A harmony-pop outfit from London, they started as The West Coast Consortium. With their high-pitched falsetto vocals they are nothing for the hard-psych connoisseur. Their first single didn't make any impression and for some reason they changed their name for the second 45 to Robbie (maybe to establish their lead singer Robbie Fair as a solo act). Again success eluded them, although it was quite good. The follow-up "Colour Sergeant Lilywhite" was perhaps their most psychedelic and one of their best outings. Soon after they added organist Bill Mangham to their line-up and shortened their name to Consortium. The first record they did under the new moniker was "All The Love In The World". It was their only hit, reaching #22 in the UK charts. Not a bad song, but the backings are totally annoying. They released five more singles, all in the same style. Particularly "Day The Train Never Came", "I Don't Want Her Any More" and "The House Upon The Hill" are well worth hearing. They finally split around 1975 after RCA cancelled a record deal for an LP. At this time only Robbie Fair, now Robbie Legat, was the only remaining original member. The recordings were finally released as "Rebirth" on Angel Air in 2006 and more or less in the Pop-Rock vein. In 2003 Castle (Castle Music CMRCD 786) released "Looking Back", a 27 track CD, including all the singles (except the last) plus 11 unreleased tracks. There's another CD on Wooden Hill called "Mr. Umbrella Man" with more unreleased stuff.
Tracklist: - Some Other Someday - Looking Back - Indigo Spring - Listen To The Man - Colour Sergeant Lillywhite - Lady From Baltimore - All The Love In The World - Spending My Life Saying Goodbye - When The Day Breaks - The Day The Train Never Came - Beggar Man - Cynthia Serenity - I Don't Want Her Anymore - The House Upon The Hill - Melanie Cries Alone - Copper Coloured Years - To Please Louise - Amanda Jane - Cindy In Love - Willow Wood - I'll Always Love You - Soldiers In The Rain - Live And Let Live - Once Upon A Time - What Are They All Singing About - Scarlet River - One Day The Train Never Came Personnel: Robbie Fair [aka Robbie Leggat] (vcls) [ABC] Brian Bronson (gtr) [AB] Geoffrey Simpson (organ, lead gtr, vcls) [AB] John Barker (bs, trombone) [AB] John Podbury (drms) [AB] Bill Mangham (organ) [B] Brian Parker (vcls, gtr) [C] Mick Ware (vcls, gtr) [C] Ken Brown (bs) [C] John Parker (drms) [C] Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. (C) Rebirth (Angel Air SJPCD 216) 2006
[1. racorded 1975]
45's: 1. (A) Some Other Someday/Looking Back (Pye 7N 17352) 1967 2. (A) Indigo Spring/Listen To The Man (Pye 7N 17370) 1967 3. (A) Colour Sergeant Lillywhite/Lady From Baltimore (Pye 7N 17482) 1968 4. (B) All The Love In The World/ Spending My Life Saying Goodbye (Pye 7N 17635) 1968 5. (B) When The Day Breaks/Day The Train Never Came (Pye 7N 17725) 1969 6. (B) Beggar Man/Cynthia Serenity (Pye 7N 17797) 1969 7. (B) I Don't Want Her Any More/The House Upon The Hill (Pye 7N 17841) 1969 8. (B) Melanie Cries Alone/Copper Coloured Years (Trend TNT 52) 1970 9. (B) Annabella/Tell Me My Friend (Trend 6099 004) 1971
[1. + 3. as West Coast Consortium] [2. as Robbie] [4. - 9. as Consortium]
It's hard to believe that New Westminster could be the heart of the R&B Scene, but there it was, the mid 60's, and IKE AND TINA TURNER were on the bill! The former Hollywood Bowl, under new ownership of Les Vogt and the management of Douglas Miller, became the short lived Grooveyard, and took its rightful place in local music history. MARVIN GAYE, ETTA JAMES, LITTLE JUNIOR PARKER, THE SPINNERS, and BO DIDDLEY performed there, as well as hot Northwest groups THE KINGSMEN, PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS, DON AND THE GOODTIMES, and even THE SONICS. Most importantly, The Grooveyard gave some of Vancouver's hottest acts a stage and, on some very special evenings, you could see up to ten live bands and dance 'til you dropped. It just didn't get any better. The original album was the brainchild of Les Vogt, band manager, concert promoter, rockabilly performer, and owner of the Grooveyard. He thought the album would generate more publicity for the club and the bands in his management stable. He took his idea to musician and song writer Tom Northcott and local entrepreneur Jack Herschorn at their offices, where they operated New Syndrome Records. All the songs on the album were recorded and engineered by Robin Spurgin at his studio. [..] The songs were not really recorded live in the club, but were actually played live in the studio with no added overdubs. Oddly, the crowd noise that was added to the background was recorded at the Arctic Club (a Vancouver Jazz venue) and not at the Grooveyard. [..] Recorded in 1966 and released in 1967, the originals pressing of the double album was only 1000 copies (making it one of the most sought after albums in Vancouver record collector circles). Doug Cuthbert, the original drummer for the Night Train Revue, did the original cover design. (taken from the liner notes)
Neptoon Records was responsible for this re-issue (Neptoon 005 / 2004) and as one might expect it consists mainly of Soul and R&B covers. Not a bad album, all bands are competent and the music has a special Northwest sound. The Stags for instance did a fine cover of The Wailers' "Out Of Our Tree" as well as an innocent version of The Byrds' "It Won't Be Wrong", The Shockers could easily find place on any "Northwest Battle Of The Bands" volume and The Shantelles' cover of "Have Love Will Travel" leans more towards to The Sonics than to the Richard Berry original (but in a smooth way). Live! From The Grooveyard is surely an artifact but also a hipshaker and quite good listen through.
