45 labels are among my favorite memories of early adolescence). Their debut album, ?Give It Away,? was a solid effort, though not necessarily memorable. The next year, 1970, the band got funkier, and a new album was rushed out to include singles like ?I Like Your Lovin? (Do You Like Mine?).? It included seven tracks from the album before it, which I guess nobody noticed since the first one didn?t sell much, anyway. Then came 1971, and masterpieces all over the place. ?Have You Seen Her?? ?We Are Neighbors.? And the magnificent ?(For God?s Sake) Give More Power to the People.? The Chi-Lites kept going after that, but never again achieved such a magnificent combination of progressive production, expansive melodies, and exquisite vocal harmonies.


    Download Link :

    The Sunshine Company - The Best Of


    Reviewer: "paulkristi" (Mount Prospect, Illinois United States)

    I am giving this C.D 5 stars because I really like the group. They had a ton of talent however the odds were stacked against them. Just like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy of the same time, they were warriors in the San Francisco Vs. L.A. sound (both aforemetioned groups from L.A). Unfortunatly at that particular time there was a flood of girl/guy folk rock harmony groups, just think, The Mojo Men,The vejatables,The Great Society,WE 5, The Neighborhood Childr'en,The Stone Poneys,Eternitys Children, Smith,Spanky And Our Gang, not to mention The Mamas and The Papas and The Jefferson Airplane. Where was there room for any more? Well, all of these groups really did have their own sounds but the genre was a bit crowded. Like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, The Sunshine Company suffered from lack of promotion from their record companies, it wasn't that these groups lacked talent, what they lacked was exposer. Double that with the countless number others groups doing the same thing, theres only one thing left to say: "One or two hit wonders.

    "Remember: The Peanut Butter Conspiracy is spreading and The Sunshine Company is Rising!!!!!!!

    more info here

    Download Link :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/20316283/theSunshineCompany.rar


    Radio Caroline


    Radio Caroline North.

    Radio Caroline : The Largest Commercial Radio Station in Broadcasting History : Provided a Vehicle for The 'Beat Boom' : And Brought much That was Good to the The World of Music. Radio Caroline Became Britain's Launching Pad for what became known as 'The British invasion'.

    Within one year of broadcasting Radio Caroline boasted upwards of 20 million listeners.During The Period 1964 -1968 Radio Caroline had offices in London, New York, and Toronto. Several other 'Pirate' Radio Stations Followed in Caroline's footsteps, around the coast of Britain.Radio Caroline Sponsored many Charities; and through Advertising Brought Prosperity to British companies, and by playing non stop pop music helped bring recognition to many of the bands we know and love today.

    Radio Caroline. The Brainchild of an eccentric Irishman, Rhonan O'Rahly came out of the Kennedy Era; and exemplified the 'Hippie' and 'Free Love' movement by supporting 'The Spirit of Free Enterprise'.When Radio Caroline Came on the air, The Circus had come to town and everything turned from Black and white; to all the colors of a rainbow.

    Radio Caroline Gave Birth to much of what has become known as Psychedelic and Progressive music from the late 60s and early 70s by opening up the music industry and making way for new ideas.

    Radio Caroline had attitude, Life, and real Spirit. Something which the monopoly of the British Boredom Corporation have never managed to accomplish.Below are Ten Mock Shows Which Chronologically Represent The Charts on Radio Caroline in The Mid To Late 1960s. The Shows Are in A typical Caroline Setting with Jingles, Adverts and News Broadcasts. All the songs are from the Top Twenty and were recorded from my personal Vinyl Collection.

    Jingle and Advert Clusters were cut and spliced for the Job in order to bring you This Concise Set of Ten 80 minute Caroline Shows.


    First set 1966 Vols 1-3.

    Radio_Caroline_1966_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_one_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_caroline_1966_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_two_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1966_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_three_80_minute_file.rar


    Second set. 1967 Vols 4-7.

    Radio_Caroline_1967_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_four_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1967_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_five_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1967_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_six_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1967_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_seven_80_minute_file.rar

    Third set. 1968 Vols. 8-10

    Radio_Caroline_1968_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_eight_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1968_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_nine_80_minute_file.rar
    Radio_Caroline_1968_Chris_s_mock_charts_show_vol_ten_80_minute_file.rar

    Bonus Program. This is a three Hour Show Tentatively Titled.
    The Continuing Sound of Caroline North.

    Radio_Caroline_continuing_sound_of_caroline_north_188minutes_Chris_s_mock_show.rar


    Posted by : OffshorechriS

    Insect Trust - Insect Trust (1968)


    Tracklist
    01 The skin game
    02 Miss fun city
    03 World war i song
    04 Special rider blues
    05 Foggy river bridge fly
    06 Been here and gone so soon
    07 Declaration of independence
    08 Walking on nails
    09 Brighter than day
    10 Mountain song
    11 Going home

    This late-60s quintet from NYC epitomized the broad sense of musical experimentation of the era, pulling incongruent forms together, and through a combination of optimism and naivete, managing to make them work. An unlikely assemblage of musicians, the Trust featured guitarist Bill Barth (electric, acoustic, bottleneck slide, etc.), Bob Palmer (alto sax, clarinet, recorders - who years later would become rock critic Robert Palmer), Trevor Koehler (baritone sax, piccolo, sewer drum, thumb piano, upright bass), Luke Faust (banjo, banjo-guitar, & vocals) and singer Nancy Jeffries - a powerful vocalist with a strong folk-rock sensibility. Rounding out this lineup were top-notch session players on bass, drums, rhythm guitar, and some uncredited strings. Their sound is all over the map, but generally combines elements of 60's psychedelic rock, jugband, and blues, with a strong injection of folk. Tracks like "Mountain Song" and "World War I Song" tend to showcase the jugband element, while pieces like "The Skin Game" with its maelstrom of slide guitars and wailing saxes typifies their psychedelic rock perspective. A cover of "Special Rider Blues" and a Barth/Jeffries composition "Going Home" are solid blues. "Been Here and Gone So Soon" presents their folkier side, (perhaps with a touch of Appalachia). A cover of Gabor Szabo's "Walking on Nails" is another highlight and a good showcase for Jeffries' voice, but the album's strongest piece is "Miss Fun City", with its introspective banjo intro, droning electric rhythm guitar with saxes soloing over the top - and another splendid showcase for Jeffries' voice; it combines all the best elements of their sound in equal proportion.
    An obscure classic ... a wonderfull album ...

    Download Link

    Friday, March 09, 2007

    David Crosby - If I Could Only Remember My Name


    Studio album by David Crosby

    Released February 22, 1971
    Recorded 1970-1971
    Genre Rock

    Length 37:04
    Label Atlantic

    Tracklist
    1. Music Is Love
    2. Cowboy Movie
    3. Tamalpais High (At About 3)
    4. Laughing
    5. What Are Their Names
    6. Traction In The Rain
    7. Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)
    8. Orleans
    9. I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here


    If I Could Only Remember My Name is David Crosby's first solo album, and one of four high-profile albums released by each partner of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the wake of their chart-topping Déjà Vu album of 1970. It has been in print continuously since its initial release.

    A large grouping of big-name rock stars circa 1970 appear on the record, including members of Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Santana. Three of the nine tracks feature vocals without any lyric, and the lyrics of a fourth, "Orléans," consist entirely of a roll call of famous French cathedrals. The song "Cowboy Movie" is Crosby's lengthy shaggy dog story regarding the personalities of CSNY, and another track, "Laughing," received an airing by Crosby accompanied only with his guitar on CSNY's 1970 tour. A live recording of "Laughing" would be added to the 1992 reissue of the document of that tour, Four Way Street.

    Aside from "Cowboy Movie," an ambience of ethereal abstraction permeates the record, very much a continuance of qualities exhibited on previous Crosby work both with The Byrds and CSN, such as "Everybody Has Been Burned" from Younger Than Yesterday or "Guinnevere" from the CSN debut. The lyrics parlay concerns typical to the era, "What Are Their Names" the notion of a ruling, invisible elite in America, and "Laughing" the elusiveness of enlightenment and the inherent wisdom of the child. Of the quartet, Crosby along with Nash echoed the Woodstock Nation ethos most strongly in their work. After this record, Crosby would wait eighteen years before releasing his next solo album.

    The album peaked at #12 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and "Music Is Love," released as a single, peaked at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was released for compact disc on October 25, 1990, having been digitally remastered from the original master tapes, using the equipment and techniques of the day, by original engineer Stephen Barncard. A double-disc reissue appeared on November 6, 2006, with an audio disc remastered in HDCD, including a bonus track "Kids and Dogs," and a second DVD Audio disc of the original album, with bonus track, remixed for 5.1 digital Surround Sound. Despite having been critically panned the year of its release (such as Village Voice rock critic Robert Christgau's notorious review showing a "D-" ), the album has undergone a revival of interest among fans of underground rock and folk such as Devendra Banhart and groups associated with the Elephant Six Collective. Attention garnered by the most recent reissue and remaster places the album in the same influential company as the more baroque works of Nick Drake and Fairport Convention.


    LINEUP

    David Crosby, vocals, guitars
    Graham Nash, guitar, vocals
    Neil Young, guitars, vocals, bass, congas, vibraphone
    Jerry Garcia, guitars, pedal steel guitar, vocal
    Phil Lesh, bass, vocal
    Mickey Hart, drums
    Bill Kreutzmann, drums, percussion
    Jorma Kaukonen, guitars
    Joni Mitchell, vocals
    Laura Allen, autoharp, vocal
    Grace Slick, vocal
    David Freiberg, vocal
    Paul Kantner, vocal
    Jack Casady, bass
    Gregg Rolie, piano
    Michael Shrieve, drums

    [edit] Additional personnel
    Stephen Barncard, engineer, digital remastering producer
    Ellen Burke, assistant engineer
    Gary Burden, art direction
    Henry Diltz, photography
    Elliot Roberts & Ronald Stone, management
    David Geffen, direction
    Bill Dooley, digital mastering engineer

    I guess all know this gem.... for those who don't just grab ...don't ask. One of the most amazing record ever.... in my opinion


    The Link


    Enjoy

    Al Green - 1972 - I'm Still In Love With You


    Al Green was the first great soul singer in the 70's.

    This album definitely sets the standard of what we call today Smooth Soul. Al Green is a timeless testamony of love and happiness. Yes Al we're still in love with your music.

