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]
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
This nice and gentle folk album with some christian vibes was self released by Chris Dunn, Chris Smith and Lee Paul. The instrumentation is exclusively accoustic, no percussion, just guitar, bass and at times banjo and piano. Side 1 contains original material with the strong opener followed by "Thank You", an upbeat number with successful vocal harmonies. The other highlight is the delicate "Wish You Were Here" that nearly touches the Simon & Garfunkel territory (Thankfully they get a grip on themselves and instead of a corny result it turned out as a laid-back melancholic number). The flip side consists throughout of covers. Noteworthy is their version of CSN's "Helplessly Hoping" and Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter". I can't think what came over these guys for doing "This Guy's In Love With You" but this is one of the few lowpoints. On balance not a record to freak you out but something special for a pleasant evening.
Tracklist: - Flying Bird - Thank You - The Pink Song - Wish You Were Here - Once - Helplessly Hoping - Lalena - If I Were A Carpenter - California Dreamin' - This Guy's In Love With You - Samson Personnel: Chris Dunn Chris Smith Lee Paul [Reid Lancaster (bs)] Band origin: US
Discographie: Albums: 1. Chris, Chris & Lee (CC & L Records) 1970
After the split of Las Antorchas Victor Motta Aviles and band mate Omar Cortes Gaviño teamed up with Victor's brother Guillermo and continued as Antorcha. They played a sort of Acid-Rock but developed a style of their own. Actually not my kind of music but I like their anarchistic attitude and they receive extra points for the demented sound on few of their tracks. After a handful of E.P.'s they finally released an album in 1976. Shortly after they called it quits and 30 years later VAM Records (VAM 001-CD / 2006) put out a CD with all the tracks from their 45's plus "Mira" from their cassette-only release from 1976.
Tracklist: - Canción No. 1 - Nada - Amiga - En El Jardín Del Edén - Grass - Going Down - La Tierra - Crisalida - Sodomáquina - Inconclusa - Mira - Bracero - Intento No. 2 - Quiero Vivir Personnel: Omar Cortes Gaviño (bs, vcls) [ABC] Victor Manuel Motta Aviles (keyb'ds, rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABC] Guillermo Motta Aviles (keyb'ds, lead gtr, vcls) [ABC] Mario Salazar Hernández (organ, vcls) [B] Antonio Salcedo (drms, vcls) [C] Band origin: Mexico City (Mexico)
From Toronto, Ontario. The stand-out track on their album is Sunday Love, which ranges from soft to strident keyboard-dominated psychedelia. Crying Into The Deep Lake is also excellent, a superb slice of psychedelia with a haunting keyboard intro. The remainder of the album pales into insignificance alongside these two tracks, but is nonetheless worth obtaining. Both their 45s were issued in black and white picture sleeves. The first is a wild non-LP punker, written by Jed MacKay and Rick McKim, with particularly eerie lyrics and frantic delivery. MacKay and McKim also produced the Underworld's single Go Away, and wrote the flip side Bound. (taken from "Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares")
This re-issue (Void 18 / 2001) came with a bonus 45 (which was a reprint of their first single). More info on the Garagehangover site.