Tracklist: 1. Epics - It's Growing 2. Epics - Knock On Wood 3. Night Train Revue - Letter Song 4. Night Train Revue - 99-1/2 5. Soul Unlimited - Get Out Of My Life Woman 6. Soul Unlimited - Choo Choo 7. Kentish Steele & The Shantelles - Have Love Will Travel 8. Kentish Steele & The Shantelles - Land Of 1000 Dances 9. Kentish Steele & The Shantelles - Leaving Here 10. Kentish Steele & The Shantelles - Mercy Mercy 11. Stags - It Won't Be Wrong 12. Stags - Out Of Our Tree 13. Shockers - You Don't Love Me 14. Shockers - It's You Alone 15. Nocturnals - Mustang Sally 16. Soul Unlimited - Little Joe 17. Soul Unlimited - Something You Got 18. Night Train Revue - Sometimes I Wonder 19. Night Train Revue - You Don't Know Like I Know 20. Epics - Cleo's Back 21. Epics - If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time 22. Shockers - Don't Bring Me Down 23. Shockers - You Better Run 24. Nocturnals - Slow Down 25. Nocturnals - You Make Me Feel So Good 26. Nocturnals - Get On Back 27. Stags - Drive My Car 28. Stags - Everybody Knows (I Still Love You) Personnel: [EPICS] Jayson Hoover (vcls) Jim Harmata (gtr) Bob Kidd (bs) Bill Gibson (keyb'ds) Gunther Klaus (sax) Dave MacPhail (drms)
[SOUL UNLIMITED] Carl Graves (vcls) Bob Nahirnak (gtr) Wayne Pealo (bs) Robbie Buchanan (keyb'ds) Al Lynch (trumpet, vcls) Bruce Norris (trombone) Ken Bronsch (sax) Stan Williamson (drms)
[KENTISH STEELE & THE SHANTELLES] Kentish Steele (vcls) Paul Dean (gtr) Brian Pulham (bs) Brian Tingle (organ) Gary Greensword (trumpet) Warren Clarke (trumpet) Stu Meadows (trombone) Brian Tansley (sax) Glen Gish (sax) Jim Patterson (drms)
[THE STAGS] Lloyd Manuel (gtr) Pete McKinnon (bs) Dan Hunt (organ) Norm Stacey (drms)
[THE SHOCKERS] Keith Foreman (vcls) Mike Wilson (gtr) Carl Erickson (bs) Ed Coppard (keyb'ds) Dave Jonsson (drms, vcls)
[NOCTURNALS] Ron Henschel (gtr) Wayne Evans (bs) Chad Thorp (organ) Roger Skinner (sax) Carl Erickson (sax) Bill McBeth (drms, lead vcls)
Trevor McNamara's career started in the Adelaide group 5 Sided Circle. During that time he also wrote "H.M.S. Buffalo", picked up by psychedelic band Inside Looking Out for their last 45. He left after two years with and formed Musick Express. Their only single "Jackie's Thing/How Does Paternity Suit You" reached the Top 100 in 1970 but they quit soon afterwards. "Jackie's Thing" can also be heard on the excellent Incredible Sound Show Stories #13 compilation. He then recorded enough material for a solo album, which was finally released in 1971 on the little Nationwide label and was highly touted by those who have heard it. Musically speaking not much was heard about him since. As far as I understood he changed his instruments with brushes and found fulfillment in paintings but in 2010 he reformed his first band 5 Sided Circle for a few gigs. World in Sound re-issued his album in 2001 (World in Sound WIS 1009) with two bonus tracks from his lone single. The music is a mishmash of different styles, ranging from Psychedelic (Silver/Yeah Captain) to Folk/Singer/Songwriter (The Gun/P.I.P./Living On A Strain) or Prog influenced Pop/Rock (Now/Digging). It seems he didn't know in which direction he should go and it's no wonder that Trevor McNamara itself didn't like "Yeah Captain". To my ears it's not that bad and there are some pleasant cuts on the album but it's also not fully convincing and especially no lost gem.