    Tracks
    1 I'm Still in Love with You (3:16)
    2 I'm Glad You're Mine (2:59)
    3 Love and Happiness (5:03)
    4 What a Wonderful Thing Love Is (3:38)
    5 Simply Beautiful (4:15)
    6 Oh, Pretty Woman (3:25)
    7 For the Good Times (6:32)
    8 Look What You Done for Me (3:06)
    9 One of These Good Old Days (3:17)


    The Reviews

    1
    Still in Love with You is a complete album. The type of album that you can play straight through, in order, time after time. Each songs flows into the next creating the sense of a man giving a melodic testimony concerning his innermost feelings about love, life, longing, pain, sadness melancholy and redemption. Not a wasted note, sound or breath is to be found on the entire album.
    Of all of the instruments used in the making of this album, Al's voice is the greatest of them. It can be heard best on "Simply Beautiful". It is simple, controlled and seductive. He purposely teases with a falsetto that's as light as a feather yet as powerful as a tiger. All within his control at the same time. He sings as if he's whispering in his lady's ear - the moans at the end are potent enough to produce babies themselves.
    You cannot be a music fan or collector of any kind without owning this album. Masterpiece is an understatement..this is what the soul afterlife must be like.

    2
    There are few perfect records in the world, but Al Green's I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU may be one of them. Backed by producer Willie Mitchell's phenomenal stable of musicians, including drummer Al Jackson and the three Hodges brothers, Green reached deep into his soul to pull out one of the finest recordings of his (and, arguably, anyone else's) career. The opening title track is classic Green, with staccato punctuation from the Memphis Horns and Jackson's relaxed, syncopated drum pattern setting the stage for the singer's luxurious, silk-voiced expressions of devotion. The drums and slinky organ riff that kick off "So Glad You're Mine" are irresistible, while the inventive chord progression and infectious call and response section help make "Love And Happiness" one of the singer's finest moments. Continuing his tradition of turning unlikely outside material into gorgeous R&B, Green works his soulful magic on Kris Kristofferson's ballad "For The Good Times" and Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." The high point comes with "Simply Beautiful," an aptly titled tune that finds Green weaving his ethereal falsetto in and around a hypnotic groove with a grace that justifies his reputation as the king of R&B crooners. In truth, I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU is almost too good to believe. Not incidentally, it set the standard for the next 20-plus years of R&B music.

    3
    Al Green's I'm Still In Love With You, undoubtedly one of all-time favorite albums and more importantly, my so-called "desert island disc". In other words, if I were forced to spend eternity listening to one album, I would, without hesitation, select Green's 1972 classic to be my musical companion until the end of days. but what makes I'm Still In Love With You truly great -- and the reason why it'd be my desert island disc if I was ever forced to choose one -- is that there's something here for every mood. Green's cover of "Pretty Woman" draws on the innate funk sunken into Orbison's original, turning the classic rocker into a slinky, soulful groover. If you're feeling melancholy, you can sink into the quiet, morose atmosphere of "For the Good Times". Tap into either "Love and Happiness" or "What a Wonderful Thing Love Is" for the musical equivalent of an opiate dose -- an embracing sensation of well being that can't be shaken. There's something incredibly affirming about "One of These Good Old Days" -- a hopeful quality embedded not just in Green's vocals, but also in the blend of strings and horns that fuels this mid-tempo burner. And there is nothing more sublime that I've experienced than just closing my eyes to "Simply Beautiful" -- a title perfectly embodied in the song's unhurried guitar melody and Green's relaxed vocals. Most of all, Green never leaves you alone -- that intimacy I spoke about before just eases under your skin and is a companion throughout. You can listen to the album alone but you never feel alone with it.

    Download Link

    Thursday, March 08, 2007

    Mushroom Gods


    Mushroom Gods

    One of the best British underground neo psychedelic progressive rock groups of the late 90's to come out of Leeds, perhaps too underground for their own good as they never signed a major record deal but had a large following of spore’s around the country. Extensive touring gave them energy and a freak-out in their live sound quite unlike their peers always unfashionable and always unapologetic for it. Influenced by a real mix of bands; Hawkwind, Amon Duule 2, Can, Tangerine Dream, Jimi Hendrix, Big Black, Stooges, Velvet Underground, Pere Ubu, Soft Machine, Captain Beefheart and of course early Pink Floyd they where born in the wrong era but still die hard hippies, die hard sadly being too close to the truth as the drummer Richard Freek sadly died of alcohol abuse in 2002, following which Fast Elbert became a recluse and Mathew became a town planner which brought an untimely end to the band. Though lost Johnny and CJD still perform under the name Ejection.

    Anyway here’s the entire back catalogue, bear with it and you’ll be rewarded with a thousand virgins serving up chip butties on a bed of cannabis leaves in Avalon.

    Good Luck

    The Mushroom Gods are:
    Lost Johnny – keyboard, vocals
    Dick Freek – drums
    Mathew Corbett – sitar, flute, effects
    Fast Elbert Kram – guitar
    CJD – Bass, vocals


    Cossack

    01 - Cerebal Vibrater
    02 - Alien
    03 - Dweeb
    04 - Life is a Knife
    05 - Lord Have Mercy
    06 - Metal In Your Foot
    07 - Warp Speed
    08 - Mars on Mars
    09 - Night Rider (Live)


    Degauss

    01 - Degauss
    02 - Battlestar
    03 - Blinky
    04 - Davross
    05 - Yip Yip Indians
    06 - Vine Weavil
    07 - Suzzi'S Got Some
    08 - Sunburst
    09 - Marching Powder
    10 - Nostrobe Nostromo
    11 - Cull of the Munchkins
    12 - Cossack
    13 - Black Hornet's
    14 - Meanwood


    Eagle Has Landed
    (Live)

    01 - Anyone a Hippy
    02 - Sultan
    03 - Mongolian Outburst
    04 - Cull of the Munchkins


    Farger

    01 - Mongolian Outburst
    02 - Sunburst
    03 - Suma
    04 - Marajuana
    05 - River
    06 - Wormholes
    07 - Johnny is a Druglord
    08 - Rasputin
    09 - Wormholes (Single edit)


    Meanwood

    01 - Hal Start
    02 - GHBees - Lou Reed
    03 - Top Cat
    04 - Wormholes - Jonny is a Druglord
    05 - Marajuana
    06 - Surfin the Alien
    07 - Speed
    08 - Nile Song - Whats the Buzz
    09 - Hal Stop 99

    The Monsters - Hide and Seek


    Lurking behind the mausoleum in the moss-strewn cemetery, a hypnotic rhythm can be heard at the strike of midnight. Pulsating sexual tones, throbbing and tempting you to a trance like state while begging you to join the dance of the dead.

    Who are these cryptic crypt dwellers? Alas, the story unfolds!

    Formed in 1986 in Switzerland and comprised of guitar, bass and what is affectionately known as a clone drum (which means that there are two drummers with one and a half drums hitting the same bass drum from each side). The Monsters create a sound like a cross between The Seeds coming off a bad drunk or The Cramps on speedballs congealed with a meaner Reverend Horton Heat. Fuzz drenched overdose and dirty bookstore trashy rock and roll/garage/psychobilly. Rumour has it that The Monsters are in high rotation in Hell.

    The Beat-man (Vocals, Guitar) is the just short of genius brainchild behind the rich trash, sleaze, grind, mayhem he dishes out with ease. Highly addictive like being spoon-fed heaps of brown sugar.

    This cd is comprised of tracks taken from Youth Against Nature (1995), Birds Eat Martians (1998) and I See Dead People (2002) and bonus unreleased tracks. A great introduction to The Monsters hypnotizing, hip gyrating, grind and sleaze infested mind fuck rock and roll.

    By Christopher Duda (SugarBuzz Toronto)

    SugarBuzz Magazine


    Download Link :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19927878/monsters.rar


    Midsommar (Sweden) - 2 albums

    Ultrarare excellent Swedish heavy prog/psych with good reputation! Similar to Nature, November, San Michaels, Epizootic and Nebulosa.

    Huvudmusiker:
    Dan Pihl Orgel, piano
    Hans Olsson Bas, sång
    Lennart Andrén Gitarr, sång
    Peder Sundahl Trummor
    Reg Ward Saxofon, flöjt
    Weyne Feldt Sång, slagverk


    Midsommar - Midsommar (1970)

    Sida A:
    1. Illusionen Av En Färdigskolad Akademiker
    2. Sedan Urminnes Tider
    3. Killen Och Bostadsbristen
    4. Balladen Om Belfast
    5. Naturen Kämpar

    Sida B:
    1. Reklamdjungeln
    2. Morfars Visa
    3. TV-Låten
    4. James Lindberg Hughes
    5. Den Okände Soldaten


    Midsommar - Belsebub Är Lös… (1972)

    Sida A:
    1. Belsebub Är Lös
    2. På En Strand
    3. Drömmens Värld
    4. Jag Vill...

    Sida B:
    1. Midsommar
    2. Staden
    3. Fantomen
    4. Till Morsan

    I prefer their first than their second lp,

    Can't find any info in english, anyone????

    http://www.progg.se/band.asp?ID=126


    The links
    midsommar_-_midsommar__vinyl_1970_.rar
    1971_belsebub_aer_loes__256_.rar

    Enjoy

    The Prisoners - 1982 - A Taste Of Pink



    First up are the Prisoners andtheir 1982 album that launched the band, pressed up originally on their own Own-Up label. The first Prisoners album I ever bought was actually their second LP, Thewizermizerdemelza, but after loving that so much I immediately set out to find the first one. Thinner in sound that any of their subsequent albums, this one captures all the energy and youthfulness of a band finding their sound and is perhaps their most "mod" in a strict sense.

    Graham Day's throaty vocals and slashing guitar play perfectly off of James Taylor's organ work, especially on instro songs like "Creepy Crawlies" and "Come To The Mushroom." Hints of psych emerge in the title track and "Coming Home" is a garage rock classic. Also really cool is the hip-shakin' "Say Your Prayers," dominated by a simple yet effective '60s-style beat and riff.
    2003 - Alan Wright

    Listen to the Prisoners

    Download Here :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19916517/prisoners.rar

    Wednesday, March 07, 2007

    Epitaph - 1974 - Outside The Law


    And a Classic Rock essential.

    Arguably the best Epitaph album, !!! Every track here is a standout, featuring the powerful and brilliant dual harmony lead guitar attack of guitarists Cliff Jackson and Klaus Walz.

    Recorded in Chicago during their 1974 tour of the USA, this Anglo-German act were a dual guitar led progressive/hard rockin' outfit, with English vocals. Their third album on which the guitars take centre stage, twist and turning, licks interwoven into one fret-filled frenzy!


