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]
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)
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
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)
Often misspelt as "The World Is Love" this CD (Collectables COL-0683 / 1997) centres around Dallas resident Jon Williams and his involvement in three great garage/acid punk bands, Penthouse 5, By Fives and The WordD. It contains all the singles (except for the By Fives B-Side) and alternate versions as well as unreleased material, which is equally good. The WordD got another airing on the latest Cicadelic release "It's A Happening! - Texas Girls Of The 60's" that is strongly recommended.
Tracklist: - Bad Girl - Don't Mess Around With My Dream - In His Shadow - I Saw You Walking • by The By Fives - Keep On Walking (unreleased version) • by WordD - You're Gonna Make Me • by WordD - You're Gonna Make Me - Vertigo Blue Sometime (previously unreleased version) - It's All My Own Bizarre Dream (prev. unreleased version) - La, La, La (previously unreleased version) - Twelve String Jangle (previoulsy unreleased) - You're Always Around (previously unreleased) - You're Always Around • by The WordD - Today Is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday (demo) • by WordD - Today Is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday (4 track) • by WordD - The Years Have Passed (backing track) - It's All My Own Bizarre Dream (demo) - Don't Mess Around With My Dream (demo) • by Ron Price - Vertigo Blue Sometime (pbacking track) - Today Is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday (early rehearsals) Personnel [Penthouse 5]: Rob Graham (vcls) [A] Justin Brown (lead gtr) [A] Steve Wood (gtr, keyb'ds, vcls) [AB] Bill Looney (bs) [AB] Mark Porter (drms) [A] Jon Williams (lead vcls, keyb'ds, hrmnca) [B] Richard Keathley (lead gtr, vcls) [B] Mike Echart (drms) [B] (Becky Durr (lead vcls) [B] Band origin: Dallas (Texas)
Discographie: 45's: 1. (A) Bad Girl/In His Shadow (Solar 7665-4211) 1966 2. (A) You're Gonna Make Me/ Don't Mess Around With My Dream (Hawk 1-1-67) 1967
[2. as Penthouse]
Personnel [The WordD]: Genie Geer (lead vcls) Jon Williams (lead vcls, keyb'ds, hrmnca) Richard Keathley (lead gtr) Pat Whitefield (bs) Bob Johnson (drms) Band origin: Dallas (Texas)
Discographie: 45's: 1. You're Always Around/You're Gonna Make Me (Caprice 609V-4983) 1966
Personnel incl. [By Fives]: Jon Williams (lead vcls)
Band origin: Dallas (Texas)
Discographie: 45's: 1. I Saw You Walking/That's How Strong My Love Is (Tomi 106) 1966
I assume that you all know The Action. The Mods and Beat fans love them for their 65-67 recordings respectively the retrospective "Ultimate Action" album, the Psychedelic entusiasts prefer the "Brain" aka "Rolled Gold" releases. "Action Speaks Louder Than..." contains five studio demos from '68 shortly before they became Mighty Baby and was released 1985 on the Castle label (Castle DOJOLP 3). Although it's already the Mighty Baby line-up the sound is better comparable with the "Brain" recordings and highly recommended for every Psychedelic connoisseur. All the tracks were written by Ian Whiteman and presumably recorded as they've picked up the name Azoth for a short while. "The Tapestry of Delights" described it as "a soft, West Coast psychedelic feel with very pleasant harmonies". The tracks also appeared on Big Beats CD re-issue of the first "Mighty Baby" album and if you have this release you don't need necessarily "Action Speaks Louder Than...". If you haven't you should grab these songs for your complete Action discography!