Tracklist: - You Don't Notice The Time You Waste - Make Some Use Of Your Friends - Crying Into The Deep Lake - Roll My Own - Self Confessed Lover - If Only - You Brought Me Back To My Senses - Sunday Love - Feel It [Bonus] - (I Need Some Kind Of) Definite Commitment (Baby) [Bonus] Personnel: Wayne Roworth (gtr) Norm White (gtr) Rick Aston (bs, vcls) Jed MacKay (organ, piano, lead vcls) Rick McKim (drms) Band origin: Toronto (Ontario/Canada)
Discographie: Albums: 1. It's All Meat (Columbia ELS-374) 1970
45's: 1. Feel It/[I Need Some Kind Of] Definite Commitment [Baby] (Columbia C4-2910) 1969 2. You Don't Notice The Time You Waste/If Only (Columbia C4-2930) 1969
Not surprisingly, the debut solo album by the major creative force behind the group Orange Bicycle is similar in nature to the latter group's music. Almost self-consciously pretty in a manner closer to art-rock (or theater music) than psychedelia (despite its richly hued multi-colored cover), the overall feel of the album, between Wilson Malone's introspective vocals and the reed- and horn- dominated accompaniments with low-volume guitar, is somewhere midway between Baroque pop and singer/songwriter-style reflection. It's all rather dark and brooding but also very beautiful in its execution, and filled with haunting melodies and rich timbres, all of this despite the narrow range and limited expressiveness of Malone's voice, which - even with all of the help he seems to get from the studio in this setting - seems to reach only about half-an-octave. You might find yourself thinking of Wil Malone as a British equivalent to David Ackles' American Gothic, which it predated by two years, but that's not a bad benchmark to have hit, even if it didn't bring Malone much success in 1970. (Bruce Eder, All Music Guide)
Wil Malone was also part of "Motherlight" who created the wonderful "Bobak, Jones and Malone" (I'm still not sure what's the album title and what's the group name). An original copy of his rare solo album sold lately at ebay for £ 1.950 (crazy). Even for a CD re-issue from Japan you have to pay on Amazon 54 Euro upwards. I've got this fine record at Soulseek and hope you enjoy it like I do (although I can't offer you the artwork).
Tracklist: - Catherine Wheel - I Could Write A Book - February Face - Love In The Afternoon - Winter In Boston - Caravan - Down Maundies - Suzy - Tale To Tell - One More Flight To Parker - At The Silver Slipper - How About Then Personnel: Wilson Malone (all instruments, vcls) Origin: London
Dreamy French-Canadian folk rock featuring the Seguin couple, with crystal clear female vocals. There is also a less expensive second LP, "L'Hymne Aux Quenuilles". (taken from "The Acid Archives")
La Nouvelle Frontière was formed in the late 1960's by the twins, Richard (guitar/vocals) and Marie-Claire (vocals) Séguin, in Montreal's eastern district of Pointe-aux-Trembles. They were joined by André Brault (bass/guitar/vocals), Denis Chenier (drums), Robert Letendre (guitar/vocals), and Normand Théroux (keyboards/vocals). They released two albums in 1970, a self-titled effort followed by "L'Hymne aux quenouilles". The music has a strong 1960's folk-rock feel to it, with only a couple of mildly experimental tracks. Although La Nouvelle Frontière performed with some high profile names such as Johnny Halliday and Little Richard, the group was largely ignored by the media due to its hippie image. The Séguins' more acoustic style also clashed with Théroux's preference for rock music, and the group disbanded in 1971.Théroux later joined progressive band Le Match, while the twins formed the folk duo (Les) Séguin, eventually pursuing successful solo careers. (taken from "ProgQuébec")
This is by request. Their first album was re-issued by Gamma (Gamma UBK-4158 / 2003). Their best track is definitely the opening cut "Pacification", a fine amalgam of Folk and Psychedelia. The remainder of the album is less interesting, sometimes a bit boring.