    The Group
    Cliff Jackson - lead guitar, acoustic guitar,vocals
    Klaus Walz - lead guitar
    Bernd Kolbe - bass, mellotron, vocals
    Achim Wielert - drums, percussion

    A
    1. Reflexion
    2. Woman
    3. Big City
    4. In Your Eyes

    B
    1. Outside The Law
    2. Tequila Shuffle
    3. Fresh Air


    Recording Data

    Record at Omega Studio Chicago November 1974
    Produced by EPITAPH
    Guest Musicians
    Fred Kaz (Piano)
    Billy Shaw (Organ)
    All written by Cliff Jackson
    Except B-2 by Bernd Kolbe



    The Reviews

    1
    I bought this album when I was kid for a buck from the cutout bin because I thought the cover looked cool. Needless to say even back then I was blown away by the music on Outside The Law. Now into my forties this is a welcome reissue on cd. Great guitar work, solid songwriting(a mixture of classic rock, progressive rock with a lot of melody thrown in) and the total efforts of a band creating their own masterpiece make for a great buy. There probably aren't alot of people who have heard this cd but if you want to add a classic seventies rock cd to your collection then pick this baby up. I already own Epitaph/Stop, Look and Listen. They are good efforts but Outside The Law was the release where Epitaph shined the most. Pick it up!

    2
    Epitaph's "Outside the Law" is one of the most profound rock albums of its time. I first ran across this album in 1977 under the Billigsgate label. The guitar work is phenominal. The title track is truly unmatched by the groups later works and its masterful guitar rifts can transport the listener literally Outside the Law! The some tracks on this album reveal an almost German Beatles aura. It is surprising that tunes like "Woman" and "Big City" never made US airplay. I highly recommend this album to anyone who is still stuck in the late 60's and early 70's or desires to be.

    3
    The seventies was a very healthy time for rock bands and in my opinion there would be hardy any undiscovered gems out there that might be discovered that could be equal to the many classic acts that are now well aware to the fans of that genre. The competition was strong and most of the bands played with a conviction and clarity that much of todays bands lack in an abundance. Epitaph were a German band with a British vocalist, to help break the English and American markets I can only assume, and they produced some very good hard rock music but failed to make any impact on the rock world, at least at mainstream level. Though Outside The Law is a decent album Epitaph had their obvious short comings. While the guitar work on the album is essential and similar of Thin Lizzy, like the Nightlife album (released during the same year as this recording) but with more bite and a more sonic pace, and a little boogie like The Allman Brothers. These guys could write good tunes, there is no denying that but I can only guess that record label interference and poor management never helped matters. Soon after they finished this album their record label Billingsgate went bust and left the band high and dry and without any money for their efforts. With a little hint of psyche and a splash of prog Outside The Law is an excellent hard rock album.


    Download Link :
    epitaph_-_1974_-_outside_the_law.rar

    The Count Bishops - 1996 - Speedball Plus 11


    July '75 and a band called CHROME were sculling around the third rate pub circuit long before Mr Rotten and Co. had pissed in their first ash tray. Ted Carroll looked at the Melody Maker gig guide(erama), pushed his glasses back up his nose and decided that with a name like that they had to be the first band on CHISWICK RECORDS. A week later, accompanied by diminutive partner, Roger Armstrong, he slunk into a seedy pub in Highbury and was confronted by four mean looking characters playing Chuck Berry riffs as if their lives depended on it. To the right, chewing gum and looking like he would eat your cat was ZENON HIEROWSKY; (later de Fleur) by any other name THE COUNT BISHOPS had arrived. Maniac American Mike Spencer inveigled his way into the operation several weeks later, sacked most of the band, brought JOHNNY GUTTAR over from the States on the promise of a vast record deal (CHISWICK RECORDS I ask you?) and gave birth to THE (original) COUNT BISHOPS. After one disastrous recording session, where the bass player couldn't even play "Walkin' The Dog", they went into Pathway Studios (8 tracks and no air) in August '75 and in about 7 hours laid down 13 blistering rock and roll tracks from which, in November of that year emerged the first release on CHISWICK, THE COUNT BISHOPS SPEEDBALL E.P.

    It didn't exactly set the world on fire, but through the vast Rock On Empire of two market stalls and few sympathetic dealers it managed to shift its initial pressing of 1,000 copies in a surprising short space of time.

    Not long after the band drifted away from CHISWICK, for a while to a small Dutch label called Dynamite for which they recorded Taking It Easy/Train Train. CHISWICK picked up the rights for this, flipped it to make Train Train the A side and released it as their fifth single. In the meantime Mike Spencer had left the band in an incident involving an unfriendly plate glass window. The four piece band that had recorded Train Train allowed an album of what were essentially demos to escape in Holland and went on to lay down backing tracks for what was to become the first 'official' COUNT BISHOPS album.

    At this point singer DAVE TICE was drafted by drummer and fellow Australian PAUL BALBI to complete the five piece line up that recorded "THE COUNT BISHOPS" album. Dave overdubbed his vocals on the already recorded backing tracks and the album came out in July '77. The single Baby Your Wrong/stay Free had already been pulled in April of that year.

    During the rest of '77 and the early part of '78 the band gigged extensively building up a strong personal following despite being fairly unfashionable in the face of the punk publicity onslaught. In the Spring of '78 they recorded some live material at the Roundhouse for a projected live CHISWICK album featuring 6 different CHISWICK acts. Although the projected album never got off the ground THE BISHOPS set was so good that it warranted an album of its own. 'LIVE BISHOPS' was released later that summer in 10"and 12"form with a name abbreviation to simply THE BISHOPS and a further personal change, PAT MCMULLAN replacing original bass player Steve Lewins. On the back of the album they toured with Motorhead equalling themselves more than adequately in front of the braying heavy metal fanatics with their red hot rock and roll.

    In April '78 the Sam & Dave classic "I Take What I Want" was unleashed to excellent radio play but slightly disappointing sales. The blistering "I Want Candy" came out in September as the first release through the EMI deal with CHISWICK, and though the sales were encouraging this time and the band made their first Top of The Pops appearance, the lack of radio action could not sustain the record to give it the chart placing it deserved.

    And so into '79 with a lot of road work behind them, two critically acclaimed albums (and rightly so) one single that got the play but not the sales and one that got the initial sales but not the play (not to mention one bona fide classic in Train Train).

    Three weeks ago the BISHOPS completed the album that they had been working on since early '78. Two days later ZENON DE FLEUR crashed his DB6 into a tree and died in hospital one week later. Despite the tragic loss, the band decided to continue as doubtless ZEN would have wished. Ironically, this looks like the one to break them.

    CROSSCUTS will be out at the beginning of May with MR JONES lifted as the single, and if hard work and commitment still mean anything then this album deserves to make it, for these boys have paid their dues several times over.


    The original Speedball EP featured just four tracks, including the similarly superlative "Teenage Letter," a performance which sounds like the Flamin' Groovies if they really were on fire. The eleven extras round up a mass of material which never saw release during the band's own lifetime, but packs a similarly psychotic visceral kick.

    Download Link :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19783783/countbishops.rar

    Farmyard -Same (New Zealand 1970)


    Progressive outfit. countryish rock, flute, jazzy and funky moments... quite interesting

    Line-Up:
    Rick White (Rhythm Guitar / Vocals)
    Tom Swainson (Drums)
    Milton Parker (Lead Guitar)
    Andy Stevens (Saxophone)
    Paul Curtis (Bass Guitar)

    Farmyard were a Wellington group who were around only for a short time from 1970 to 1971. Rick White, previously of the Relics and Tom Thumb, started with the group but was later replaced by Bernard Lee.
    Their first single for Polydor in 1970 was "Learnin' 'bout Living"/"Da Woirks". It was successful enough to gain entry in to the 1971 Loxene Gold Disk Awards. A self-titled album was also released and came in a plastic bag with a poster. A second single "Nothing's Happening Here"/"Me, The Dog, Ma And Dear Ol' Dad" also came out in 1970 and was included on their second album called "Back To Fronting" released in 1971. Their third and last single was "Which Way Confusion Part 1"/"Which Way Confusion Part 2", taken from their first album and appeared during 1971.
    Both of their albums were repackaged in 1991 into a double album called "Looking For A Place" on the Little Wing label. That album appears below. After Farmyard disbanded, Tom Swainson joined Wellington underground band Arkastra in February 1972, and Redeye in 1976.
    From http://www.sergent.com.au/farmyard.html

    @320
    farmyard_-_1970_-_same.rar

    any more info?

    Enjoy

    Essra Mohawk - Primordial Lovers MM



    Essra Mohawk - Primordial Lovers MM
    @256

    Certain great lost works of art, no matter how buried or obscured they may become, exude such inert brilliance and creative intensity that we’re eventually compelled to seek them out, dust them off, and again make them a part of our lives.

    In just such a spirit, Rhino Handmade has created Essra Mohawk’s Primordial Lovers MM, an expanded, year-2000 (hence the "MM" in the title), 22-track collection containing both of Mohawk's long out-of-print second and third albums.


    Released in 1970, Primordial Lovers, Essra Mohawk's second album, was written and recorded when she was 21 years old. It was released in the very same year as Joni Mitchell released Ladies Of The Canyon, Laura Nyro released Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat and Neil Young released After The Goldrush, and is the creative, equal to each of those. However, it was, it must be fairly said, probably a far more demanding first-time listen for folks in 1970 than each of those classics. It should also be noted that Primordial Lovers was cited in a 1977 Rolling Stone review as one of "the 25 all-time best albums."

    If Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair or Fiona Apple had been able to record an album thirty years ago, it would almost certainly have contained the themes, attitudes and insights first explored by Essra Mohawk. Primordial Lovers was, though freeform and jazz-tinged in its presentation, perhaps the first album to ever openly embody what is now referred to as "grrrrl power."

    Four years later, in 1974, Mohawk recorded and released her third album, the eponymous Essra Mohawk. Both Primordial Lovers and Essra Mohawk are collected together for the first time ever on CD on our tastefully appointed Primordial Lovers MM compilation. Each has been remastered from the original 2-track vault masters. We’ve filled out the collection with both of Mohawk's non-LP Reprise 45-RPM single B-sides. All of the tracks, except one, are, of course, in STEREO. The one MONO track (for which no STEREO master existed) is "Jabberwock Song" which was MONO on its original Reprise single. The 24-page booklet includes Mohawk's recollections on the making of these recordings as well as all of the lyrics for all of the tracks.

    Primordial Lovers MM is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 2,500 copies.

    Essra_Mohawk.part1.rar
    Essra_Mohawk.part2.rar

    Tuesday, March 06, 2007

    The Psyclone Rangers ! - 1995 - The Devil May Care


    Deal
    Ain't Goin' Down
    Firenze
    Tilt-A-Whirl
    Boyo
    The Awe Song
    Why the Hell Did I Die?
    I'm Straight
    Dejesus
    Nazi Mother
    Dr. Softness
    Mono Town [*]

    Psyclone Rangers are a wild bunch from Pennsylvania led by vocalist Jonathan Valania and guitarist Scott Dantzer. Their postures, halfway between freaks a` la Butthole Surfers and cowpunks a` la Gun Club, are wed to twisted, psychotic punk-rock. The band offers lyrics centered more upon feeling than culture. Again, the music is post-punk garage band raucousness as played from the garage at Graceland, but a few more songs branch out into more experimental angles. And while the music isn't as fueled as the pure pop and pop culture on Feel Nice, the effort is still rock & roll at its best and most well-crafted.

