Plain and Fancy

1967 Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded)

rep>>> Jorma Kaukonen And Jack Casady - Bear's Sonic Journals Before We Were Them (1969 us, fine blues based acid psych rock, 2018 digipak remaster)

From the archives of legendary sound engineer Augustus Owsley Stanley, a long-time trusted man of the Grateful Dead, 'Before We Were Them' follows the two live shows dedicated respectively to the Allman Brothers Band and Doc & Merle Watson and captures a performance held by Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, guitarist and bassist of Jefferson Airplane, on June 28, 1969 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa, California.

The always impeccable audio quality of the recordings made by the legendary 'Bear', recovered from the original tapes and restored - remastered for the occasion, allows us to enjoy a concert previously unreleased and only recently resurfaced in which the two great musicians, who had not yet launched into the collateral project of Hot Tuna, are joined on stage by Jefferson Airplane drummer Joey Covington.

With him, Jorma and Jack form an impromptu power trio capable of competing in power and intensity with Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, protagonists of over 70 minutes of exciting and muscular music in which blues classics such as 'Rock Me Baby' and 'Come Back Baby' and the Airplane's 'Star Track' are joined by four rarities titled for the occasion by Kaukonen and Casady ('Turnaround', 'Through The Golden Gate', 'Through The Grove', 'Inspiration In The Hall Of Arrivals') and which will make the mouths of even the completists and the most profound connoisseurs of the duo's repertoire water.

'It's not just the youthful energy that strikes me, when I listen to these songs again; 'It's the musical dialogue that Jack and I shared in those amazing moments,' Kaukonen commented about these recordings, while Casady recalls 'the unbridled fury' of those performances that 'every day, back then, represented a new adventure for our young hearts'. 'Before We Were Them' is therefore a small, very precious treasure chest of psychedelic blues exhumed and polished to a new shine, using state-of-the-art Plangent Processes technologies (which allowed to eliminate even the smallest distortions caused by recording and playback equipment) and the mastering experience of Jeffrey Norman, a long-time collaborator of Stanley himself and the Grateful Dead.

Tracks

1. Rock Me Baby (B.B. King) - 8:32

2. Turnaround - 10:30

3. Star Track (Jorma Kaukonen) - 7:45

4. Through The Golden Gate - 13:43

5. Come Back Baby (Walter Davis) - 10:28

6. Through The Grove - 11:08

7. Inspiration In The Hall Of Arrivals - 8:07

Songs 2,4,6,7 written by Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady

Personnel

*Jorma Kaukonen - Guitar, Vocals

*Jack Casady - Bass

*Joey Covington - Drums

1967 Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded)

1968 Jefferson Airplane - Crown Of Creation (2013 audiophile and 2003 xpanded issue)

1969 Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers (2013 Audiophile, 2003 xpanded)

1971 Jefferson Airplane - Bark (2013 remaster)

1972 Jefferson Airplane - Long John Silver (2013 audiophile remaster)

1972 Jefferson Airplane - Last Flight (2007 double disc remaster)

1973 Jefferson Airplane - Thirty Seconds Over Winterland (2013 Audiophile and 2009 expanded)

1972 Hot Tuna - Burgers (2012 audiophile Vinyl replica)

1975 Hot Tuna - Yellow Fever (2012 Audiophile)

1976 Hot Tuna - Hoppkorv (2012 remaster)

rep>>> AUM - Resurrection (1969 us, brilliant blues based hard psych, 2009 edition)

One of the first acts signed to Bill Graham's Fillmore label, 1969's "Resurrection" teamed the band with producer David Rubinson. As one might have guessed from the album title (let alone the back cover which showed three crosses), their sophomore effort found the band pursuing a pseudo-religious agenda. In spite of occasionally clunky lyrics and an irritating degree of echo, Ceballos-penned material such as "God Is Back In Town," the ballad "Only I Know" and " Today and Tomorrow" wasn't half bad.