Tracklist: - Pacification
- Pour Un Temps De Marée
- Le Héros
- Sans Légende
- So Long Marianne
- Frontière
- Le Chemin Du Roi
- Que J'aime De T'aimer
- Alléluia, Alléluia
- Funky Monkey
Personnel: Marie-Claire Séguin (vcls)
Richard Séguin (gtr, vcls)
Robert Letendre (gtr, vcls)
André Brault (bs, gtr, vcls)
Normand Théroux (keyb'ds, vcls)
Denis Chenier (drms) Band origin: Montreal (Quebec/Canada)
Discographie: Albums:
1. La Nouvelle Frontière (Gamma GS-137) 1970
2. L'Hymne Aux Quenouilles (Gamma GS-143) 1971
This Birmingham band released only one single in 1967 and was responsible for an unreleased acetate from 1970. Their 45 on Strike Records was rather uninteresting but the eight songs for the proposed album are much better. Some of you may know their opening song "From Out Of The Sky" from "Syde Tryps Three", a great heavy psychedelic number. "Desolation City" is a cool rocker without frills and "Some Lover" as well as "Can't Stop Loving You" are nice sunshiny pop-ditties. They also did two covers in a prog style, "Meet On The Ledge" and "Day Tripper"... at least they didn't ruin the "Fairport Convention" song. The slow Blues number "Mal's Got The Blues" is not of much interest and finally on "Dreaming" the vocal arrangements are a bit embarrassing. Birdman Records (Birdman BMRD-21001 / 1999) released their whole output on CD and it starts off with two songs they recorded after their reunion in 1998. Not the best idea 'cause both tracks are extreemly (Ha!) forgettable, a sort of poor man's "Scorpions" (uhhhh!). Some band members also had "Judas Priest" connections and their drummer Pete Boot was later in "Budgie".
Tracklist: - Borderline (bonus track - 1998)
- Your Eyes (bonus track - 1998)
- From Out Of The Sky
- Desolation City
- Mal's Got He Blues
- Meet On The Ledge
- Some Lover
- Day Tripper
- Can't Stop Loving You
- Dreaming
- On The Beach (bonus track - 1967)
- Don't You Ignore Me (bonus track - 1967)
Personnel: Deryk Poynton (vcls) [AB]
Barry Civil (lead gtr, vcls) [AB]
Jeff Furnival (lead gtr) [AB]
"Wompy" Evans (bs) [AB]
Kelvin "Kelly" Payne (organ) [AB]
Dave Brooks (drms) [A]
Pete Boot (drms, perc) [B] Band origin: Birmingham (West Midlands/UK)
Discographie: Albums:
1. (B) The Extreem (8-track Acetate) 1970
45's:
1. (A) On The Beach/Don't You Ignore Me
(Strike JH 236) 1967
Hailing from Adelaide, Doug Ashdown was an extremely gifted musician as a youth and managed to travel to England and play in a rock band only to return to Adelaide and hitch up with Bobby Bright and The Bowmen. As a solo artist Ashdown rose to prominence in the mid to late sixties, playing at and developing his style through the thriving folk scene. His first album, This Is Doug Ashdown, is a fine example of this style, varying between sentimental Irish ballads, mid-tempo protest songs and fast picking hoe-downs. The relative sparsity of the album, Ashdown's guitar largely unaccompanied throughout, reveals the artist in his element, a vivacity which permeates the recording and compensates for the album's occasional awkward moments. His second album, The Real Thing, and 1968's Source represent a continuation and expansion of this sound. He progressively and successfully incorporated an element of psychedelia into his otherwise homespun style through the use of organ, strings and the occasional sound effect. Ashdown crystalized this progression on his 1970 album, The Age Of Mouse, a more mature work, diverse yet cohesive, with Ashdown utilizing a full band sound for the majority of songs for the first time. It was critically acclaimed and was accepted for world wide release by MCA. (taken from "Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares")
This fine album, that brings sometimes Gene Clarks "Echoes" to mind and contains the great stand-out psychedelic track "I've Come To Save Your World", was reissued a few years ago (Estrella Rockera ER 42115 / 2005) but it did run quickly out of stock (I saw an offer on Amazon for around 70$ for the CD!!!). Doug Ashdown has wryly commented that the prices currently being asked on the Internet are more than he was paid to record it! You can find more information about Doug Ashdown on theMILESAGOwebsite.