    Download Link :

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19742074/PsycloneRangers.rar


    Blue Mountain Eagle - 1970 - Blue Mountain Eagle




    Some of the best psych/country rock I have heard...these guys really know how to establish that good old '60's feeling.


    Allmusic review:
    You'd half expect this supergroup's self-titled debut album — recorded at Wally Heider's recording studios in L.A. with producer Bill Halverson (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Freddie King) — to have made a bigger splash. Unfortunately, after landing in record store bins in the spring of 1970, Blue Mountain Eagle failed to generate much interest among the audience it was intended for. The album really doesn't have a bad track (though many are largely unremarkable) and fans of bands like Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers — not to mention to occasional heavy-handed vibe of bands like Steppenwolf — are encouraged to seek out a copy of this long out-of-print LP (it's remained unavailable on CD). Each member of the group gets his own turn on lead vocals. The leadoff track, Joey Newman's "Love Is Here," kicks off with a nice fuzz guitar and soaring vocals, with Newman and Bob Jones trading blistering country-rock licks. "Yellow's Dream" sounds like something you'd expect to hear from Three Dog Night. Shortly after the release of this album, in May 1970, bassist Randy Fuller left the group to join Dewey Martin. Atlantic CEO (then Atco president) Ahmet Ertegun (who was reportedly a fan of Fuller's lone songwriting contribution, "Sweet Mama") tried to persuade Fuller to sign a solo deal and write songs for other Atlantic-related projects, but Fuller declined Ertegun's invitation. The rest of the band continued recording — there are rumors of enough material for a second album — but broke up soon thereafter, and their surviving statement as a band quickly vanished without further notice. As of 2002, Blue Mountain Eagle remains unavailable on CD.

    V.A. - Beat Express serie (Op Art 10",1999-2004)

    Vol.1 - Brabant

    Side 1
    1 The Chums - She'll Marry Me
    2 The Sound Specials - I Wasn't Satisfied
    3 The Spec's - What's Going On With Me?
    4 The Losers - Give Me Time
    5 The Counsellors - I'll Be Your Man

    Side 2
    1 The Comets - Big Boss Man
    2 The Phantoms - After Tomorrow
    3 The Heralds - I Wish I Was Strong
    4 The Spiders - I'm In Love Again!
    5 4PK - Down And Out

    Vol.2 - Amsterdam

    Side 1
    1 The Mokum Beat Five - Apologize
    2 The Insect - Be Good And Go
    3 The Triffits - Monkey Business
    4 Trix & The Paramounts - Doe Maar Net Zoals Ik
    5 Johnny & His Cellar Rockers - Why

    Side 2
    1 Linda Van Dyck With Boo & The Booboos - Stengun
    2 The Sparklings - Now It's Your Turn To Cry
    3 Hunters With Peggy March - Too Long Away
    4 Double Dutch - Double Cross
    5 Roek Williams & The Fighting Cats - You Walked Away
    6 The Outsiders - Thinking About Today

    Vol.3 - Kennemerland

    Side 1
    1 The Selfkick - Gosh! I'm Your Woman, Not Your Wife!
    2 The Bintangs - Please Do Listen
    3 The Hangmen - Hey, Hey, We're The Hangmen
    4 The Clarks - Spanish Fly
    5 The Lazy Bones - I'm Driftin'

    Side 2

    1 Flux - Come On Kakatoe
    2 The United Five - Go Go Mo Jo
    3 Hamlets - It's Autumn
    4 The Black Knights - Little Girl
    5 Rob Hoeke - Jolita
    6 The Lazy Bones - Big Boss Man


    Vol.4 - Utrecht

    Side 1
    1 The Mods - Baby Please Don't Go
    2 The Rhythms - Everytime
    3 Don Mercedes & The Improvers - (Willie And The) Hand Jive
    4 St. John & The Crew - I'm A Man
    5 The Mods - Don't Bring Me Down
    6 The Driftin' Five - Hard-Headed Baby

    Side 2
    1 The Jets - Worker In The Night
    2 The Rhythms - Go With Him
    3 St. John & The Crew - You Belong To Me
    4 The Mods - Brown Paper Sack
    5 Wo?w - Love Is Gone
    6 The Goldfingers - Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son

    Vol.5 - Westland

    Side 1
    1 The Inn-Sect - Let Me Tell You About The Things I Need
    2 The Kwyet - No Time For Tears
    3 The Groovy's - That's My Trouble Now
    4 The Ripchords - Cry
    5 The Competitors - Long Tall Shorty

    Side 2
    1 Groep Reza - From Home
    2 The Buddies - I Miss You
    3 The Inn-Sect - Walking In The Rain
    4 Groep Reza - It's A Shame
    5 The Groovy's - Stop Get A Ticket

    Vol.6 - Limburg

    Side 1
    1 The Entertainers - Little Girl
    2 The Entertainers - Down Home Girl
    3 The Entertainers - It's You
    4 The Entertainers - Crazy Miss Daisy
    5 The Entertainers - Searching
    6 The Entertainers - I'm Sorry Girl

    Side 2
    1 The Skope - Be Mine Again
    2 The Skope - From
    3 The Skope - Stop Quarreling Now
    4 The Sharons - All Of The Time
    5 The Interpreters - Any Time

    Vol.7 - Zaandam

    Side 1
    1 John Hatton & The Devotions - I'm Coming Home
    2 John Hatton & The Devotions - It's A Lie
    3 The Coopers - Didn't I
    4 The Coopers - Not A Bit
    5 Names & Faces - You're An Old Leaf
    6 Names & Faces - Keep Smiling

    Side 2
    1 The Teckels - Iko Iko
    2 The Teckels - Save Our Souls
    3 The Coopers - Leave This Man Alone
    4 John Hatton & The Devotions - To You My Love
    5 John Hatton & The Devotions - I Should Be Ashamed
    6 John Hatton & The Devotions - I'm Gonna Stay

    Vol.8 - Groningen

    Side 1
    1 Nicky & The Shouts - Don't Be A Fool
    2 Nicky & The Shouts - It's Time
    3 Nicky & The Shouts - Tears Inside
    4 Nicky & The Shouts - Guilty Man
    5 Nicky & The Shouts - Think
    6 Nicky & The Shouts - Every Time A New Surprise

    Side 2
    1 The Tykes - Double Crossin' Time
    2 The Tykes - Hey Girl
    3 The Tykes - Rosalee
    4 The Tykes - Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie
    5 The Tykes - Let's Dance
    6 The Tykes - Green Suzy

    Vol.9 - Overijssel

    Side 1
    1 The Gamblers - Dead. . .
    2 The Gamblers - Fighting And Crying
    3 The Gamblers - Sinner's Confession
    4 The Gamblers - Don't Worry 'Bout Me
    5 The Humbugs - A Little Bit Time
    6 The Humbugs - Go On Home, Little Girl

    Side 2
    1 The White Comets - I Say Yeah!
    2 The Meklight Sisters - Tired Of Waiting
    3 The White Comets - Tell Me Baby Why
    4 The White Comets - Pretty Little Girl
    5 Honest Men - Every Night And Day
    6 Honest Men - But Tomorrow

    Vol.10 - Noordkop

    Side 1
    1 The Marks - Green Sleeves
    2 The Marks - Now She Cries
    3 The Marks - Out Of My Mind
    4 The Marks - High Heel Sneakers
    5 The Marks - I'll Never Do
    6 The Marks - Come On Baby

    Side 2
    1 The Peps - I Found Out
    2 The Peps - Foolish Day
    3 The Typhoons - One Lost Love
    4 The Typhoons - Why Should I Be Angry
    5 The Alleycats - You Went Away
    6 The Alleycats - All The Things

    Vol.11 - Limburg #2

    Side 1
    1 The Flying Condors - Kom Van Dat Dak Af
    2 The Flying Condors - Chip Chip
    3 The Flying Condors - Bei Mi Bist Du Schon
    4 The Flying Condors - For Jeane
    5 The Rockin' Shadows - Any Time
    6 The Rockin' Shadows - The Night

    Side 2
    1 The Rolling Beats - Sweeter Than You
    2 The Rolling Beats - Don't Ask Me Why
    3 Flashcall - Crying All Day
    4 Flashcall - Prove It
    5 Snakes Group - Growing Wiser
    6 Snakes Group - This Is My Land

    Vol.12 - Den Haag

    Side 1
    1 Groep 1850 - Mother No-Head
    2 Pee White & The Magic Strangers - I'm A King Bee
    3 The Shane - Lady Bountiful
    4 The Key - I See Your Image
    5 Chapter II - Seven Dimes
    6 Mack - All My Hope Is Gone

    Side 2
    1 The Scarlets - Now I Know
    2 The Alligators - I'm On The Run
    3 Jenny & The Rascals - That's A Man's Way
    4 The Black Albinos - Shakin' All Over
    5 The Time Breakers - Don't Throw It All Away
    6 Q65 - You're The V


    Vol.13 [Amsterdam II]

    Side 1
    1 A B & C - He...Psst
    2 The Whiskers - Shakin' All Over
    3 Penny Wise - Silver Girl
    4 The Marquees - Call My Name
    5 Trix & The Paramounts - So In Love
    6 De Maskers - Inside Looking Out
    7 The Outsiders - Do You Feel Alright

    Side 2
    1 Met & Zonder - Now I Know
    2 The Lords - Day After Day
    3 The Insect - Pitch Me Out
    4 The Outsiders - I Don't Care
    5 Midnatt Fyran - When You're Lonesome
    6 Sharks & Me - Buses
    7 The Outsiders - Happyville

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19650708/va_-_beat_express_vol_3_-_Kennemerland.rar
    http://rapidshare.com/files/19666158/va_-_Beat_express_vol_4_-_Uthrech.rar
    http://rapidshare.com/files/19669306/va_-_Beat_Express_vol_5_-_Westland.rar
    http://rapidshare.com/files/19672401/va_-_Beat_express_vol_6_-_Linburg.rar
    http://rapidshare.com/files/19675184/va_-_beat_express_vol_7_-_Zaandam.rar http://rapidshare.com/files/19700157/va_-_beat_express_vol_13_-_amsterdam_2.rar

    Puff - Puff US 69


    MGM SE 4622 Hippie pop @192

    1. Dead Thoughts of Alfred
    2. Rainy Day
    3. Vacuum
    4. Walk upon the Water
    5. Who Do You Think You Are
    6. Of Not Being Able to Go to Sleep
    7. When I Wake up in the Morning
    8. Trees
    9. It's My Way
    10. I Sure Need You
    11. Go With You
    12. Changes

    David Ryan Bass, Vocals
    Puff Main Performer
    Robert H. Henderson Drums, Vocals
    Jim Mandell Flute, Vocals, Organ, Piano
    Vin Campisi Guitar
    Alan Lorber Producer

    Enjoy

    V.A. - Can't Stop It - The Australian Post Punk 1978-1982


    CAN'T STOP IT! AUSTRALIAN POST-PUNK 1978-82 collects crucial and underheard tracks from a variety of innovative Australian groups.
    A long overdue compilation of Australia's incredible post-punk history. This is a fantastically inventive and dynamic time in Australian music history, a time when Australia stepped out of the shadow of overseas influence and asserted its ownmusical identity. All of the bands on 'Can't Stop It' released their music independently, either themselves or through the handful of visionary labels of the time such as Au-go-go, Missing Link or Innocent Records.