Boasting a nifty Ceballos guitar solo, the stately title track was our nomination for standout track. Elsewhere, the driving "Bye Bye Baby" and "Little Brown Hen" recalled Quicksilver Messenger Service. Commercially the set did nothing; the trio calling it quits shortly thereafter.

by Scott Blackerby

Tracks
1. God Is Back In Town - 5:22
2. Resurrection - 5:24
3. Only I Know - 3:55
4. Bye Bye Baby - 3:42
5. Today and Tomorrow - 7:28
6. Little Brown Hen - 2:48
7. Aum - 6:01
8. Pachuko Boogie - Preserve Your Mama (A. Ammons) - 1:15
All songs written by Wayne Ceballos except where noted.

AUM
*Wayne Ceballos - Guitar, Organ, Lead Vocals, Harmonica
*Ken Newell - Bass, Vocals
*Larry Martin - Drums, Vocals

1969 AUM - Bluesvibes

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

rep>>> AUM - Bluesvibes (1969 us, power west coast heavy blues psych rock)

One of the great lesser-known San Francisco bands, AUM was a classic rock power trio, inspired by the likes of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, and led by the talented multi-instrumentalist and singer Wayne Ceballos. The band was first brought to the attention of Bill Graham by San Francisco's premier photographer, Jim Marshall.

Wolfgang's vault

Initially signed by the London-affiliated Sire label, as one would expect from the title, the group's 1969's "Bluesvibes" found them working in a distinctively blues-vein. Reflecting the band's live act, the Richard Gotthrer produced debut featured a series of seven extended jams, (the shortest song clocking in at 4 minutes).

With Ceballos writing the majority of the material, in spite of period excesses (e.g. aimless soloing), originals such as "Mississippi Mud" and "Chilli Woman" weren't half bad. Moreover, Ceballos proved a decent singer, injecting considerable energy into his performances. Among the few missteps, the band's ponderous cover of John Loudermilk's "Tobacco Road" would've been suitable for Vanilla Fudge. Commercially the set proved a non-entity; quickly vanishing into cutout bins.

by Scott Blackerby
Tracks
1. Tobacco Road (John Loundermilk) - 6:54
2. Mississippi Mud - 4:03
3. My Bridge Blues - 5:41
4. Chilli Woman - 4:34
5. Little Help from You - 6:54
6. Movin' Man - 7:48
7. You Can't Hide - 7:24
All songs by Wayne the Harp Ceballos unless as else stated

AUM
*Wayne Ceballos - Guitar, Organ, Lead Vocals, Harmonica
*Ken Newell - Bass, Vocals
*Larry Martin - Drums, Vocals

rep>>> Fuse - Fuse (1969 us, awesome hard rock with prog touches, 2001 bonus tracks edition)

Fuse offers a fascinating glimpse into the musical beginnings of Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson before superstardom beckoned as members of Cheap Trick, but it also stands on its own as a prime example of keyboard driven psychedelic pop, circa 1969.

Fuse was the predecessor of the famous 70's hard rock american band Cheap Trick, earlier called The Grim Reapers. As Fuse a solitary album was issued prior to guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson allying themselves with ex NAZZ members vocalist Robert 'Stewkey' Antoni and drummer Thom Mooney for a revised NAZZ.

Great tunes, my favorites being 4/4 3/4, Show Me and To Your Health. Rick Nielsen mainly plays Keyboards on this, but he does display some early signs of songwriting ability as in Show Me and To Your Health.

The singer was only 17 years old when this was released, what a strong voice for a kid!!! Tom Peterson has to be one of the most UNDERrated Bass players in popular rock.

Just listen to his tight, chunky-bass on this album, and he was only 19 years old! Each track is different, nothing seems repetitive. That is to say, the guitarist, keyboards everyone sounds different on each track. Do not expect to hear any "Cheap Trick sounding" material on this album. It is Hard-rock, a bit progressive, hard hitting music.