Tracklist: - Who Is It That Shall Come One Day - I've Come To Save Your World - The Day They Freed The Noise - California Beachhead - And The Lion Nroared - Galilee - Who Is It That Shall Come One Day - The Rage - Susan Of The Straw - I Remembered Alice - Mother Love - Holly - Have You Had A Good Day At The Bank - The Saddest Song Of All Personnel incl.: Doug Ashdown (vcls, gtr) Origin: Adelaide (South Australia)
Discographie: Albums: 1. This Is Doug Ashdown (CBS SBP 233283) 1965 2. The Real Thing (CBS SBP 233317) 1966 3. Source (CBS SBP 233516) 1968 4. The Age Of Mouse (Sweet Peach SP 12001) 1970 5. Doug Ashdown Live (Sweet Peach SPB 501) 1971 6. Leave Love Enough Alone (Billings Gate L 35294) 1974
45's: 1. Guess I'm Doing Fine/Ella Speed (CBS BA-221240) 1966 2. 5D/Something Strange (CBS BA-221597) 1969 3. Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On/Marcie (Philips BF 430) 1969 4. The Day They Freed The Noise/I've Come To Save The World (Sweet Peach SP 001) 1969 5. The Saddest Song Of All/Georgetown (Sweet Peach SP 101) 1970 6. Susan Of The Straw/And The Lion Roared (Sweet Peach SP 109) 1970 7. Willie's Shades/No Other Words (Billings Gate K-6444) 1974 8. They Always Seem To Look Like Marian/ Tomorrow Is The Last Time (Billings Gate K 5428) 1974 9. Winter In America (Leave Love Enough Alone)/Skid Row (Billings Gate K 5627) 1974 10. You're The Song/Love Ain't Worth... (Billings Gate K 5823) 1975
The January Tyme was a bit late on the scene and their sound was pretty similar to the Jefferson Airplane. What makes this an enjoyable listen is the fact that they were competent musicians (OK, this should not be necessarily a question of quality), they had the skills to write good songs and they had a good female lead singer. Their sole platter was reissued by Akarma (Akarma AK 030 / 1998).
Tracklist: - Rainy Day Feeling - The Music - Sleepy Time Baby - Ancient Babylon - Hold Me Up To The Light - Love Is Blind - Are You Laughing - Down To The River - I Could Never Love You - Take This Time - Love Surrounds Me Personnel: January Tyme (vcls, keyb'ds, perc) Anthony (Mony) Izzo (lead gtr, vcls) William Brancaccio (rhythm gtr, keyb'ds vcls) Steve Ciantro (bs) Alan Cooley (drms, vcls) Band origin: New York City (New York/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. First Time From Memphis (Enterprise ENS-1004) 1970
The Marmalade (formerly Dean Ford & The Gaylords) was a band I have never paid much interest to. They were responsible for the cover of the dull "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", which gave them their only number 1 hit. To be honest it was the only song I have heard by them. In 1999 Tenth Planet released a collection of 15 tracks entitled "Kaleidoscope [An Alternate History Of The Marmalade]" (Tenth Planet TP044) and I gave The Marmalade a second try. It was a good decision 'cause songs like "I See The Rain", "Laughing Man" or "Man In A Shop" are Psych-Pop/Freakbeat masterpieces. There are also a few weaker tracks like "Chains", "Mr. Tambourine Man" or "And Yours Is A Piece Of Mine" (plus the uninteresting Bee Gees cover "Butterfly") but the rest of the set is pretty strong, most notably the eastern-influenced "Kaleidoscope".