    Monday, March 05, 2007

    The Love Depression (Venezuela) - 1968 - The Love Depression


    The Love Depression (Venezuela) - 1968 - The Love Depression
    @320

    Tracklist :
    01. Gonna Ride (3:00)
    02. High Way Child (3:02)
    03. When A Man Loves A Woman (3:27)
    04. Kansas City (4:57)
    05. If You Need Me (2:31)
    06. Toad (4:05)
    07. Stone Free (3:34)
    08. Crossroads (4:28)
    09. Whiter Shade (3:54)
    10. 51st Anniversary (3:14)
    11. I'm Sorry (3:18)
    12. Sweet Soul Music (1:56)

    Review :
    And the unearthing of various psychedelic-era obscurities continues. In this case, the chosen representatives -- reflecting turn of the century interest in a comparatively little-known Latin American '60s scene -- were from Venezuela; a teenage trio signed for a three-album contract that only recorded the one in 1968. The sparse liner notes indicate that it was pretty much the band's standard set, and as such, reveals that they were essentially a cover group with a fondness for soul -- the sole original, "Gonna Ride," kicks things off. It's actually a surprisingly blasting number once it hits the chorus, guitarist Alvaro Falcon going certifiably crazy via overdubs (in interesting contrast, the band's also good at simply cutting out fully for dramatic pauses). Bassist/singer Jesus Toro's slight accent tinges an otherwise standard-enough rock/blues delivery of the time, while the whole song ends on a wonderfully bemusing let-the-tape-slow-down note. After that, it's a reasonably standard selection in terms of musicians to reinterpret, though with admittedly sometimes intriguing song choices as representatives. For instance, though Jimi Hendrix was clearly an obvious influence on the group, tackling "Highway Child," "51st Anniversary," and "Stone Free" instead of "Purple Haze" and "Foxy Lady" showed more originality then than Lenny Kravitz now. Similarly, trying out Cream's notorious example of proto-arena-wank, "Toad" is clearly either inspired or flat-out nuts, right down to drummer Richard Rumaitre's over-the-top Ginger Baker impression. Not everything is a surprise -- there's the Leiber & Stoller standard "Kansas City," Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale," Robert Johnson-via-Cream's "Crossroads," and so forth. But sometimes, the juxtapositions are surprisingly inspired -- if "When a Man Loves a Woman" won't supplant Percy Sledge's take, credit to Toro for trying his best, and to the band as a whole for balancing implied heft with just enough restraint.

    ~ by Ned Raggett [AMG]

    Enjoy !!!

    Sunday, March 04, 2007

    Rare Bird - 1970 - As Your Mind Flies By


    This is something else. After the lighter touch of the debut album, Rare Bird sounds like a real prog rock band the 2nd time around. The riff on "Hammerhead" is a monster. The production is monumental. The sound is full of drama and dynamics, and lead singer Steve Gould sounds like he really means it this time. Maybe not so much grandeur as their contemporaries ELP, but looking back, Rare Bird is absolutely the most interesting of the two.

    A most essential prog rock album regardless of time and age.

    And still no guitars, if Steve Gould's bass guitar does not count...


    Line-up
    Mark Ashron / drums, vocals - Graham Field / organ, keyboards- Steve Gould / lead vocals, bass guitar- Dave Kaffinetti / electric piano, keyboards

    Tracks
    1. What you want to know (5:59)
    2. Down on the floor (2:41)
    3. Hammerhead (3:31)
    4. I'm thinking (5:40)
    5. Flight (19:39)
    - part 1. As your mind flies by
    - part 2. Vacuum
    - part 3. New York
    - part 4. Central Park


    The Reviews

    1

    Rare Bird's second album "As Your Mind Flies By" turned out to be their classic release. It's stuffed with a great 70's atmosphere and flawless songwriting. All the 5 tracks on the album are impressivly strong. "What You Want to Know" and "I'm Thinking" are melodic, organ-driven, early 70's progressive rock at its best. The arrangements have lots of cool, twisted and varied organ-sounds and the vocals are great. The rest of side one is made up of the short, baroque-influenced "Down on the Floor" and the great, heavy-progressive "Hammerhead". The second side consists of the 20-minute "Flight". This is one of those tracks that will make any fan of 70's progressive rock cry of joy. The first part of it is quite dramatic and classical-influenced, then it goes into a great jamming part with a choir and excellent duels between the organ playing of Graham Field and the twisted el-piano of Dave Kaffinetti. The two last parts of the track are energetic and heavy with the most perfect organ-sounds you can imagine. With no doubt one of the best progressive rock albums from 1970.

    2
    Second album for RARE BIRD marking a wonderful contribution to the progressive rock genre. Without a question fans of organ and keyboard driven prog rock will love the music of RARE BIRD. Their arrangements although centred around the keyboard work of David Kaffinetti offers some great drumming and bass interplay. Steve Gould’s melodramatic vocals are a tad bit raw but I think fit the music perfectly and give it a nice degree of grit. Prog heads will love the side long 20 min long track "Flight" an ambitious four-movement track which surprisingly does not overshadow side 1 which is littered as well with 4 fantastic tracks. For me the sound of RARE BIRD is a scientific cross of URIAH HEEP, T2 and ELP. "As You Mind Flies By" is pretty much a masterpiece and is an essential recording

    3
    This is a wonderful album that is build around the excellent duo-keyboardwork from Graham Field and David Kaffinetti. The shorter songs alternates from romantic to bombastic featuring powerful vocals (warm, melancholic, dramatic) and great play on the Hammond organ ("I'm thinking" is the Hammond in its full glory!) , electric piano and harpsichord ("Down on the floor"). The absolute highlight on this album is the 'magnum opus' "Flight" (at about 20 minutes), divided in four pieces. Part One contains propulsive interplay between drums and organ, Part Two has exciting duo-keyboardwork (swirling organplay), Part Three delivers a psychedelic organ (like early PINK FLOYD) and in Part Four is the focus on slow and sumptuous Hammond organ play (including excerps from RAVEL's "Bolero"), the vocals have a slightly hysterial undetone but fits perfect to the atmosphere.

    Download Link (256@+covers)

    Fortune Teller - 1968 - Inner-City Scream


    Fortune Teller - 1968 - Inner-City Scream
    (re-released in the late 1970's)

    01 Couldn't Run Away
    02 Til The Morning Comes
    03 Thin Line
    04 Looking Glass World
    05 Stay For A While
    06 It's Gonna Be Alright
    07 For You
    08 Where I Belong
    09 Times In My Life
    10 Inner City Scream


    FORTUNE TELLER (Baltimore, MD)

    "Inner-City Scream" 1978 (R.M.T. Studios 4956)

    Raw 70s garage rock with a rough urban edge as hinted by the title; obvious influence from late 60s Stones but with the macho posturing replaced by a bleak blue collar outlook that gives it a realistic presence, not unlike the rootsier tracks on Rayne. Minimalist and concise, devoid of any hippie dreams, very appealing in its honesty. Imagine the guys in Clap after a week of hard factory shifts, or Boa's older Viet Vet brothers. Killer 60s garage-psych moves on "Looking Glass World" is a highpoint with fuzz-lead and bass runs straight out of "Psychedelic Disaster Whirl"; a couple of tracks show a more sensitive melodic side that works well too. A mysterious "1968" date on the sleeve and label had people thinking the LP was from the late 60s, an indication of its timeless nature. May appeal to fans of 70s punk/DIY. Originals all through I think. Judging from this and the George Brigman LP, Baltimore was a pretty heavy place in the late 1970s. [PL]
    ~~~
    This album exists in a time warp. It’s from the midst of the first punk era, but sounds genuinely 60s garage the way no neo-garage band ever did. The fuzz guitars are everpresent, and the songs are pure garage pop and garage rock, rocking hard without ever sounding remotely “hard rock.” The sound is as cheap as can be, which only accentuates the coolness of the fuzz. Despite some awkward singing, there are a lot of catchy melodies here, and I can imagine that Baltimorians who discovered “Nuggets” in the late 70s went nuts over this band. A few songs flirt with rural rock, but basically it’s teen-sounding angst, just as cool as their punk peers. [AM]

    Saturday, March 03, 2007

    Rockfour - Supermarket (2000)


    Band Members
    Baruch Ben Yitzhak : Guitars , Vocals
    Marc Lazare : Bass , Vocals
    Issar Tennenbaum : Drums

    Track's List
    01 Goverment
    02 Forest Woods
    03 Superman
    04 Wild Animals
    05 Powers (it all comes to an end...)
    06 Route 66
    07 Supermarket
    08 Oranges
    09 She's full of fears

    I must admit I thought 'Rockfour' was a clever-clever pun on rocquefort, with their slightly cheesy late-'60s sound, but I'm reliably informed it means 'four people who play rock music', which is slightly less interesting. Oh well. They're that rarest of things, an Israeli psych-prog outfit (!).They released three Hebrew-language albums before switching to English for 2000's Supermarket and the following year's One Fantastic Day
    Now to our point - Supermarket is absolutely e x c e l l e n t. Great songwriting, with a sort-of updated early Floyd sound with other stuff thrown in. It's rare to hear any psych-influenced stuff these days that doesn't sound like pure pastiche,but Rockfour get the right balance between tribute and innovation,with a gift for memorable melodies that many (most?) bands would kill for.

    Part neo psychedelia - Part prog/rock, this blend works perfectly here, (served cold with great lyrics) and the result ? ... a great album

    Download Link

    Ronnie Spector - 1999 - She Talks to Rainbows [ep]


    01 - she talks to rainbows
    02 - don't worry baby
    03 - you can't put your arms around a memory
    04 - bye bye baby
    05 - i wish i never saw the sunshine

    Ronnie Spector, born Veronica Bennett on August 10, 1943, in New York, NY, became famous as a member of the Ronettes, a girl group featuring her sister Estelle Bennett and cousin Nedra Talley. Her powerful and unique voice was a main strength of the band, as was their exotic and glamorous look. The group began as dancers at the Peppermint Lounge in New York and made a string of unsuccessful records in the early '60s before hooking up with Phil Spector in 1963 and releasing great songs and smash hits like "Be My Baby," "Walking in the Rain," "Do I Love You," and "I Can Hear Music."