Tracklist: - Silver - Waking - The Gun - 15 - Jackie's Thing [From The Pop Opera 'Piano'] - Joseph Blackwell - Riding To Athenbury - Yeah Captain, Pt. 1 - Now - P.I.P. - Cavalier - Digging - I'm Very Sane Thank You - Black Girl - Sinners - Living On A Strain - Yeah Captain, Pt. 2 - Morocco [bonus] - Country Corn [bonus] Personnel: Trevor McNamara (bs, cello, drms, flute, gtr, keyb'ds, sax, vcls) Origin: Adelaide (South Australia)
Rock; Christianity; guitars; church... in the 21st century these words don't seem odd together. But, in 1961 rock meant "devil music" and church meant "boring". The Pilgrims changed all that. Raise among the world-war bombsites of southeast London, the five "Pilgrims" were part of the first generation to be called "teenagers". The swinging sixties had started and it was not cool to be Christian. These full-blooded teenagers with a love for rock music became christians but opted not to conform. They put faith and rock together and changed christian music for good. The Pilgrims were the first wholly electric Christian rock group and shocked the churches of their day. Later bands broke through into mainstream recording, radio and TV, but The Pilgrims were breaking traditions and taboos. After playing at a church service attended by Princess Margaret the group were condemned on national radio by a Countess (no less!). But The Pilgrims didn't want upper class approval; they spoke to their own generation in a language they understood. The group played in churches, to be sure, but their favourite audiences were in beat clubs and dives where nobody was pretending to be holy. When you listen to The Pilgrims you can sense the rawness and enthusiasm of a newfound faith; nut the music is polished and professional. They put heart and soul into their playing and wanted to be the best. At a 1966 concert in a 2,500-seat auditorium opposite Westminster Abbey they were feted as "not only the best, but also the LOUDEST Christian group". [..] taken from the liner notes
The Pilgrims have all my sympathy. Except for the lyrics you would'nt believe that they came from the Christian environment. The music leans towards early UK R&B/Beat but with a sound that is closer to american garage bands. Not every track on this CD (LRL 001 / 2004) is a winner but songs like "Hey You", "Thank You Lord" or "There's Something In Your Life" will satisfy every garage-head and lovers of raw and wild Beat. On this occasion I would like to recommend you the highly enjoyable UK Xian Beat compilation on the excellentRoots And Traces: Spurensicherungblogspot.
Tracklist: - Hey You! - Thank You Lord - Heaven's The Place For Me • Version 2 - There's Someone In Your Life - I Didn't Care - Think It Over • Version 2 - Wait And See - Do You Believe In God? - Heard It All Before - Any Time Of The Day - Who's Your Lord? - I Know I'm Going To Heaven - He Wants You - I Don't Need You - What Are You Doing With Your Life? - Think Of God's Love - I Praise The Lord - Don't You Think It's Time - Heaven's The Place For Me • Version 1 - I Found A Special Friend - Think It Over • Version 1 Personnel: Derrick Phillips (rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABC] Don Sanders (lead gtr, bs) [ABCD] Ian Wilkie (drms, vcls) [ABCD] John Hubbard (bs, vcls) [AB] Chris King (vcls) [A] Tony Goodman (vcls, lead gtr, hrmnca) [BCD] Band origin: London
Discographie: 45's: 1. Heaven's The Place For Me/Think Of God's Love (Herald 2416) 1964
The third "Love-In" volume keeps the good standard of the previous releases. That means unknown and (still) uncompiled music from the Californian sixties. Bands like Canterbury Fair, Morning Glory or Peppermint Trolley Co. are no unknowns for the '60s connoisseur and you will also get your kicks with Joyride's excellent cover of The Doors' "Crystal Ship", the unusual but great "We Chose To Walk" by Zone 26 or Earth Island's non-album track "Doomsday Afternoon". Info on some bands is still hard to find but Jonathan Cole was the writer for Joyrides third and last single "Land of Rypap Papyr" and also responsible for Sound Sandwich's excellent "Apothecary Dream". Maybe there's a link betweens these two bands but it's just a guess. A nice and pleasant collection with 25 titles this is recommended for "Soft Sounds For Gentle People" addicts.
Tracklist: 1. Aggregation – Maharishi taken from the single Sunshine Superman/Maharishi (LHI 1209) 1968 Line-up: LeWayne Braun (lead gtr, vcls), Dale Burt (piano, organ, vcls), Bayard Gregory (drms, timpani, bongos, tambourine, vcls), Leo Potts (flute, clarinet, sax, recorder, kazoo, vcls), Lemoyne Taylor (flute, clarinet, sax, slide whistle, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 2. Joyride – Crystal Ship taken from the single The Crystal Ship/Coming Soon (World Pacific 77877) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 3. Thorinshield – Life Is A Dream taken from the single The Best Of It/Life Is A Dream (Philips 40492) 1967 Line-up: James Smith (gtr, vcls), Bobby Ray (bs, vcls), Terry Hand (drms, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 4. Chocolate Tunnel - Ostrich People taken from the single Highly Successful Young Rupert White/Ostrich People (In-Sound 403/Era 3185) 1967 Line-up incl.: Kenny Johnson (lead gtr, vcls), Jerry Ritchie (bs). Band origin: Bakersfield (California) 5. Zone 26 – Chose To Walk taken from the single Chose To Walk/When The World Turns Cold (World Pacific 77896) 1967 Line-up incl.: Brian Monsour (keyb'ds). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 6. Power – She Is The Color taken from the single Children Ask [If He Is Dead]/She Is The Color (Showplace WS 218/MGM K 13815) 1967 Line-up: Robin Johnston (lead gtr, vcls), John Romero (lead vcls, gtr), Joe Romero (bs, vcls), Jim Sanchez (keyb'ds, vcls), Joe Rodriguez (drms, vcls). Band origin: Torrance/Hawthorne (California) 7. Earth Island – Doomsday Afternoon taken from the single Doomsday Afternoon/Tuesday Afternoon (Philips DJP 62 40673) 1970 Line-up: Bruce Doshier (lead gtr, flute, vcls), Bill Liska (gtr, vcls), Richard Vanderwoerdt (gtr, keyb'ds, vcls), Nicholas Rush (drms, vcls). Band origin: Canada → Los Angeles (California) 8. Morning Glory – I See A Light taken from the single Need Someone/I See A Light (Fontana 1613) 1968 Line-up: Gini Graybeal (lead vcls, cymbals, tamb), Bob Bohanna (bs, gtr, vcls), Larry Gerughty (organ, piano, harpsichord, vcls), Allen Wehr (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California) 9. Elfstone - Beat The Clock taken from the single Louisiana Teardrops/Beat The Clock (World Pacific 77912) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 10. Canterbury Fair – Days I Love taken from the single Song On A May Morning/Days I Love (Koala 8081) 1968 Line-up: Phillip Hollingsworth (bs, keyb'ds, vcls), John Hollingsworth (keyb'ds, vcls), Joe Lo Freso (keyb'ds), Sean Corsaro (drms). Band origin: Fresno (California) 11. Lewis & Clarke Expedition – Daddy's Plastic Child taken from the single Daddy's Plastic Child/Gypsy Song Man (Colgems 1028) 1968 Line-up: Ken Bloom (lead gtr, autoharp, clarinet, sax, flute, organ), Boomer Clarke [aka Owen Castleman] (gtr, perc, vcls), Travis Lewis [aka Michael Martin Murphy] (gtr, hrmnca, vcls), John London (gtr, bs, perc), Johnny Raines (drms, perc). Band origin: Dallas (Texas) 12. Gale Garnett - I Make Him Fly taken from the single The Sun Is Gray/I Make Him Fly (RCA 47-9020) 1967 Line-up incl.: Gale Zoë Garnett (vcls), Mike Deasy (gtr), Van Dyke Parks (keyb'ds), Earl Palmer (drms). Origin: Los Angeles (California) 13. Rejoice – Golden Gate Park taken from the single Golden Gate Park/Sonora (Dunhill D-4158) 1968 Line-up incl.: Tom Brown (vcls), Nancy Brown (vcls), Michael Patrick Moore (drms). Additional musicians: Hal Blaine (drms), Joe Osborne (bs), Larry Knechtel (piano). Band origin: Marin County (California) 14. Looking Glass - If I Never Love Again taken from the single Silver And Sunshine [How Wonderful Is Our Love]/If I Never Love Again (Valiant 750) 1967 Line-up: Ron Andre (vcls), Bonnie Andre [aka Bonnie Donato] (vcls), Linda Donato (vcls). Band origin: Sacramento (California) 15. Peppermint Trolley Co. - It's A Lazy Summer Day taken fromthe singleIt's A Lazy Summer Day/Blue Eyes (Acta 809) 1967 Line-up: Danny Faragher (vcls, clavinet, organ, trombone, piano, perc), Jimmy Faragher (vcls, bs, perc), Casey Cunningham (drms, perc). Additional musician: James Fleming Rasmussen (gtr). Band origin: Redlands (California) 16. Knack – Pretty Daisy taken from the single Pretty Daisy/Banana Man (Capitol 5940) 1967 Line-up: Mike Chain (lead vcls, gtr), Dink Kaplan (gtr), Larry Gould (bs, vcls), Pug Baker (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 17. Family Album – Get Together taken from the single Get Together/Mind Beside Mine (December 875) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 18. Chris & Craig – I Need You taken from the single Isha/I Need You (Capitol 5694) 1966 Line-up incl.: Craig Smith (gtr, vcls), Chris Ducey (gtr, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 19. Zone 26 – When The World Turns Cold See Track 5 20. Carmel Covered Popcorn – Suzie Q taken from the single Suzie Q/Looking For A Place (Vistone 2055) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 21. People – Riding High taken from the single Organ Grinder/Riding High (Capitol 5920) 1967 Line-up: Gene Mason (vcls), Larry Norman (vcls), Jeoff Levin (gtr), Robb Levin (bs), Albert Ribisi (organ), Denny Fridkin (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California) 22. Yankee Dollar – Mucky Truckee River taken from the single Mucky Truckee River/Reflections Of A Shattered Mind (Dot 17213) 1969 Line-up: Liza Gonzales (vcls), Dave Riordan (vcls), Greg Likins (gtr), Bill Reynolds (bs), Bill Masuda (organ), Nick Alexander (drms). Band origin: San Luis Obispo (California) 23. Knack - Banana Man See Track 16 24. Meditations – Transcendental Meditation taken from the single Transcendental Meditation/Beautiful Experience (World Pacific 77876) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 25. Aggregation – Sunshine Superman See Track 1
The Wild Cherries started as a R&B combo in 1964. In their early days they often shared the gigs with The Purple Hearts. After a radical line-up change only founding member Les Gilbert remained and took over the keyboards. Lead guitarist Lobby Loyde (aka Barry Lyde) came from the Purple Hearts and as a five piece they released their first two singles in 1967. With new bass player John Phillips two more 45's followed a year later. The band went through a series of personnel changes and at the end of 1969 they finally call it quits. Lobby Loyde reformed the band as a power trio in 1971 but after a lone single the band finally falling apart. Half A Cow Records, who was responsible for the great Purple Hearts release "Benzedrine Beat", put out a complete discography (except the '71 recordings) of the Wild Cherries material (Half A Cow HAC 113 / 2007). Sad to say that "That's Life" didn't live up to my expectations. It is said that they were an adventurous and breathtaking live-band but on their recordings it seems that they couldn't unlock the handbrake. The strangely titled debut "Krome Plated Yabby" is not bad but nothing exceptional. The follow-up "That's Life" is far better and like its predecessor very much in the Cream style. The A-side of their third single "Gotta Stop Lying" is the best song to my ears and not unlike british psych-influenced Freak Beat. The 16 unreleased tracks, nine of them live, are more thrilling than their official releases. Especially their version of "Tobacco Road" is rough-as-guts and the live-version of "Without You" lives up for the name "Wild" Cherries. The CD comes with a 36 booklet and extensive liner notes.