Tracklist: - I See The Rain - There Ain't No Use In Hangin' On - It's All Leading Up To Saturday Night - Chains - Hey Joe - Butterfly - Laughing Man - Kaleidoscope - Mr. Lion - Man In A Shop - Mr. Tambourine Man - And Yours Is A Peace Of Mind - Mess Around Personnel: Dean Ford (lead vcls) [ABCD] Junior Campbell (lead gtr) [AB] Pat Fairley (gtr) [ABC] Graham Knight (bs) [ABCD] Raymond Duffy (drms) [A] Alan Whitehead (drms) [B] Dougie Henderson (drms) [CD] Hugh Nicholson (lead gtr) [C] Joe Breen (bs) [D] Howie Casey (drms) [D] Mike Japp (gtr, keyb'ds, vcls) [D] Band origin: Glasgow (Scotland)
Discographie [up to 1976]: Albums: 1. (B) There's A Lot Of It About (CBS 63414) 1968 2. (B) Best Of The Marmalade (CBS SPB 36) 1969 3. (B) Reflections Of The Marmalade (Decca LK/SKL 5047) 1970 4. (C) Songs (Decca SKL 5111) 1971 5. (D) Our House Is Rockin' (EMI 3047) 1974
45's: 1. It's All Leading Up To Saturday Night/ Wait A Minute Baby (CBS 202340) 1966 2. Can't Stop Now/There Ain't No Use In Hangin' On (CBS 202643) 1967 3. I See The Rain/Laughing Man (CBS 2948) 1967 4. Man In A Shop/Cry (CBS 3088) 1967 5. Lovin' Things/Hey Joe (CBS 3412) 1968 6. Wait For Me Marianne/Mess Around (CBS 3708) 1968 7. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da/Chains (CBS 3892) 1968 8. Baby Make It Soon/Time Is On My Side (CBS 4287) 1969 9. Butterfly/I Shall Be Released (CBS 4615) 1969 10. Reflections Of My Life/Rollin' My Thing (Decca F 12982) 1969 11. Rainbow/The Ballad Of Cherry Flavour (Decca F 13035) 1970 12. My Little One/Is Your Life Your Own? (Decca F 13135) 1971 13. Cousin Norman/Lonely Man (Decca F 13214) 1971 14. Back On The Road/Love Is Hard To Re-Arrange (Decca F 13251) 1971 15. Radancer/Just One Woman/Sarah (Decca F 13297) 1972 16. The Wishing Well/Engine Driver (EMI 2033) 1973 17. Our House Is Rockin'/Hallelujah Freedom Blues (EMI 2071) 1973 18. Come Back Joe/Way It Is (EMI 2131) 1974 19. Falling Apart At The Seams/Fly Fly Fly (Target TGT 105) 1976 20. Walking A Tightrope/My Everything (Target TGT 110) 1976 21. What You Need Is A Miracle/Rusty Hands Of Time (Target TGT 113) 1976 22. Hello Baby/Seafaring Man (Target TGT 115) 1976
Richard Keelan and Cedric Smith put together this trio in Stratford, Ontario, in 1969. After recording two albums on the independent Rumour label they were signed to Columbia. Their first of two hits was with an edited version of You've Got To Know, a cut from their first Columbia album. Their Does Not Exist album (Columbia ELS-375) came in a beautiful gatefold sleeve and is full of hippie folk/psych with appealing melodies and harmonies, which reach their zenith on the exquisite final cut, Crucifixation Cartoon. There's not a bad track on this album and lots of other pretty good ones (Midnight Hour, Easy Rider (a song about the film), You Have The Power and the gentle Lady Of The County). All are originals and some are preceded by narratives. The opening cut features an extract from one of Dylan Thomas' poems, Truth And Fantasy begins with a narration and later on side two an excerpt from William Shakespeare's As You Like It is put to music. There are similarities to the Incredible String Band and Everyone Involved here. Recommended if you enjoy stoned hippie folk/psych. (taken from "Dreams, Fantasies & Nightmares")