This is a very good album, played by a bunch of Rockford kids, and is highly recomended.

by J.D. Kammerer

Tracks
1. Across The Skies (Rick Nielsen, Joe Sundberg) - 4:35
2. Permanent Resident (Joe Sundberg, Craig Myers) - 4:24
3. Show Me (Rick Nielsen) - 4:17
4. To Your Health (Rick Nielsen) - 6:00
5. In A Window (Rick Nielsen, Joe Sundberg) - 5:54
6. 4/4 3/4 (Joe Sundberg, Craig Myers) - 4:2
7. Mystery Ship (Rick Nielsen) - 3:23
8. Sad Day (Rick Nielsen) - 5:49
9. Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) - 2:55
10.Cruisin' For Burgers (Joe Sundberg, Craig Myers) - 5:01

Fuse
*Rick Nielsen - Guitar, Keyboards
*Tom Petersson - Bass
*Joe Sundberg - Vocals
*Chip Greenman - Drums
*Craig Myers - Guitar

Monday, September 21, 2026

rep>>> Freight Train - Just The Beginning (1971 us, great blues psych rock)

The band, Freight Train, was formed by The Reds, founding member, Rick Shaffer, in 1968. The line-up went through many personnel changes before arriving at the one that appears on the 1971 album, "Just The Beginning," on Fly By Nite records, a subsidiary of the Lost-Nite and Crimson labels, owned by Philadelphia record man Jerry Greene. Greene released a catalog of doo wop and oldies hits in the 1960’s, most notably the hit record by The Soul Survivors, "Expressway To Your Heart," and today owns the compilation label, Collectibles, located in Narberth, PA.

The Freight Train albums’ line-up was Rick Shaffer on lead guitar and back-up vocals, Steve Martina on guitar and lead vocals, Jim Peters on bass, and Tommy Geddes on drums. The album is a collection of Chicago blues standards done in a aggressive Paul Butterfield/British blues style, that included some of the great master works of Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, T-Bone Walker, Sonny Boy Williamson and the great Magic Sam. It also contained a rare track, "Rollin Man," by British blues guitarist Peter Green. The album was engineered by Joel Fein, for his outstanding R&B style. Fein’s signature on the soundtrack, "The Buddy Holly Story," starring Gary Busey, is legendary.

The band played all the venues of the time period, from outdoor Festivals to University gigs, coffee houses, and as the opening act for other more established bands. Then, just prior to recording their next album, this time of original blues and R&B, Steve Martina decided to totally stop playing music. His departure created quite a hole in the line-up, especially since Martina was principle vocalist and writer of the new material that had a J Geils / Butterfield Blues sound approach.

Nevertheless, Martina was replaced by guitarist/vocalist, John Rostkowski, a talented and distinctive vocalist/songwriter. The next, and final, upset for the band was changing management because of an unfulfilled promise to get the band off Fly By Nite, and on RCA. So, in 1973, Freight Train pulled into the station and disbanded.

Today, “Just The Beginning,” is recognized as a nugget of "Heavy Psych Blues" in the collectors market, and the "Acid Archives.” In 2011 the album resurfaced on CD on the Russian Federation label, Vitt. And, original 1971 copies of the album sell on the internet for whatever a collector will pay, sometimes as much as $225. In 1977, Shaffer, Geddes, and Peters, got back together, added keyboardist, Bruce Cohen, and formed, The Reds.

The Red-music

Tracks

1. Everything's Goona Be Alright (Little Walter Jacobs) - 3:27

2. Papa Ain't Salty (T-Bone Walker) - 2:43

3. So Many Roads (Marshall Paul) - 7:08

4. Unseen Eye (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 2:43

5. Built For Comfort (Willie Dixon) - 2:49

6. Same Old Blues (Magic Sam) - 2:51

7. I Loved Another Woman (Peter Green) - 3:01

8. Baby What You Want Me (Jimmy Reed) - 3:35

9. Rollin Man (Peter Green, Clifford Adams) - 2:22

Freight Train
*Rick Shaffer - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*Steve Martina – Guitar, Lead Vocals
*Jim Peters – Bass
*Tommy Geddes - Drums