Tracklist: - Krome Plated Yabby - Everything I Do Is Wrong - That's Life - Try Me (I'm Not as Bad as You Think) - Gotta Stop Lying - Time Killer - I Don't Care - Theme for a Merry-Go-Round - Without You - Coming Home Baby - Tobacco Road - Worried Blues - You Don't Love Me - Get Out of My Life - Bye Bye Bird - Without You [version 2] • live - I'm Your Kingpin • live - Mad Man Blues • live - Tobacco Road • live - Parchman Farm • live - Smokestack Lightning • live - My Generation • live - Ain't Got You • live - Baby Please Don't Go • live Personnel: John Bastow (vcls, hrmnca) [AB] Malcolm McGee (lead gtr, vcls) [AB] Rob Lovett (rhythm gtr, vcls) [AB] Les Gilbert (bs, organ) [ABCD] Geoff Hales (drms) [A] Kevin Murphy (drms) [B] Danny Robinson (vcls) [CD] Lobby Loyde (lead gtr) [CDEG] Peter Eddy (bs) [C] Keith Barber (drms) [CD] John Phillips (bs) [D] Matt Taylor (vcls) [E] Barry Sullivan (lead gtr, rhythm gtr, bs) [EF] Steve Pristash (bs) [EF] Barry Harvey (drms) [E] Brian Wilson (lead vcls) [F] Tim Piper (gtr) [F] Teddy Toi (bs) [G] Johnny Dick (drms) [G] Band origin: Melbourne (Victoria/Australia)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (C) Krome Plated Yabby/Everything I Do Is Wrong (Festival FK 1879) 1967 2. (C) That's Life/Try Me (Festival FK 2052) 1967 3. (D) Gotta Stop Lying/Time Killer (Festival FK 2258) 1968 4. (D) I Don't Care/Theme For A Merry Go Round (Festival FK 2535) 1968 5. (G) I Am The Sea (Stop Killing Me)/Daily Planet (Havoc H 1006) 1971
E.P.'s: 1. (C) Krome Plated Yabby (Festival FX 11422) 1967
From Chicago/Illinois, the Saturday's Children were a pleasant pop group, clearly influenced by The Beatles' "Rubber Soul" era. They released three singles on the Dunwich label and the unreleased "A Man With Money" appeared later on the retrospective compilation Early Chicago in 1971. These eight tracks are from the Sundazed double E.P. (Sundazed SEP-2 126 / 1997) and contains all their material.
Tracklist: - You Don't Know Better - Born On Saturday - I Hardly Know Her - Leave That Baby Alone - A Man With Money - Tomorrow Is Her Name - Christmas Sounds - Deck Five Personnel: Ron Holder (gtr, vcls) Dave Carter (gtr) Jeff Boyan (bs, vcls) Rick Goettler (organ) George Paluch (drms) Band origin: Chicago (Illinois/US)
Discographie: 45's: 1. You Don't Know Better/Born On Saturday (Dunwich 139) 1966 2. Deck Five/Christmas Sounds (Dunwich 144) 1966 3. Leave That Baby Alone/I Hardly Know Her (Dunwich 156) 1967
Along with Pebbles Vol. 19 and the two Copenhagen Beat compilations this is one of the better offerings of '60s Garage/R&B/Beat music from Denmark (Jacks Beat 5006 / 2001). Frost Records later came up with a complete label-anthology with over 250 songs that contains 10 percent good and 90 percent average or at worst rubbish tracks. Not so with this release which is a best of Jack's Beat Records, a label led by Jack Fridthjorf.