    This EP was originally issued by Creation Records in the U.K. With that in mind, though it's a little weird to hear the original teenager singing her songs through a Jesus and Mary Chain-style wall of sound filter, it works like a charm. The Joey Ramone-penned "She Talks to Rainbows" and the "Be My Baby"-ish "Bye-Bye Baby," a duet with Ramone, is perfect for the pair. What a a thrill to hear Spector sing the Brian Wilson song she inspired, "Don't Worry Baby." This one might just be the version of Johnny Thunders' "You Can't Put Your Arm Around A Memory" that his fans have hoped would materialize. Daniel Rey uses the same heavy hand he used on the Ramones and White Zombie but original tough chick Spector can handle it. "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine," recorded for English television tops-off this extraordinary "comeback." ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide

    Delta_Mov - Live at Studio 51



    DELTA MOV - LIVE RECORDED IN STUDIO 51 OF THESSALONIKI 1981


    In 2-12-1981 in the studio 51 of Thessaloniki was live recorded , in a special night with free entrance , this album with two groups Delta and Mov.

    The band of Mov was one of the most popular groups of Thessaloniki city.
    On the other hand Delta was a brand new band which prooved there value with these four songs. They have been influenced by Balkan sounds and psyckedelic rock.
    This album remains one of the most collectivable in Greece thought it was live recorded.

    *When you download it put in the end ".rar" and make sure you''ll change the title to ''Delta-Mov".

    Millie Jackson - 1974 - Caught Up


    A loose concept album about the consequences of a love affair with a married man, viewed from various sides. The opening suite "If Lovin' You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right/The Rap," a raid on
    Isaac Hayes's string-heavy slow funk stew, is one of the greatest recordings I've ever heard,

    A TREASURE!


    A1
    If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right 3:56
    A2 The Rap 5:53
    A3
    If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right (Reprise) 1:14
    A4 All I Want Is A Fighting Chance 2:37
    A5
    I'm Tired of Hiding 3:45
    B1 It's All Over But The Shouting 2:53
    B2 It's Easy Going 4:08
    B3 I'm Through Trying To Prove My Love To You 5:53
    B4 Summer (The First Time) 5:58


    The Reviews

    1
    Taking the drama of a love triangle to logical extremes, Millie Jackson's Caught Up turns the pitfalls of tainted love into the basis for a concept album (the seeds for soul music's explicit treatment of the topic having been planted by James Carr's "Dark End of the Street"). While the "other woman's" view is taken up initially on cuts like the R&B hit "If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want to Be Right," the wife's plight is covered on the second half of the disc with revealing titles like "It's All Over But the Shouting." Jackson also delivers some of her patented racy commentary on the appropriately named "The Rap," while showing equal vigor in the album's wealth of fine vocal performances, including an impressive cover of Bobby Womack's "I'm Through Trying to Prove My Love to You." Caught Up's standout track, though, is the version of Bobby Goldsboro's "Summer" that closes the record. Seemingly out of sync with the overriding concept, the song touches upon a girl's loss of innocence to an older man. One soon realizes, though, that beyond sexual awakening, Jackson is really emphasizing the point of no return: after the epiphany, one is sent hurdling toward the power struggles and politics of adult relations, including, potentially, the moral crossroads of infidelity. Luckily, as soon as your mind overloads from pop semiotics, the in-the-pocket grooves supplied by the Muscle Shoals Swampers provides the needed salve. Jackson shows both brains and soul on this fine release, creating what might be the only concept album one can dance and drink to.

    2
    As a certain english bard noticed centuries ago,fashion may change,politics are changing,religions too,but basic human emotions stays the same."Caught up" recorded in 1974. still have the power to move the listener,27 years after its release,simply because subject of love triangle would always be the part of our relationships and on this album explores this story with unsurpassed passion and honesty.Yes,true,music with its early,pre-disco funk could be recognised as result of early 1970's but its the first class production and interpretation,nevertheless sounds great simply because its original and today funk stars are trying to achieve same effects. I found strange that at the time of release,Millie Jackson was considered to be singer who is hiding her vocal limitations with "rap",when to my ears her robust,gritty,passionate voice sounds like one of the best voices I ever heard (combination of Gladys Knight and Tina Turner).I guess that her underrated status comes from the fact that every black female singer at the time was compared to Aretha Franklin,and Jackson openly admitted that she never had any singing lessons in her life - which make her one of the great natural talents and for me,she is singer nr.1 - I heard "Caught Up" just a few days ago and althought I discovered it late (27 years after recording) I am fan for life.

    Download Link (256@+covers)

    The 31st of February - 1969 - The 31st of February


    The 31st of February - 1969 - The 31st of February

    01 Sand Castles (2:44)
    02 Porcelain Mirrors (2:55)
    03 Broken Day (2:56)
    04 Wrong (2:11)
    05 Greener Isle (2:45)
    06 Codeine (6:17)
    07 Different Kind of Head (2:46)
    08 Pedestals (2:25)
    09 Free (2:29)
    10 Nickel's Worth of Benny's Help (4:22)
    11 Pick a Gripe (2:06)
    12 Cries of Treason (3:09)

    '60s pop-psychedelic/folk-rock. Most of the songs are from Scott Boyer or David Brown, they also cover Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Cod'ine", Jackie DeShannon "The Greener Isle", and the Dan Penn-Spooner Oldham-Chips Moman collaboration "Sandcastles."

    Light, reflective folk-rock is the primary color, slightly more downbeat than upbeat (heard to its best effect on "Porcelain Mirrors" and the lugubrious "Cries of Treason"), with a faint Baroque tinge to some of the arrangements and the occasional orchestration. There's a bit of California psychedelic freakout as well on "A Nickel's Worth of Benny's Help".

    The 31st of February made an album for Vanguard in the late 1960s. There was a little bit of folk-rock, a little bit of psychedelia, and a little bit of pop. All of their members, went on to projects that made a more lasting commercial impact. Butch Trucks became drummer for the Allman Brothers; Scott Boyer played in Cowboy; and bassist David Brown went to Santana.

    ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

    Enjoy !!!

    Friday, March 02, 2007

    V.A - Diggin' For Gold # 7-8 ( LP Smorgasbord, 1997-98)


    "A collection of 16 superior sixties garage winners; In the U.S.A."

    Side 1
    1 Thee Sixpence - Long Days Care
    2 Delirium - Never Comin Home
    3 The Wonders - Oh Yeah
    4 The Hi-Notes - Without You Darling
    5 4th Street Exit - Strange One
    6 The Riots - You're My Baby
    7 The Untouchables - Don't Go I'm Beggin'
    8 Plain Brown Wrapper - You'll Pay

    Side 2
    1 Tommy Thompson And CHP. #17 - Beggar Man
    2 Billy & The Kids - When I See You
    3 Mysterions - Is It A Lie?
    4 Java Men - Just Being With You
    5 The Moxies - Please Don't Go
    6 Bushmen - I Need Your Lovin'
    7 Id - Rotten Apple
    8 Ron Gray - Hold Back The Sunrise


    "A Collection of Demented 60's R&B/Punk & Mesmerizing 60's Pop"

    Side 1

    1
    The Falcons - Back Out On You (Malaysia) *
    2 The Spirits - So Sad (Belgium) *
    3
    Les Mann - Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut (Odense, Denmark)
    4
    The Dead-Heads - Stupid Little Baby (Germany) *
    5
    Les Candidates - I'll Go Now (Esbjerg, Denmark)
    6
    Vat 66 - Vat 66 Theme (Stockholm, Sweden)
    7
    The Torero's - Talking The Blues (Hilversum, Holland) *
    8
    The Noise - You Turn Me On (Gosport, U.K.)

    Side 2

    1
    The Chatles - Children Of Stone (Germany)
    2
    The Misfits - You Really Want Me (Belgium) *
    3
    Les Fraises Des Bois - You Better Run (France) *
    4
    The Chapters - Can't Stop Thinking About Her (Bradford, U.K.)
    5
    The Stoke Sect - Get The Picture (Alleroed, Denmark)
    6
    Les Falcons - Please Understand Me (Sarreguemines, France)
    7
    The Black Sharks - Too Much In Love (Ghent, Belgium)
    8
    The Woodpeckers - Inside Looking Out (Birkerod, Denmark)

    * indicates that the track only appears on this compilation

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19159932/va_-_diggin__for_gold_vol.7_-_in_the_usa.rar

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19182138/va_-_Diggin__for_gold_vol.8.rar

    Les Napoleons - a Go-Go (disque du monde,1966)

    Don't ask why, but for some reason we've become fascinated by mid-1960s French-Canadian garage bands. That said, here's a wonderful copy of one of the genres' best and rarest offerings - Montreal's Les Napoleons.

    Wish we knew more about thus outfit (see comments at the end of the review). We've found next to nothing on the web and even the LP is of little help - no liner notes and no writing or performance credits. Here's what little we know about these guys. Signed by the small Canadian Passe Temps label, the band debuted with the 1966 single "Fou De Toi" b/w "Tu Es Partis" (Passe Temps catalog number 903). The single sold well with French-Canadian audiences, leading Passe Temps to finance a supporting LP.