Tracklist: - Only Dreaming - Dustbin Full Of Rubbish - An Understanding Love - My Favourite Day - A Saying For Today Personnel: Reggie King (vcls) [ABCD] Peter Watson (lead gtr, vcls) [A] Alan 'Bam' King (gtr, vcls) [ABCDE] Mike Evans (bass, gtr) [ABCDE] Roger Powell (drums, gtr) [ABCDE] Ian Whiteman (keyb'ds, sax, oboe, clarinet) [CE] Martin Stone (lead gtr) [DE] Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. (A/B) The Ultimate Action (Edsel ED 101) 1980 2. (E) Action Speaks Louder Than (Castle DOJOLP 3) 1985 3. ( ) Rolled Gold (Dig The Fuzz Records DIG 025) 1998
45's: 1. (A) Land Of A Thousand Dances/In My Lonely Room (Parlophone R 5354) 1965 2. (A) I'll Keep On Holding On/Hey Sha-Lo-Ney (Parlophone R 5410) 1966 3. (A) Baby You've Got It/ Since I Lost My Baby (Parlophone R 5474) 1966 4. (B) Never Ever/Twenty Fourth Hour (Parlophone R 5572) 1967 5. (B) Shadows And Reflections/Something Has Hit Me (Parlophone R 5610) 1967 6. (B) Harlem Shuffle/Wasn't It You (Hansa 14321 AT) 1968
This unofficial release went about six volumes and was compiled "from members for members" of the (now gone) U-Spaces group. Some illustrious people were involved like Max Waller, Patrick Lundborg or Alec Palao, to name a few. By the time of finishing "California Love-in" contains previously uncompiled or forgotten material of Psychedelic and Pop groups from the californian '60s. For my taste more than half of the material is well worth hearing. As I was never a member of any group or forum I've picked it up a while ago at Soulseek.
Tracklist: 1. The Love-Ins Cinema Trailer Edit 2. Family Tree - He Spins Around taken from the single He Spins Around/She Had To Fly (RCA 9671) 1968 Line-up: Bob Segarini (gtr, vcls, keyb'ds), Mike Dure (gtr), Bill 'Kootch' Troachim (bs, vcls), Jim Decocq (keyb'ds), Van Slatter (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 3. Hobbits - Jolly Good Fellow taken from the single Frodo Lives/Jolly Good Fellow (ZAR 25) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 4. Gladstone - What A Day taken from the single Upsome/What A Day (A&M 1061) 1968 Line-up: Ned Torney (gtr, keyb'ds, vcls), Jim Sawyers (gtr), Alan Graham (vcls, bs), Ken Matthew (drms, vcls). Band origin: San Jose (California/US) 5. Travel Agency - Time taken from the single Time/Made For You (Tanqueray 20102) 1966 Line-up: Steve Haehl (gtr, vcls), Tom Beal, Busby. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 6. Avant Garde - Honey And Gall taken from the single Naturally Stoned/Honey And Gall (Columbia 4-44590) 1968 Line-up: Elkin "Bubba" Fowler (vcls), Chuck Woolery (vcls) + session musicians. Band origin: California 7. Ariel - It Feels Like I'm Crying taken from the single I Love You/It Feels Like I'm Crying (Brent 7060) 1966 Line-up: Jack Walters (lead gtr), Chris Guiver, Paul Studebaker, Dennis Studebaker. Band origin: Burlingame (California/US) 8. Now - I Want taken from the single I Want/Like A Flying Bird (Embassy C-1968) 1968 Line-up: Frank Straight (lead gtr), David Zandonatti (bs, vcls), Oliver McKinney (keyb'ds), Randy Guzman [aka Randy Gordon] (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 9. Tow-Away Zone - Searchin' taken from the single Searchin'/Shabd (Epic 5-10369) 1968 Line-up: Phil Franks (gtr), Bjorn Nymann (gtr), Randy Molitor (bs), Bill DeHaan (drms). Band origin: San Leandro (California/US) 10. Weathervane - My Original Blue Jeans taken from the single 4-4,4-5/My Original Blue Jeans (Plamie P 1026) 1968 Line-up: Kevin Beamish (lead gtr), Bob Wilson (rhythm gtr), Ed