Tracklist: 1. Jack & The Outlaws - Step Into My Heart taken from the single Step Into My Heart/I Need A Girl (Jacks Beat BR 1002) 1965 Line-up incl.: Jack Fridthjorf (vcls) Band origin: Nykøbing Mors (Nordjylland/Denmark) 2. Victors - Cara-Lin taken from the single Cara-Lin/Rhythm Of Love (Jacks Beat Records BR 1012) 1966 Line-up: Torkil Brandes (lead vcls), Erik Degn-Christensen (lead gtr), Ruddy Hansen (rhythm gtr), Jørn Clausen (bs), Jan Krarup (drms). Band origin: Aarhus (Midtjylland/Denmark) 3. Les Candidates - I'll Go Now taken from the single I'll Go Now/Den røde Baron (Jacks Beat BR 1039) 1967 Line-up: Kurt Jakobsen (lead vcls, bs), Mogens Sigård (lead gtr, vcls), Erik Gravengård (rhythm gtr, vcls), Allan Pedersen (drms). Band origin: Esbjerk (Syddanmark/Denmark) 4. Some Kind - En Skillingsvise taken from the single Can't Explain/En Skillingsvise (Jacks Beat BR 1035) 1967 Line-up: Niels Grejs Nielsen (lead vcls, lead gtr), Leif P. Hansen (bs), Finn Vestergaard Larsen (rhythm gtr, vcls), Ole Nygaard (drms). Band origin: Odense (Syddanmark/Denmark) 5. Sioux - Long Tall Shorty taken from the V.A.-Album Top Hits (Jacks Beat BRLP 5001) 1965 Line-up: Herbert Wakefield (lead vcls, rhythm gtr), Torben Søgård Jensen (lead gtr), Ole Madsen (bs), Jan Kildebogaard (drms). Band origin: Børkop (Syddanmark/Denmark) 6. Jack & The Bulwers - The Way It Feels taken from the single The Way It Feels/Det Er Mig (Jacks Beat BR 1069) 1968 Line-up: Jack Fridthjorf (vcls), Lars Sørensen (lead gtr), Eigil Knudsen (rhythm gtr, vcls), Jan Baad (bs, vcls), Keld Sørensen (drms). Band origin: Silkeborg (Midtjylland/Denmark) 7. All Rounds - I Love You taken from the E.P. Everybody/Feel Like Crying/What I See/I Love You (Jacks Beat BR 1005) 1965 Line-up: Kaj Kjærgård (lead vcls), Hans Christian Fredborg (lead gtr), Bent Ove Sørensen (rhythm gtr), Flemming Jensen (bs), Hugo Christensen (drms). Band origin: Hjørring (Nordjylland/Denmark) 8. Poisons - Call My Name taken from the single Call My Name/Reach Out I'll Be There (Jacks Beat BR 1051) 1967 Line-up: Henning Stærk Jacobsen (lead vcls), Johnny Thingsager Madsen (lead gtr), Poul Svane (rhythm gtr, organ), Erik Boas Pedersen (bs, vcls), Jørgen Peter Jørgensen (drms). Band origin: Holstebro (Midtjylland/Denmark) 9. Group Seven - Funny Mae taken from the Mini-album Group Seven (Jacks Beat Records BR 1029) 1966 Line-up: Benny "Dean" Ranch Andersen (lead vcls), Jørgen Quist (lead gtr), Chris Weile (rhythm gtr), Bent Olufsen (bs), Kurt Vittrup (drms). Band origin: Randers (Midtjylland/Denmark) 10. Mat's - It's Not True taken from the single Rescue Me/It's Not True (Jacks Beat Records BR 1017) 1966 Line-up: Mads Hove Jeppesen (lead gtr), Svend Erik Sørensen (rhythm gtr, vcls), Poul "Noller" Hwass Hansen (bs), Bent Pedersen (drms). Band origin: Thisted (Nordjylland/Denmark) 11. All Rounds - Everybody See Track 7 12. Jack & The Outlaws - I Need A Girl See Track 1 13. Gipsies - Ain't That A Shame taken from the single Ain't That A Shame/Loosers (Jacks Beat Records BR 1018) 1966 Line-up: Ernst Lillienskjorld Larsen (lead gtr, vcls), Carsten Schøn (rhythm gtr), Jan Englund Norré (gtr, vcls), Ole Borregaard (bs), Carl Gunnar Skadelund (drms). Band origin: Aalborg (Nordjylland/Denmark) 14. Black Four - Black Devil taken from the V.A.-Album Top Hits (Jacks Beat BRLP 5001) 1965 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Horsens (Midtjylland/Denmark) 15. Mad Sound - To Masturbate taken from the single To Masturbate/Summertime (Jacks Beat Records BR 1080) 1968 Line-up: Finn Hansen (lead vcls), Poul Werner Laursen (lead gtr), Peter Lange Møller (rhythm gtr, vcls), Per Hugo Nielsen (bs), Benny Elmstrøm Lund (drms). Band origin: Grenå (Midtjylland/Denmark) 16. Jack - Protest taken from the single Trains/Someone/Protest (Jacks Beat BR 1009) 1966 Line-up/Band origin: See Track 1
An influential band from Canterbury/Kent that underwent a fluctuate line-up and served as a stepping stone for most of the members to the better known Soft Machine and Caravan. The Wilde Flowers never made an official release up to 1994 as Voiceprint put out a collection of demos from 1965-69 (Voiceprint VP 123 CD). The majority of the tracks were recorded 65/66 and although the instrumentation is in the typical Beatsound, Robert Wyatt's and Kevin Ayers' vocal treatments had already that special Canterbury-style (it's up to you if you like it or not). I must admit that this release is more an artefact and rather of historical interest. There are a few notable songs, though: "Those Words They Say" and "Time After Time" get the full Beat treatment, "Impotence" has all the indications for the later Soft Machine adventures while the best and one of their earliest songs "He's Bad For You" is a haunting R&B ballad that would had fitted perfectly on a Captain Beefheart setlist.
Tracklist: - Impotence (1969) - Those Words They Say (1966) - Memories (1966) - Don't Try To Change Me (1965) - Parchman Farm (1965) - Almost Grown (1965) - She's Gone (1965) - Slow Walkin' Talk (1965) - He's Bad For You (1965) - It's What I Feel [A Certain Kind] (1965) - Memories [Instrumental] (1965) - Never Leave Me (1966) - Time After Time (1966) - Just Where I Want (1966) - No Game When You Lose (1966) - Impotence (1966) - Why Do You Care (1968) - The Pieman Cometh (1968) - Summer Spirit (1968) - She Love To Hurt (1969) - The Big Show (1969) - Memories (1969) Personnel: Graham Flight (vcls) [A] Brian Hopper (gtr, sax) [ABCDE] Hugh Hopper (bs) [ABCD] Richard Sinclair (gtr) [AB] Robert Wyatt (drms) [ABC] Kevin Ayers (vcls) [B] Richard Coughlan (drms) [CDE] Pye Hastings (gtr, sax) [CDE] Dave Lawrence (bs, vcls) [CDE] Dave Sinclair (keyb'ds) [E] Band origin: Canterbury (Kent/UK)
A band from Portugal with a strong Moody Blues influence. Their output spans nearly a dozen Singles/EPs and two albums, the first in the soft-rock/pleasant psych mould, the latter with a more symphonic Prog vibe (I would recommend the first). This release (World Psychedelia WPC 68490 / 2005) contains the best from their 45's and if you like the music of their english contemporaries then you will be rightly served here. Not every track is a winner but songs like "Os Faunos", "Balada Para D. Inês", "Dona Vitória" and especially "Ode To The Beatles" are quite worthwhile.