    Sporting a subtitle that says "music for dancing", 1966's "Les Napoleons a Go Go", offers up an engaging mix of snarling garage rockers and Mersybeat-inspired pop. While isolated ballads such as "Tu es Partie" and "La Vie Sans Toi are okay, the band's at their best on up-tempo rockers such as "Fou de Toi", "Reviens" and "Je M'en Fou". The set's low-fi production feel (again there are no production credits) adds to the overall appeal. Elsewhere their covers of The Beatles' "I Feel Fine" (for some reason mis-translated as "I'm In Love") and "We Can Work It Out" (translated as "Tout S'arrangera") are great. At least to our ears this set's even more interesting for the fact that although all ten tracks are sung in French, the energetic performances more than compensate for the fact the lyrics are largely a mystery. Man, these guys were every bit as good as their Anglo competition ...

    side 1
    1.) Fou de Toi
    2.) Tu es Partie (You are Leaving)
    3.) Reviens
    4.) La Vie Sans Toi (LIfe without You)
    5.) Je Suis en Amour (I'm In Love) (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) -

    side 2
    1.) Attention
    2.) Tout S'arrangera (We Can Work It Out) (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) -
    3.) Ne M'oublie Pas
    4.) Je M'en Fou
    5.) Un Jour (Some Day)

    V.A. - Beat Parade (Strasse Beat,2001)


    Side 1
    1 Boy Berger - Wooly Bully
    2 Uwe Spier - Treat Her Right
    3 Edgar & The Breathless - Schade Um Dei Zeit
    4 Lionel & The Tireds - Bei Uns Zu Haus
    5 Dickie Rock - Rock 'n' Roll Music
    6 The Germans - Oh La La
    7 The Gloomy Moon Singers - Zieht Euch Warm An

    Side 2
    1 The Javalins - Bits And Pieces
    2 Uwe Spier - Boom Boom
    3 Lucky Tucky & The Screen Wipers - You're Making The Mistake Of Your Life
    4 The Sharks - At The Scene
    5 Antoine - Autoroute Europeenne No. 4
    6 Cindy & Bert & The Jay Five - Paranoid
    7 The King-Beats - Too Much Monkey Business

    http://rapidshare.com/files/19053164/va_-_beat_parade.rar

    V.A. - Project Blue #3 [Nevermore!] (Project Blue,1996)


    "
    USA
    TEEN PUNKERS 1965-67 "

    Side 1
    1 The Six Deep - Girl, It's Over
    2 Rising Sun - Everybody Should Love Somebody
    3 Newberry 4 - That's Why I'm A Rolling Stone
    4 Missing Links - You've Got Your Rosies On
    5 Baker Knight & The Knightmares - Hallucinations
    6 Curfews - Look At Me
    7 Gyrations - Steppin' Stone
    8 East Coast Journeymen - Down Down Down
    9 The Sound Of Fury - I Don't Need You

    Side 2
    1 The Young Tyrants - I Try
    2 The Hazards - Hey Little Girl
    3 The Barracudas - I Can't Believe
    4 Brym-Stonz LTD. - You'll Be Mine
    5 Mark 5 - Only Woman You Can Trust
    6 The Preachers - Stay Out Of My World
    7 Ray Hummell III - Gentle Rain
    8 The Invaders - Have You Ever

    V.A. - The Huston Post_Nowsounds Groove-In (Way Back, 1990)

    "Top Ten Texas Rock Bands 1967"

    Side 1
    1 Fever Tree - Radio Commercial
    2 The Dimensions - Like My Girl
    3 The Surf Knights - In The Summer
    4 The Surf Knights - Stains Of Love
    5 The Countdown 5 - Uncle Kirby (From Brazil)
    6 The Countdown 5 - Candy
    7 Thursday's Children - Try, Girl
    8 The Glass Kans - Stick With Her

    Side 2
    1 A-440 - When I Get Out
    2 A-440 - Marathelia Glows In The Dark
    3 Neal Ford & The Fanatics - She Is All There Is
    4 Fever Tree - Girl, Oh Girl (Don't Push Me)
    5 The Moving Sidewalks - Every Night A New Surprise
    6 The Coastliners - My, My Oh My
    7 Thursday's Children - Air Conditioned Man
    8 The Six Pents - She Lied

    Girl Trouble - 1998 - Tuesdays Thursdays And Sundays


    Girl Trouble - 1998 - Tuesdays Thursdays And Sundays

    1. Go Metropolitan
    2. Live With No Tomorrow
    3. Intoxicating Criminal Die Cast Cool
    4. There's a Waste
    5. Strother Martin
    6. Cross County Curfew
    7. Princess Phone
    8. Track
    9. Louisianappeal
    10. Common Law Loners

    11. Don't Ask Me

    12. Scorpio 9
    13. Mr. Thackeray's Day Off

    about the band:
    Girl Trouble are one of those long-running Northwest institutions like Dead Moon or the Walkabouts that are easy to take for granted — not just because they've been around (seemingly) forever, but because they've stuck to their musical guns through thick and thin...and grunge and electronica and every other musical style to hit the scene since. Formed in Tacoma in 1983 — although they didn't actually play their first gig until 1984 — they're still growing strong in the 2000s and feature the same inimitable personnel: 6'5" Kurt P. Kendall ("the tall one") on vocals and saxophone, Bon Von Wheelie ("the grouchy one") on drums, shades-sporting Kahuna ("the volatile one") on guitar, and Dale Phillips ("the other one") on bass. The latter three were all born in T-Town, whereas K.P.'s family moved there from Spokane when he was three. Fiercely independent — they've never recorded for a major label — Girl Trouble, spearheaded by Von Wheelie (born Henderson), are also behind the fanzine/label Wig Out, which was initially intended to promote the band and its activities, but broadened its scope over the years. In addition, the wool-capped drummer — who put the "girl" in Girl Trouble (and has been compared to Moe Tucker for her steady, no-frills approach) — is responsible for designing the band's record covers and selecting the prizes given away at shows, whereas Kahuna (brother Bill Henderson) handles T-shirt and logo design. There's nothing smooth or slick about Girl Trouble, but fans of the Ramones, the Cramps (whose Lux Interior K.P.'s vocals most closely resemble), and every possible permutation of the aesthetic Billy Childish (the Milkshakes, Thee Headcoats, etc.) are sure to find their fun-filled lo-fi garage stomp well nigh irresistible. There's certainly a lot of material to choose from (some now sadly out of print): over a dozen singles (including splits with the Kings of Rock, the A-Bones, Pop Defect, and the Mono Men), several long-playing recordings, and appearances on countless compilations, including 1988's landmark Sub Pop 200. Girl Trouble made their vinyl debut in 1987 with two singles for Olympia, WA's K Records: "Riverbed" and "Old Time Religion." Seattle's Sub-Pop released their fine full-length debut, Hit It or Quit It, the following year. 1989 saw the release of "When Opposites Attract" on Wig Out and "Batman" — the theme from the TV show — on K, featuring producer/musician Steve Fisk on keyboards (and on B-side, "The Truth"). Another self-released Fisk-produced single followed in 1990, "Cleopatra & the Slaves" (with Captain Beefheart's "Who Do You Think You're Fooling?" on the flip). Next came sophomore full-length, Thrillsphere (featuring "When Opposites Attract" and "Cleopatra & the Slaves"), on Seattle's Popllama, a tightened-up version of their signature sound. 1990 also witnessed the release of a covers EP, Stomp and Shout and Work It on Out!!!!, on Burbank, CA's Dionysus. On this 12" platter, Girl Trouble paid tribute to their Northwest garage rock roots with covers of songs written (or popularized) by Mr. Lucky & the Gamblers, Tiny Tony & the Statics, Don & the Goodtimes, Jimmy Hanna & the Dynamics, and twin Tacoma legends the Wailers and the Sonics. Recorded live at Olympia's Tropicana on January 19, 1985, the multi-talented Fisk cemented his status as Girl Trouble's unofficial "fifth member" by contributing keys to "Out of Our Tree" and "Little Sally Tease." Just as Girl Trouble have never hid their love for the Sonics, 1992 saw tribute to another one of their biggest influences and inspirations: the one and only Elvis Presley. The Girl Trouble Plays Elvis Movie Themes double-7" ("Viva Las Vegas" plus three others) appeared on Sympathy for the Record Industry that year and was followed by a single on Seattle's eMpTy. "Work That Crowd" was another tribute (of sorts), this time to Granny Go Go, the world's oldest go-go dancer at 82. Granny herself provided guest vocals on the A-side (B-side, "Granny's Pad," was an instrumental). eMpTy released Girl Trouble's next — and arguably best — long-player, New American Shame, and mini-CD, Girl Trouble Live, in 1993. The latter was recorded live at Chicago's Empty Bottle and timed to coincide with the band's European tour with Portland trio Crackerbash and released only on that continent. They also made it up to Canada that year, hitting Montreal and Toronto, and hooking up with fellow groove-meisters like Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. Altogether, Girl Trouble has hit the East Coast three times, the first with Beat Happening, and the West Coast six or seven times, including dates with the Woggles, Phono-Comb, and Satan's Pilgrims. At this point, the Girl Trouble story slows down a bit after the flurry of activity between 1987 and 1993, hence their own description as the "slowest working band in showbiz." Their next release (not counting split singles, compilation tracks, and such) was "The Track" on Estrus, followed by a full-length, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, on Wig Out/Estrus in 1998 (featuring "The Track" plus B-side, "Scorpio 9"). They also undertook their last full tour that year, hitting the most cities yet and playing with the Makers, Swinging Neckbreakers, and others. Since then, they have continued to record and to perform and show no signs of stopping. In 2000, they recorded an album's worth of new material, but the master tapes were misplaced. Fortunately, they were recovered in late 2001, and the band intends to release the finished product in 2002. Unlike so many of their contemporaries, Girl Trouble have never been swayed by the latest fads or fashions. They just do what they do, and they do it well. They've also never underestimated the importance of quality showmanship. A good time — as well as a nifty prize of some kind — is guaranteed every time they play. That isn't likely to change anytime soon, even if they no longer maintain the same hectic pace. Kahuna is also a member of Sonics tribute band, New Original Sonic Sound, the other members of which include Mark Arm, Steve Turner, and Dan Peters from Mudhoney and Scott McCaughey from the Young Fresh Fellows.

    about the album:
    After the uncharacteristically long gap of five years, Girl Trouble returned with their fourth long-player, Tuesdays Thursdays & Sundays, in 1998. The recording, released on their own Wig Out label, just may be their most personal yet. First there's the title, a reference to the Tacoma quartet's practice schedule for the past 15 years. Then there's the cover photograph, which depicts their groovy practice space (and is filled with all the kitschy ephemera one would expect). Then there are the pictures included with the disc, photos of the band from 1983 to 1997, and a vintage shot of "Grandpa Henderson" from 1939 (their space was once his shed). Musically the band hasn't changed much since 1983 — they've just gotten better at what they do. Party anthem "Go Metropolitan," which opens the set, and British Invasion homage "Mr. Thackeray's Day Off," which ends it, rank with some of their best work, like 1989's stop 'n' start toe-tapper "When Opposites Attract." "Strother Martin" (the actor who portrayed the sadistic prison captain in Cool Hand Luke) and "Scorpio 9" are a couple of instrumentals that serve as welcome showcases for Kahuna's surf-meets-garage guitar rockin', Bon's solid, no-fuss drumming, and Dale's steady-as-she-goes bass playing, whereas "Common Law Loners" gives K.P. the chance to mold his deep, slightly twangy vocals into a sadder, more bluesy shape (a little like latter-period Elvis, but without the schmaltz). "The Track" was also released as a single on Bellingham's Estrus in 1996 (with "Scorpio 9" as the B-side).
    [info: allmusic.com]

    Thursday, March 01, 2007

    Älgarnas Trädgård - Framtiden är ett Svävande Skepp, Förankrat i Forntiden (1972)


    Älgarnas Trädgård - Framtiden är ett Svävande Skepp, Förankrat i Forntiden (1972)

    Älgarnas Trädgård's name translates as "Garden of the Elks" and this debut album has always stood as one of the pinnacles of underground psychedelic rock -- comparable to early Pink Floyd, Group 1850 and other world masters of space-out genius. The title translates as The Future is a Hovering Ship Anchored in the Past. The group employed an instrumental array made of: violins, rebec, cello, guitars, sitar, piano, zither, organ flutes, zinks, jew's harps, tablas, percussion, Moog-synthesizer & VC-3 Putney-synthesizer. Recorded at Studio Decibel in 1971, this CD reissue adds two bonus live tracks from 1972. From Dan Söderqvist's notes: "We have known each other since 1968, when we met in our home neighborhood Västra Frölunda, Gothenburg. We listened to everything; Perotinus heavenly choirs from the 13th century, Messien's heavy works for orchestra, Beefheart's Safe as Milk, with it's surreal lyrics, King Crimson's endless string of chords, the beautiful acoustic Third Ear Band, Terry Riley's minimalism and above all the psychedelic music of early Pink Floyd. Sometimes we played our 'dägga-däng-music', crazy rhythmical plays with acoustic guitars and hysterical giggles. Sometimes we just sat and listened to the sounds slowly disappearing into space ... We experimented with getting strange sounds out of our instruments, started to use amplifiers and played with echoes ... We constantly expanded our possibilities to get new sounds, with organs, mouth harps and pedals ... We got our hands on the first Moog module system that just about had reached Sweden. We mixed Middle Age instruments such as zinks and rebecs, sound effects, church bells, fragments of both Bach and The Beatles and improvised our way through the first album."

    enjoy!