Bowman (bs), Steffen Presley (organ), Mike O'Bryan (drms, lead vcls). Band origin: Modesto (California/US) 11. Vandells - American Eagle taken from the single Hunter's Fox/American Eagle (Bay Town BT 021/022) 1969 Line-up: Drew Serb (lead gtr), Joe Serb (rhythm gtr, lead vcls), Mike Raffanelli (bs), Gary Raffanelli (organ), Paul George (drms). Band origin: Richmond (California/US) 12. Stained Glass - Mediocre Me taken from the single A Scene In Between/Mediocre Me (RCA Victor 47-9354) 1967 Line-up: Bob Rominger (gtr), Jim McPherson (bs, vcls), Dennis Carrasco (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California/US) 13. Spring Fever - You Made My Life taken from the single Stop!/You Made My Life (Capitol 2337) 1968 Line-up incl.: David Bryan Orgill. Band origin: Salt Lake City (Utah) → San Francisco (California/US) 14. Drongos - Under My Thumb taken from the single Under My Thumb/If You Want To Know (White Whale WW-235) 1966 Line-up: Bruce Clausen (lead gtr), Arnold Levinson (rhythm gtr), Michael Friedman (bs), Todd Anderson (vcls, piano, sax), Alec Axt (drms). Band origin: Berkeley (California/US) 15. White Haven Pillow - Music Man taken from the single Wreck It/Music Man (MTA 142) 1968 Line-up: Dave Corboy (vcls), Mick Cantrell (lead gtr), Kenn Simms Jr. (gtr), Dennis Brock (bs), Don E. Cantrell Jr. (keyb'ds), Roger Corboy (drms). Band origin: Hayward (California/US) 16. Flying Circus - Got To Learn To Love taken from the single Green Eyes Green World/Got To Learn To Love (MTA 130) 1967 Line-up: Bill Berry (vcls), Kevon "Kid" Haapala (gtr), Jim Grandjean (gtr), John Haapala (bs), Don Perkins (drms). Band origin: San Anselmo (California/US) 17. Kensington Forest - Movin' On taken from the single Bells/Movin' On (Baysound 6901) 1967 Line-up: Jack Walters (lead gtr), Chris Guiver, Dennis Studebaker, ? Walters. Band origin: Burlingame (California/US) 18. Recurring Love Habit - Faiola Bros. taken from the single A Day In The Life/Faiola Bros. (Buddah BDA 4) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 19. Captain Zoom - I Really Want You taken from the single I Really Want You/Long Tall Texan (A&M 785) 1965 Line-up: Ron Cornelius (gtr), Joe Davis (bs), Robin Reich, Gary Vasquez. Band origin: Richmond (California/US) 20. Weird Herald - Saratoga James taken from the single Saratoga James/Just Yesterday (Onyx 2202) 1968 Line-up: Billy Dean Andrus (lead gtr), Paul Ziegler (gtr), Cecil Bollinger (bs), Patrick ? (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California/US) 21. Tommy Faia & The True Blue Facts - The Boy I Left Behind taken from the single Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain/The Boy I Left Behind (A&M 945) 1968 Line-up incl.: Tommy Faia (vcls, gtr), David Rosenkranz (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 22. Vandells - Hunter's Fox See Track 11 23. Now - Like A Flying Bird See Track 8 24. Travel Agency - Made For You See Track 5 25. Spring Fever – Stop! See Track 13 26. Broken Arrow - Every Night You Never Give Me Money taken from the single Keep On Truckin'/Every Night – You Never Give Me Your Money (Vault V-968) 1970 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 27. Tow-Away Zone - Shabd See Track 9 28. Gladstone - Upsome See Track 4 29. Wildwood - Swimming taken from the single Plastic People/Swimming (Magnum 420) 1968 Line-up incl.: John Turner (gtr), Frank John Colli (vcls, bs), Mike Ross (keyb'ds), Tim Mora, William Chalker. Band origin: Stockton (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.