Tracklist: - A Lenda De El-Rei D. Sebastião
- Os Faunos
- Gente
- Balada Para D. Inês
- Partindo-Se
- Dona Vitória
- Nas Terras Do Fim Do Mundo
- Meu Irmão
- Domingo Em Bidonville
- João Nada
- As Trovas Do Vento Que Passa
- Epílogo
- Back To The Country
- Ode To The Beatles
- Uma Nova Maneira De Encarar O Mundo
Personnel: António Moniz Pereira (gtr) [ABCDE]
Jorge Moniz Pereira (bs) [A]
José Cid (keyb'ds, vcls) [ABCDE]
Miguel Artur da Silveira (drms) [ABCD]
Mário Rui Terra (bs) [B]
Tózé Brito (bs) [CDE]
Mike Seargent (gtr) [E]
Guilherme Inês (drms) [E] Band origin: Estoril (Portugal)
Discographie: Albums:
1. (B) Quarteto 1111 (Columbia 8E 062-40037) 1970
2. (E) Onde, Quando, Como, Porquê Cantamos Pessoas Vivas
(Decca SLPDP 5016) 1974
45's:
1. (A) Meu Irmão/Ababilah (Columbia/EMI ) 1968
2. (B) Nas Terras Do Fim Do Mundo/Bissaide
(Columbia/EMI 45 ML 245) 1969
3. (B) Génese/Os Monstros Sagrados
(Columbia/EMI 8 E 006-40035 M) 1969
4. (B) Todo O Mundo E Ninguém/É Tempo De Pensar Em Termos
De Futuro (Columbia 8E 006-40080 M) 1970
5. (D) Back To The Country/Everybody Needs Love, Peace
And Food (Columbia 8E 006-40088 M) 1970
6. (D) Ode To The Beatles/1111
(Columbia 8E 006-40140) 1971
7. (D) Sabor A Povo/Uma Nova Maneira De Encarar O Mundo
(Columbia 8E 006-40250) 1972
E.P.'s:
1. (A) A Lenda de El-Rei D. Sebastião/Os Faunos/
Fantasma «POP»/Gente (Columbia/EMI SLEM 2289) 1967
2. (A) Balada Para D. Inês/Partindo-se/
Vale da Ilusão/Dragão (Columbia/EMI SLEM 2304) 1968
3. (B) Guarda Nocturno/Perspectiva/Tempo de Inocência/
Dona Vitória (Columbia/EMI SLEM 2325) 1968
4. (B) João Nada/Estrada Para A Minha Aldeia/Domingo Em
Bidonville/Epílogo (Columbia/EMI E 016-40059) 1970
More psychedelic and pop sounds from the Californian underground '60s scene. In addition to better known groups such as The Travel Agency, Gale Garnett & The Gentle Reign, Damon or the excellent Stone Country there are some great songs from The Californians, Hinge, Waphphle or Initial Shock.
Tracklist: 1. Travel Agency - What's A Man taken from the single What's A Man/She Understands (Viva 637) 1969 Line-up incl.: Steve Haehl (lead gtr, vcls), Frank Lupica (drms), Michael S. Aydelotte. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 2. Gale Garnett And The Gentle Reign - Breaking Through taken from the single Breaking Through/Fall In Love Again (Columbia 44479) 1969 Line-up: Gale Garnett (lead vcls), Bruce Horiuchi (lead gtr, kazoo), Bob Ingram (gtr), Tony Hill (keyb'ds), Michael Aragon (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 3. The Californians - Nausea Beast taken from the single Glass Disguise/Nausea Beast (Crazy Horse 1318) 1969 Line-up incl.: Richard Bastrup (gtr), Jim Ferguson (gtr), Curt Pickelle (bs), Doug Brown (sax, keyb'ds), Steve Schmit (drms). Band origin: Anaheim (California/US) 4. Damon - Oh What A Good Boy Am I taken from the single Song Of A Gypsy/Oh, What A Good Boy Am I (Ankh 1) 1969 Line-up incl.: Damon [real name David Del Conte] (vcls, gtr). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 5. Stone Country - Love Psalm taken from the single Love Psalm/Magnolias (RCA 47-9472) 1968 Line-up: Steve Young (lead gtr, vcls), Doug Brooks (rhythm gtr, vcls), Richard Lockmiller (gtr), Dann Barry (bs, vcls), Don Beck (banjo), Dennis Conway (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 6. Hinge - Now Let Me Love You taken from the single Now Let Me Love You/I'll Pretend (Highland 1194) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 7. Stained Glass – Lonely [demo / 1966] Line-up: Bob Rominger (gtr), Jim McPherson (bs, vcls), Dennis Carrasco (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California/US) 8. Boston Tea Party - Don't Leave Me Alone taken from the single Is It Love/Don't Leave Me Alone (Fona 311) 1967 Line-up: Travis Fields (vcls), Mike Stevens (lead gtr), Richard de Perna (bs), Robert de Perna (organ), Dave Novogroski (drms). Band origin: Burbank (California/US) 9. Waphphle - Going Down taken from the single Goin' Down/I Want You (Elektra 45616) 1967 Line-up: Glenn Strawn (lead gtr), Brian Barmby (bs), Jack Giere (vcls, keyb'ds), Rick Jagla (drms). Band origin: Sacramento (California/US) 10. Unwritten Law - Action Speaks Louder taken from the single This Whole World Is Blind/Action Speaks Louder (Strata 106) 197? Line-up incl.: Luther Burbank (vcls, gtr). Band origin: Burlingame (California/US) 11. Initial Shock – You've Been A Long Time Comin' taken from the single You've Been A Long Time Comin'/I Once Asked (BFD 2022) 1967 