    (if you had problems with the first link...Try this one)

    Michael Moorcock's Deep Fix - The New World's Fair

    The New World Fair (1975)
    (UA 29732)

    01 Candy Floss Cowboy (Narration) (1:20)
    02 Candy Floss Cowboy (Demo) (4:26)
    03 Fair Dealer (5:07)
    04 Narration 1 (0:34)
    05 Octopus (2:27)
    06 16 Year Old Doom (4:16)
    07 You're A Hero (Intro) (0:12)
    08 You're A Hero (3:11)
    09 Song For Marlene (Intro) (0:17)
    10 Song For Marlene (4:36)
    11 Dodgen Dude (2:45)
    12 Come To The Fair (1:20)
    13 Starcruiser (1:43)
    14 Narration 2 (0:24)
    15 In The Name Of Rock And Roll (4:07)
    16 Narration 3 (0:32)
    17 Ferris Wheel (5:56)
    18 Narration 4 (0:19)
    19 Last Merry Go Round (2:11)
    20 Narration 5 (0:14)
    21 Dude's Dream (4:42)

    Michael Moorcock - Vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo
    Graham Charnock - Bass
    Steve Gilmore - Guitar, vocals
    Terry Ollis - Drums (Ollis was the first drummer for Hawkwind, and is reported to have been the first drummer for the Deep Fix, though he isn't credited.)
    Simon King - Drums (Again, Simon was a drummer from Hawkwind. He plays on the Starcruiser/Dodgem Dude single and the New Worlds Fair album.)
    Alan Powell - Drums (Another drummer enlisted from Hawkwind, plays on New Worlds Fair.)
    Nik Turner - Sax (Nik Turner, of Hawkwind, later Inner City Unit, currently Anubian Lights. Nik Plays on the Starcruiser/Dodgem Dude single, and plays moral support on the album.)
    Shirlie Roden & Debi Doss - Backing vocals
    Snowy White - Guitar
    Kuma Harada - Bass
    Dave Brock & Herbert North - both guest for lead guitar on a track each
    Simon House - Violin, piano, mellotron
    Pete Pavli - Cello

    There were several other songs which did not make it onto New Worlds Fair. In the original release, Dodgem Dude was not included in the album, due to the length restrictions of vinyl. Happily, though, it was included in the Griffin CD re-release of the album. The lyrics for Kings of Speed were composed for the album, but never recorded. The lyrics were taken up by Dave Brock of Hawkwind and later used on the album Warrior on the Edge of Time.

    ~~~~~~~~~~

    "Steve Lake pits his wits against Hawkwind's Nik Turner and close associate, science fiction author / rock singer Michael Moorcock."
    This first appeared in the 10/5/75 issue of Melody Maker.
    Read More Here

    Gibson Bros. - 1987 - Big Pine Boogie




    01 - Casey Jones
    02 - Rhythm and Booze
    03 - Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine
    04 - Moon Twist
    05 - Poor Me
    06 - Sugartail Rock
    07 - Big Pine Boogie
    08 - Rovin' Dope Peddler
    09 - Bo Diddley Pulled a Boner
    10 - Skull and Crossbones
    11 - Ride a Coal Black Mare
    12 - Satanville
    13 - An Oddity


    Originally released on their own Okra label and now made easier to find from Homestead, the Gibson Bros.' debut howl is a winner...The Bros. (actually there are no brothers in this band) cough up a spooky mix of super reverb/tremelo'ed blues raunch that clatters and clangs all over the damn place. With vocals (primarily from Jeff Evans) that warble regardless of key and pitch, backed by a band that only rarely seems cognizant of staying in tune or keeping the same beat, this is truly primitive stuff, but at times exhilarating...The accent is on the blues, but this is punk-blues, post-modern 12-bar, deconstructed Bukka White, clearly not an Alligator release...By no means an easy record, the work you put into the Gibsons will pay off handsomely...
    [info: allmusic.com]

    Procol Harum - 1972 - Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra


    Track listing :
    1 "Conquistador (5:02)"

    2 "Whaling Stories (7:41)"

    3 "A Salty Dog (5:34)"

    4 "All This And More (4:22)"

    5 "In Held Twas In I (19:02)":

    a "Glimpses Of Nirvana"

    b "Twas Teatime At The Circus"

    c "In The Autumn Of My Madness"

    d "Look To Your Soul"

    e "Grand Finale"

    6 "Luskus Delph (3:37)"



    Chris Copping - organ
    Alan Cartwright - bass guitar
    B.J. Wilson - drums
    Dave Ball - guitar

    Gary Brooker - piano and vocals
    Keith Reid - lyrics
    with
    The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
    The Da Camera Singers


    Review:
    This whole album was an afterthought -- Procol Harum had been invited to play a concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Da Camera Singers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in August of 1971, at the tail-end of their last tour with Robin Trower in the lineup. Amid all of the preparation -- including the writing of new orchestral arrangements by Gary Brooker and with a new lead guitarist, Dave Ball, just joining the lineup -- Brooker decided that it might be a good idea to preserve a professionally made tape of the show and suggested that A&M Records, to which they were signed, might want to record the performance; the label agreed with just a week to go until the concert. Even "Conquistador," the song on which the resulting album's commercial success was built, was added at the last minute, with no time for the orchestra to rehearse the arrangement that Brooker wrote on the flight from England. They did it cold, opening the concert, and the eventual album featured a performance -- highlighted by the orchestra's brass in a Spanish mode, running scales on the strings, and B.J. Wilson's powerful drumming -- helped loft the single to number 16 in America. The group's second-biggest hit record (after "A Whiter Shade of Pale"), in turn, helped lift the album into the American Top Five. Ironically, the success of the LP also left Procol Harum's image slightly askew, with the presence of the orchestra and choir and the selection of songs, from the most ambitious part of the band's repertory, all combining to present the group as more of a progressive rock act than they actually were. "Conquistador" was the most accessible song on the album, and nothing else here matches it for sheer, bracing excitement, but the rest -- especially "Whaling Stories" and "A Salty Dog" and the multi-part "In Held 'Twas I" -- were all opened up by the vast canvas provided by the orchestra, and the group didn't wimp out in their own performance; Wilson, Ball, Brooker, and company all played hard and heavy where the songs required it. [Note: Long out of print on CD, Procol Harum Live: In Concert With the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra & the Da Camera Singers was finally reissued in August of 2002 by Repertoire Records in a newly annotated edition with one bonus track, "Luskus Delph," which was recorded at the same show and only ever issued on vinyl as a U.K. single B-side.]
    ~Bruce Eder [AMG]

    Thanks Skaman for this one !!!

    Nektar - 1973 - Remember The Future


    One of the finest Prog Rock album of the 70’s.
    The Lead Guitar work of Roye Albrighton is impressive and the vocal harmonies are excellent.
    A Classic

    Line-up:
    Allan "Taff" Freeman: keyboards / vocal
    Roye Albrighton: guitars / lead vocal
    Derek "Mo" Moore: bass / vocal
    Ron Howden: drums / percussion / vocal
    Mick Brockett: lights

    Track Listing

    Side 1:
    Remember the Future (Part I)
    a. Images of the Past
    b. Wheel of time
    c. Remember the Future
    d. Confusion

    Side 2:
    Remember the Future (Part II)
    e. Returning Light
    f. Questions and answers
    g. Tomorrow Never Comes
    h. Path of Light
    i. Recognition
    j. Let it Grow



    The Reviews

    1
    Remember the Future" remains Nektar's most popular and loved album, and that's with good reason. First of all, it has probably the most accomplished and perfected Nektar-sound of all their albums. Never before or after have Roye Albrigthon's perfect vocal-harmonies and guitar-playing sounded better, more distinctive and...Nektar-like! And not at least, the whole album is made up of a wonderful, 40-minute suite without a dead or unnecessary second at all. The melodies, atmosphere, playing, arrangements, production and construction of the whole piece are just so goddamn...perfect! Everyone who says that progressive rock is unstructured mess and instrumental self-indulgence should take a listen to this album. With the exception of the instrumental-part at the end of the first side, the whole piece is strongly based in carefully structured and well-written parts where the each member of the bands works wonderfully as integrated parts in the whole sound. The concept of the album is about a boy who speaks to an extraterrestial being in the form of a bird, and the whole story has a very optimistic and positive message. This album is just as essential in a progressive rock collection as "Close to the Edge", "Selling England by the Pound", "Brain Salad Surgery" and "Thick as a Brick".

    2
    Artemis and Apollo must be spinning Remember the Future on their Olympian stereo system right now because this is surely the purest distillation of Nektar's quirky but timeless genious. Alternately, rocking, spacey, psychedelic, funky, jazzy, Remember the Future features Roye Albrighton's hot guitar over a tight rhythm section and Taff Freeman's textured keyboards. As always, the singing is melodic and the arrangements beautifully constructed. And while some might snicker at the somewhat juvenile theme (an extraterrestrial bluebird who shows a boy the past and future history of the human race?), it's at least done in earnest. I rarely give any album five stars, but this is my desert island Nektar album (the one I wouldn't be without), so I'm justifying five stars in this case for perversity's sake. Great cover art, too, for those who care about such things.

    Download link (256@+covers)