1974-95 Dark - Anonymous Days

rep>>> Wicked Lady - The Axeman Cometh (1968-72 uk, fantastic heavy fuzz psych rock, 2012 reissue)

Wicked Lady exemplifies the "record collector" bands that gain new life through reissues "The Axeman Cometh" and "Psychotic Overkill". Their appearance marked some belated recognition for the power trio, which Northampton singer-guitarist Martin Weaver formed in 1968 with drummer "Mad" Dick Smith and bassist Bob Jeffries. However, Wicked Lady never came within a whisper of the stratospheric status attained by Cream, or the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

The band's liberal use of feedback -- and large biker following -- kept them relegated to clubs, even during the twilight hours of the psychedelic era. Awash in drink and drugs, Wicked Lady split up in 1970, but Smith and Weaver soon regrouped with new bassist, Del "German Head" Morley. The new lineup duly set about documenting its existence, as captured on Psychotic Overkill -- whose feel is looser than Axeman Cometh. The effect is a shotgun marriage of Black Sabbath-style rifferama, supported by a less risk-taking rhythm section. Weaver's vocal style lacks charisma, but his wah-wah and fuzz-driven guitar style carries the day.

The highlights include a bluesy cover of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child," the sex 'n' drugs snapshot of "Sin City," and the howling, 21-minute epic, "Ship Of Ghosts." But Wicked Lady's erratic ways proved too difficult for clubowners, who eventually refused to let them play. (At one gig, the band reportedly played the same song over and over until an irritated management pulled the plug on them.) Wicked Lady imploded in 1972, but Weaver rebounded that same year by joining the Dark, a more psychedelic- and progressive-outfit.

Their Round The Edges album became a Holy Grail for collectors -- because only a handful of copies were made for band members and their associates. Weaver next teamed with classically-trained keyboardist Dave "Doc" Wadley -- who'd worked with a pre-Sabbath Tony Iommi -- in the Mind Doctors.

by Ralph Heibutzki.

Tracks
1. Run The Night - 5:08
2. War Cloud - 7:37
3. The Axeman Cometh - 6:52
4. Life And Death - 9:58
5. Wicked Lady - 6:01
6. Out Of The Dark - 10:14
7. Rebel - 3:32
8. Living On The Edge - 10:09

All songs by Bob Jeffries, Dick Smith, Martin Weaver

Wicked Lady
*Bob Jeffries - Bass
*"Mad" Dick Smith - Drums
*Martin Weaver - Guitars, Vocals

1972 Wicked Lady - Psychotic Overkill (2012 Guerssen)

1971 Alex Taylor - With Friends And Neighbors

Alex Taylor - Dinnertime (1972 us, tight folk blues rock)

Alex Taylor's blues throat couldn't be more unlike his singing siblings, James, Kate and Livingston. As faraway from a sensitive singer/songwriter as could be, Taylor gives the blues treatment to classics like Howlin' Wolf's "Who's Been Talkin'" as well as to songs by contemporary writing greats, from Randy Newman ("Let's Burn Down the Cornfield") to Bob Dylan ("From a Buick Six"), as well as by lesser-knowns like Jesse Winchester ("Payday"). With searing guitars and evocative organ at work, the record serves as a sampler of what was going on at Muscle Shoals and Ardent Studios in the early '70s and captures the Memphis soul sound of the era. This is his second recording for Capricorn.

by Denise Sullivan

Tracks

1. Change Your Sexy Ways (Alex Taylor, Chuck Leavell, Jimmy Nalls) - 7:07

2. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield (Randy Newman) - 4:25