Line-up: Mojo Collins (gtr, organ, vcls), George Wallace (lead gtr), Steve Garr (bs), Brian Knaff (drms). Band origin: Missoula (Montana) → San Francisco (California/US) 12. Ferguson Tractor - Desperation Blues taken from the single 12 O'Clock High/Desperation Blues (MTA 169) 1969 Line-up incl.: D. Ferguson. Band origin: California 13. Mount Rushmore – Rough Rider [demo / 1967] Line-up: Glen Smith (vcls), Mike Bolan (lead gtr), Terry Kimball (bs), Travis Fullerton (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 14. Stone Country - Life Stands Daring Me taken from the single Life Stands Daring Me/Time Isn't There [Anymore] (RCA 47-9301) 1967 Line-up/Band origin: See Track 5 15. Californians - Glass Disguise See Track 3 16. Laughing Wind – The Bells taken from the single John Works Hard/The Bells (Tower 315) 1967 Line-up: Dan Harris (gtr, vcls), Shaun Harris (gtr, bs, vcls), Michael Lloyd (keyb'ds, gtr, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 17. Thorinshield - Family Of Man taken from the single Family Of Man/Lonely Mountain Again (Philips 40521) 1968 Line-up: James Smith (gtr, vcls), Bobby Ray (bs, vcls), Terry Hand (drms, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 18. Bethlehem Exit - Walk Me Out taken from the single Walk Me Out/Blues Concerning My Girl (Jabberwock 110) 1966 Line-up: John Tomasi (lead vcls, harp), Pete Sultzbach (gtr), Dave Wilkie (bs), Chris Ingstrom (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 19. Travel Agency - She Understands See Track 1 20. nePenthe - Good Morning Baby taken from the single Good Morning Baby/Slow It Down (Direction D-4003) 1970 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 21. Peter Fonda - Catch The Wind taken from the single November Nights/Catch The Wind (Chisa 004) 1967 Line-up incl.: Peter Fonda (vcls), Hugh Masekela (trumpet). Origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 22. California Bear - Hand My Head taken from the single Hand My Head/Virgin Dreams (M&H MH-101) 1969 Line-up incl.: Bruce Terry. Band origin: Riverside (California/US) 23. Stone Country - Time Isn't There (Anymore) See Track 14 24. Instant Ralston – Mariposa taken from the single Mariposa/Rock And Mole (Scepter 12338) 1971 Line-up incl.: Gerry Ralston (vcls). Band origin: California 25. Randy S & The Westwood Paper - Haight Ashbury Blues taken from the single Haight Ashbury Blues/ Haight Ashbury Blues instrumental
(American Gramophone 6-667) 1967 Line-up incl.: Randy Sparks. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 26. Crystal Fountain – Sensations taken from the single The Night Behind Us/Sensations (acetate) 1967 Line-up incl.: Wendy Flower (lead vcls), Bonnie Flower (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US)
Rare, original and hard to get music is the demand of that blog here. If a record is still available through mailorders I won't post it (but I make exceptions if I get the feeling the dealers force up the prices). Enjoy the music and... ...leave comments (or leave me alone).
A harmony-pop outfit from London, they started as The West Coast Consortium. With their high-pitched falsetto vocals they are nothing for the hard-psych connoisseur. Their first single didn't make any impression and for some reason they changed their name for the second 45 to Robbie (maybe to establish their lead singer Robbie Fair as a solo act). Again success eluded them, although it was quite good. The follow-up "Colour Sergeant Lilywhite" was perhaps their most psychedelic and one of their best outings. Soon after they added organist Bill Mangham to their line-up and shortened their name to Consortium. The first record they did under the new moniker was "All The Love In The World". It was their only hit, reaching #22 in the UK charts. Not a bad song, but the backings are totally annoying. They released five more singles, all in the same style. Particularly "Day The Train Never Came", "I Don't Want Her Any More" and "The House Upon The Hill" are well worth hearing. They finally split around 1975 after RCA cancelled a record deal for an LP. At this time only Robbie Fair, now Robbie Legat, was the only remaining original member. The recordings were finally released as "Rebirth" on Angel Air in 2006 and more or less in the Pop-Rock vein. In 2003 Castle (Castle Music CMRCD 786) released "Looking Back", a 27 track CD, including all the singles (except the last) plus 11 unreleased tracks. There's another CD on Wooden Hill called "Mr. Umbrella Man" with more unreleased stuff.