Terrific progressive folkpsych LP with a lot of brains and $$$ put into it, still underrated but really one of the best of its kind. Pretentious and theatrical but successful simply on strength of the talent and production value that went into it. A personal fave with several strong tracks and a peak in the deep acid introspection of "Crucifixation Cartoon". Richard Keelan had previously been in US 1960s folkrock band the Spikedrivers. (Patrick the Lama in "The Acid Archives")
Tracklist: - Midnight Hour - Epistle To The Borderliner - Easy Rider - Truth And Fantasy - Don't You Feel Fine - You Have The Power - Keeper Of The Key - Lady Of The County - Listen To The Kids - Trouble On The Farm - Excerpt From "As You Like It" - The Dancer - Crucification Cartoon Personnel: Richard Keelan (gtr, mandolin, vcls) [ABC] Cedric Smith (gtr, vcls) [ABC] Michael J. Butler (bs) [ABC] Terry Jones (gtr, vcls) [B] George Taros (piano, vcls) [B] Bob Burchill (gtr, vcls) [C] Judy Crocker (piano, flute) [C] David Jeremy Balser (perc) [C] Band origin: Stratford (Ontario/Canada)
Discographie: Albums: 1. (A) Perth County Conspiracy (CBC LM 85) 1970 2. (B) Perth County Conspiracy Does Not Exist (Columbia ELS-375) 1970 3. (B) Alive (Columbia GES 90037) 1971 4. (C) Rumour II [aka What School Bus Tour] (Rumour/Mushroomusic no#) 1973 5. ( ) Kanada (Amiga 855424) 1975 6. ( ) Break Out To Berlin (Rumour V) 1976
[5. GDR release]
45's: 1. Fantasia/Listen To The Kids (Columbia C4-2962) 1970 2. You've Got To Know/Keeper Of The Keys (Columbia C4-2963) 1970 3. Uncle Jed/You Ain't Going Nowhere (Columbia C4-3010) 1971 4. Black Creek/At One (Rumour S-1) 1974
This instrumental exploito album from Italy got some good reviews and I really ask myself why. The opening cut is pretty groovy but the rest of the set is more or less lame. Listeners who enjoy "Bokaj Retsiem" or "101 Strings" could be pleased with "The Underground Set" but I'm not really into that cash-in records. The musicians were in fact from Nuovo Idea but for contractual reasons they have chosen a different name. This re-issue was released on Shagadelic (Shagadelic SDCD 4 / 2002) and I saw it on e-bay gone for 35$. So before you pay for unfulfilled expectations you should listen first! More info about the band can be found on the Italian Prog site
Tracklist: - Arcipelago - Emisfero - Atollo - Longitudine Est - 36° Parallelo - Samba Natalizia - Underground in Blue - Shake 26 - Equatore - 7° Meridiano - Emisfero Personnel [aka Nuovo Idea]: Marco Zoccheddu (gtr, vcls) Claudio Ghiglino (gtr, vcls) Giorgio Usai (keyb'ds) Enrico Casagni (bs, flute, vcls) Paolo Siani (drms, vcls) Band origin: Genova (Italy)
Discographie: Albums: 1. The Underground Set (Radio RRS 134) 1970 2. War In The Night Before (Tickle TLPS 5002) 1971
45's: 1. Arcipelago/La Filibusta (Radio RR 1030) 1970 2. Motor Road Underground/Slaughter On The Motor Road (Radio RR 1043) 1970 3. Tanto Per Cambiare/Emisfero (Radio RR 1048) 1970 4. Una Lettera/Libitum (Tickle TSP 1301) 1971 5. La Casa Aperta Agli Ospiti/Messaggio (Tickle TSP 1304) 1972
[1. + 5. B-Side by Gian Piero Reverberi Orchestra]
From Upper Hutt/New Zealand The Fourmyula were the most successful sixties act in their homeland. They had seven top ten hits as well as some top thirty entrees. Their first album was well received and they recorded up to 1970 three more longplayers. Most of their material is pretty much in the pop-psych vein best compared with UK band like "Wizard Of Oz" or "Toby Twirl". This twenty track compilation was released by EMI New Zealand (EMI 7243 5219242 7 / 1999).