3. Comin' Back To You (Scott Boyer) - 4:15

4. Four Days Gone (Stephen Stills) - 3:56

5. Payday (Jesse Winchester) - 4:53

6. Who's Been Talkin' (Chester Burnett) - 4:45

7. Who Will The Next Fool Be (Charlie Rich) - 4:50

8. From A Buick Six (Bob Dylan) - 4:54

Musicians

*Alex Taylor - Vocals

*Bill Stewart - Drums

*Charles Chalmers - Vocals

*Charlie Hayward - Bass

*Chuck Leavell - Keyboards, Piano, Vibraphone

*Donna Rhodes - Vocals

*Earl Sims - Percussion

*Ginger Holladay - Vocals

*Jaimoe - Congas, Percussion, Timbales

*Jimmy Nalls - Guitars

*John Hughey - Steel Guitar

*Johnny Sandlin - Bass, Moog Synthesizer

*Lou Mullenix - Percussion, Timbales

*Mary Holladay - Vocals

*Paul Hornsby - Keyboards, Organ

*Roger Hawkins - Congas, Percussion, Tambourine

*Sandra Chalmers - Vocals

*Sandra Rhodes - Vocals

*Scott Boyer - Guitars, Vocals

*Steve Smith - Vocals

*Temple Riser - Vocals

*Wayne Perkins - Bass, Guitar, Slide Guitar

1974 Cowboy - Boyer And Talton (2018 remaster and expanded)

1968 The 31st Of February - The 31st Of February
1974 Gregg Allman - The Gregg Allman Tour (2008 japan SHM remaster)

1972 Crazy Horse - At Crooked Lake (Retro World 2013)
1978 Crazy Horse - Crazy Moon (Remaster & Xpanded)

Sunday, September 20, 2026

rep>>> Crazy Horse - Scratchy • Complete Recordings (1962-73 us, exceptional country rock, 2005 double disc issue)

Crazy Horse’s 1971 self-titled debut, with Danny Whitten, Nils Lofgren and Jack Nitzsche, remains a roots-inflected, heavy-rock touchstone, boasting a uniformly strong set balancing mournful ballads and left-field rockers (notably, an ode to erectile dysfunction and a party stomper about scoring heroin). Just a year later, the follow-up Loose found Talbot and Molina fronted by an anonymous collection of minor leaguers, delivering limp country-rock several notches below the not exactly hearty CSN/Eagles standard. Rhino’s “limited edition” supplements the official releases with the usual oddments and arcana, but given the original lineup’s too-brief run, these barrel scrapings inspire a benevolent indulgence. The simulated innocence of the early-’60s close harmony and Brill Building knockoffs that close the set is sweet enough to induce tears.

by Scott Manzler

Neil Young may not ever allow his Reprise outtakes to be released, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot of equally cool stuff from an orbit near his that can't be enjoyed -- and Rhino Handmade has hit a mother lode with this double-CD set, which offers a lot more than even dedicated Crazy Horse fans may expect. Thanks to their convoluted membership history and a series of label changes, Crazy Horse had one of the stranger release histories of almost any '70s band -- their stuff and, to some extent, their sound are all over the map. Scratchy:

The Complete Reprise Recordings makes a strong case, however, for the primacy of the first lineup and their work on Reprise, assembling all of their released work for the label plus the equivalent of an album's worth of outtakes and radio spots, and two tracks by Danny & the Memories, the group that preceded the formation of Crazy Horse by five years or so. The group's self-titled debut album has bounced in and out of print for the last 34 years, but here it's been remastered with the kind of attention that makes it sound like one is hearing it for the first time -- the close sound of the acoustic guitars on "I Don't Want to Talk About It" and the roaring electric instruments on "Gone Dead Train," "Dance, Dance, Dance," and "Downtown" are impressive to these ears, the harder-rocking numbers now displaying the raw power and impact that the group exuded on-stage; the remastering job has undone the inevitable flattening process that went into the vinyl release, so that Billy Talbot's bass, in particular, now gets a killer showcase, and Jack Nitzsche's piano on "Carolay" gets as much play as the massed acoustic guitars that carry the rhythm figure at the center of the song.

What's more, the crispness of the sound has brought the singing out in vivid detail -- if the LP could have sounded this bracing and powerful, this band might well have seen the success it deserved. The second half of the first CD is filled out with the tracks off of their second album, Loose; thanks to the ensuing lineup changes that took place, they're a bit of a letdown after the 11 gems from Crazy Horse, though not bad on their own terms -- the group plays from less melodic strength and raw inventiveness, but make up for it with a lot of enthusiasm and positive vibes in their sound, especially on the acoustic numbers such as the gorgeous "One Thing I Love" or "All Alone Now."