Tracklist: - Come With Me - Alice Is There - Mr. Whippy - Start By Giving To Me - Forever - Turn Your Back On The Wind - Make Me Happy - I'll Sing You A Song - I Know Why - Nature - Have You Heard The News - Toffee Apple Sunday - Orphan - Lady Scorpio - Otaki - Home - Lullaby - Mill Stream - Tell Me No Lie - Blessbury Road Personnel: Martin Hope (lead gtr, vcls) [ABC] Wayne Mason (gtr, organ, vcls) [AB] Alistair Richardson (bs, vcls) [ABC] Chris Parry (drms) [ABC] Carl Evenson (lead vcls) [BC] Paul Pryde (gtr, organ) [C] Band origin: Upper Hutt (New Zealand)
Discographie: Albums: 1. The Fourmyula (HMV CSDM 6283) 1968 2. Green B. Holiday (HMV CSDM 6296) 1969 3. Creation (HMV CSDM 6309) 1970 4. Fourmyula and Shane: Alive! (HMV CSDM 6313) 1970
45's: 1. Honey Chile/Come With Me (HMV HR 331) 1968 2. Alice Is There/I Dig Your Act (HMV HR 334) 1968 3. I Know Why/It's Only Make Believe (HMV HR 335) 1968 4. Start By Giving To Me/If I Had The Time (HMV HR 340) 1968 5. Home/Tell Me No Lies (HMV HR 342) 1968 6. Forever/Mr. Whippy (HMV HR 368) 1969 7. Lady Scorpio/She's A ? (Columbia DNZ 118) 1969 8. I'll Sing You A Song/Mill Stream (HMV HR 374) 1969 9. Nature/Home (HMV HR 380) 1969 10. Make Me Happy/Lord, I'm Coming There (HMV HR 390) 1970 11. Otaki/Which Way Did She Go (HMV HR 405) 1970 12. Turn Your Back On The Wind/Believe In Love (HMV HR 421) 1971 13. Lullaby/Molly (HMV HR 455) 1971
E.P.'s: 1. Four Hits Of The Fourmyula (GESM 6138) 1969
This Toronto outfit evolved out of The Magic Cycle. God was a shorter version of a track on their first album, the flip was non-LP. All the material on Thecycle, a pleasant melodic pop/underground album, was written by Joey Rome and Paul Craig. The killer track is God, especially after the drum part. Recommended listening. (taken from "Dreams, Fantasies And Nightmares")
Rip from original album (Tamarac SKP 1003 / 1970)
Tracklist: - Groovy Things - Open Your Eyes - Letter To Lucy - It's A Sunny Day - Reflections - Walkin' Along - Telephone Number - Early In The Evening - God Personnel: Stan Theriault (lead gtr, vcls) [AB] Paul Craig [aka Paul Clinch] (rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABC] Pete Young (gtr) [A] Joey Rome [aka Joey Dinardo] (bs, vcls) [AB] Peter Goodale (organ, vcls) [ABC] Kevin Barry (drms, vcls) [ABC] Don Paveling (bs) [C] Sebastian Agnello (gtr) [C] Band origin: Toronto (Ontario/Canada)
45's: 1. Let's Run Away/Halfway To Heaven (Red Leaf 633) 1967 2. Give Me The Right/It Was You (Red Leaf 637) 1967 3. Doctor Lollipop/Where Were You When I Needed You (Giant 904) 1967 4. Groovy Things/It's A Sunny Day (Fingerprint 101) 1969 5. Walkin' Along/Open Your Eyes (Tamarac 641) 1969 6. God/Wait For The Miracle (Tamarac 642) 1969 7. Gimme Some Time/Sittin' Where The Flowers Grow (Tamarac 643) 1970 8. Coming Back Again/Hey There, Look At Me (Tamarac 645) 1971 9. All I Really Need Is You/Looking At Each Other (Tamarac 646) 1971 10. If You Call Out My Name/It's What I Want You To See (Tamarac 647) 1972 11. Magic Music/Don't Want To (Tamarac 648) 1972
A good Soft Rock band with psychedelic influences from Montevideo/Uruguay who included Esteban Hirschfeld, previously a member of "Los Mockers". On their one and only album that was re-issued on Breeder (Breeder Backtrack Archive Series LLU 14444) they also did a cover of a Kinks b-side from 1968 ("Todo" aka "She's Got Everything").
Tracklist: - Jacinta - No Temas (Don't Fear) - Sin Tiempo Para Vivir (No Time To Live) - Me Permite Srta.? (May I Mme?) - Mirar Sin Verte (Look Without Seeing) - Estamos Seguros (We Are Sure) - Todo (Everything) - Nunca Para (If Never Stops) - Como El Sol En La Lluvia (Like Sunshine In The Rain) - Dos Ratones Ciegos (Two Blind Mice) - La Red Personnel: Julio 'July' Fontenla (lead gtr, vcls) Jorge 'Coyo' Abuchalja (gtr, vcls) Mario Aguerre (bs) Esteban Hirschfield (keyb'ds) Jorge 'Chocho' Vila (drms) Band origin: Montevideo (Uruguay)
45's: 1. Like A Clown/You Really Got Me (London 77-025) 1967 2. Dos Ratones Ciegos (Two Blind Mice)/Ahora Ella Se Fue (London 77-047) 1968 3. Todo/Sin Tiempo Para Vivir (London 77-071) 1970 4. Con Esa Voz/Amigos Sigue Igual (Discos De la Planta 712) 1972
V.A.: 1. You Gotta Do It (Discodromo 10º aniversario »De la Planta KL 8309« / 1971)
This is not my rip but it was requested so I post it here. It is described as "heavy rock with psychedelic overtones". The 12 minute title track is quite good but to be honest the whole thing is not really my bag. The reissue came out on Pacemaker (Pacemaker PACE033TB / 2000) with 7 bonus tracks. The band was from Thunder Bay/Ontario.
Tracklist: - Mr. Business Man - Mr. Oil Man - 20 Years - Sally's Hymn - 300 South
[Bonus Tracks] - Heidi Ho - Sweet Susan - Angela - Mr. Rock - Uncle Benny - I Believe In Freedom - Sweet Eyed Satin Lady - Better Thing To Do Personnel: Wayne Faulconer (gtr, vcls) Tom Horricks (gtr, vcls, sax) George Stevenson (bs, vcls) Tom Cruickshank (drms, vcls) Band origin: Thunder Bay (Ontario/Canada)
Discographie: Albums: 1. Mr. Oil Man (Columbia 90020) 1970
45's: 1. 20 Years/Heidi Ho (Columbia C4-2969) 1970 2. Tambourine/Intermission (Columbia C4-3008) 1970 3. I Believe In Freedom/Magic Man (Columbia C4-3064) 1971
This is by request and not my rip. It is thought that they came from Hamilton/New York and they made two superb albums of psychedelic and lowkey downer folk. The group members were Rich Fenner (gtr, drms, vcls), Jim Leland (lead gtr, piano) and Wick O'Brien (keyb'ds, organ, bs, vcls). Both albums were re-released on CD (Wild Places WILD 012CD / 2003). Recommended!
Tracklist: [Peace In Our Time] - Peace In Our Time - The Song Of Love, The Song Of Life - Fair Weather Woman - Pretty Peace - Goodbye Youth - I'm Tired - Stop And Think - Base Details - People We Know
[Somewhere, Someday, Somehow] - Uncle America - Dirge - You Can't Deceive The Rain - High And Dry - Double Image - Hey Mister - Come Hell Or High Water - I Cry Alone - Death On Maple Avenue - Where's My Life Going - And To All - Epoch Personnel: Rich Fenner (gtr, drms, vcls) Jim Leland (lead gtr, piano) Wick O'Brien (keyb'ds, organ, bs, vcls) Band origin: Hamilton (New York/US)
Discographie: Albums: 1. Peace In Our Time (RPC AZ 41771/41772) 1969 2. Somewhere Someday Somehow (RPC AZM 70402) 1970
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.