The real treat, however, is the second disc, which opens with a string of extraordinary outtakes, including the title track -- the outtakes sound incredible and feature exceptional playing, and "Scratchy" by itself is worth the price of admission, 12 minutes of stunning electric interaction; and it's followed by the gorgeous acoustic piece "Dear Song Singer," plus a long version of "Downtown"; the first Danny & the Memories cut, "Can't Help Loving That Girl," was, in its own time, a throwback to early-'60s doo wop style, while the second, "Don't Go," was much more contemporary circa 1965. The set is attractively designed, with separate pockets for each disc and a beautifully designed booklet with extensive annotation, all in a very practical slipcase-style package. It's a bargain for any fan of this band or any of its members, and worth tracking down.

by Bruce Eder

Tracks

Disc 1 "Crazy Horse" 1971

1. Gone Dead Train (Russ Titelman, Jack Nitzsche) - 4:10

2. Dance, Dance, Dance (Neil Young) - 2:13

3. Look At All The Things (Danny Whitten) - 3:14

4. Beggars Day (Nils Lofgren) - 4:33

5. I Don't Want To Talk About It (Danny Whitten) - 5:20

6. Downtown (Danny Whitten, Neil Young) - 3:16

7. Carolay (Jack Nitzsche, Russ Titelman) - 2:53

8. Dirty, Dirty (Danny Whitten) - 3:33

9. Nobody (Nils Lofgren) - 2:39

10.I'll Get By (Danny Whitten) - 3:08

11.Crow Jane Lady (Jack Nitzsche) - 4:27

"Loose" 1972

12.Hit And Run (John Blanton) - 2:41

13.Try (George Whitsell) - 3:18

14.One Thing I Love (Greg Leroy) - 2:37

15.Move (George Whitsell) - 3:13

16.All Alone Now (George Whitsell) - 2:46

17.All The Little Things (Greg Leroy) - 5:01

18.Fair Weather Friend (Greg Leroy) - 2:41

19.You Won't Miss Me (George Whitsell) - 2:47

20.Going Home (Greg Leroy) - 2:50

21.Don't Believe It (George Whitsell) - 3:07

22.Kind Of Woman (John Blanton) - 4:25

23.One Sided Love (George Whitsell) - 3:12

24.And She Won't Even Blow Smoke In My Direction (George Whitsell) - 1:21

Disc 2
1. Dirty, Dirty (Alternate Version) (Danny Whitten) - 3:56
2. Scratchy (Takes 1-3) (Unknown) - 12:12
3. Dear Song Singer (Unknown) - 3:10
4. Downtown (Unedited Long Version) (Danny Whitten, Neil Young) - 10:42
5. Susie's Song (Takes 1-5) (Nils Lofgren) - 6:13
6. When You Dance You Can Really Love (Neil Young) - 2:52
7. Radio Spot - 1:07
8. Danny And The Memories - Can't Help Loveing That Girl (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) - 2:03
9. Danny And The Memories - Don't Go (Danny Whitten) - 1:59
Tracks 1-5 from "Crazy Horse" sessions
Track 6 recorded January 1973
Track 7 Reprise 1971
Tracks 8-9 Danny And The Memories Valiant single 1962

1968 The Rockets - The Rockets

Just Paste
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rep>>> Waterloo - First Battle (1970-72 belgium, wispy psych folk with organ heavy bombast, extra tracks edition)

There’s an old gag particularly prevalent in Britain that goes along the lines of “I bet you can’t name five famous Belgians”. In fact this small bilingual, bicultural European country has produced more celebrities than you’d think: Gérard Mercator, designer of the universal map projection that bears his name; Adolphe Sax, who invented the saxophone; and Georges Simenon, creator of classic fictional detective Maigret, are just three. Perhaps thinner on the ground are famous Belgian musicians: poetic songwriter Jacques Brel is certainly the best known, and then there’s Jean “Toots” Thielemans who uniquely plays jazz on chromatic harmonica . . . and of course Plastic Bertrand.

Prior to 1980 or thereabouts, home-grown Belgian rock bands were certainly a select species, at least in terms of penetration outside their homeland and France. Waterloo was a fine, sturdy prog-rock outfit in the English mould of the late 1960s, coming together in ’69 with members from two just-folded Belgian pop-psych groups, releasing their sole album the following year and folding themselves about a year later after precious little commercial success. Their musical pedigree was beyond doubt; organist Marc Malyster was a conservatoire-trained keyboard player, whilst lead vocalist/flautist Dirk Bogaert had been an operatic boy soprano and drummer Jacky Mauer was steeped in jazz. With the workmanlike rock chops of guitarist Gus Roan who also doubled on flute, and bass guitarist Jean-Paul Janssens, they covered all the bases.

First Battle was recorded in England with all the lyrics in English; given this plus the band’s propensity for driving three-four rhythms and breathy flute accompaniments, it’s no surprise they frequently recall Mick Abrahams-period Jethro Tull. However Malyster’s organ work marks them out from the Brit combo, favouring a churchy drawbar setting on his Hammond and incorporating plenty of Bach-like touches in the style of his main rock influence, Keith Emerson.

The album offers nine tightly-composed, tightly-performed songs, none breaching the four-minute barrier, all with tuneful pop sensibility and lyrical hooks and featuring fine harmony vocals and terse, pithy solos. Only on the ten-minute closing opus “Diary Of An Old Man” is each player is given the chance to feature more extensively, with excellent expositions by Bogaert on simultaneous flute and scat vocal and by Roan who finally gets to really stretch out on guitar.

Pick of the other tracks are the Tullish “Why May I Not Know” which sets out the band’s stall for the following numbers; the jazzy, socially aware “Black Born Children” which thematically if not musically recalls the Nice’s “Daddy, Where Did I Come From”; and the splendid classically-harmonised riff of “Life” which also features a vocal dialogue, fruity flute obbligati and muscular bass guitar work. In all honesty there are no weak tracks anywhere on this album. The record was cut at an unidentified Soho eight-track studio under producer David McKay (who also masterminded Belgium’s other high-profile group of the day, Wallace Collection) and the sound quality, at least on the CD reissue, is exemplary, being powerful and clean with each lead instrument deftly forefronted.

Tensions within the band must have surfaced soon after the recording, because Janssens was gone by July ’70 and Malyster bailed soon after. Replacements were found but the tight, virtuosic sound of the original lineup was never emulated; the band struggled on for another year or so, cutting a couple of singles that strangely reverted to a pop-psych template. These were included as bonus cuts on the first (vinyl) reissue of First Battle by French musicians’ cooperative label Musea, now long out of print, and also appear on the excellent CD reissue by Spanish imprint Guerszen which is still available. Devotees of the Nice, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple and other early progressive rockers will find a lot to like on this collection.

by Len Liechti

Tracks
1. Meet Again - 3:02
2. Why May I Not Know - 3:06
3. Tumblin' Jack - 2:34
4. Black Born Children - 3:42
5. Life - 2:45
6. Problems - 2:58
7. Why Don't You Follow Me? - 3:30
8. Guy In The Neighbourhood - 2:54
9. Lonesome Road - 2:48
10. Diary Of An Old Man - 10:58
11. Plastic Mind - 4:25
12. Smile - 3:50
13. I Can't Live With Nobody But You - 3:41
14. The Youngest Day - 7:33
15. Bobo's Dream - 4:58
16. Bad Time - 3:19
Bonus Tracks 11-16

Waterloo
*Dirk Bogaert - Lead Vocals, Flute
*Gus Roan - Guitar
*Jacky Mauer - Drums
*Marc Malyster - Organ (Tracks 1-12)
*Jean-Paul Janssens - Bass (Tracks 1-12)
*Frank Wuyts - Organ (Tracks 13 To 16)
*Jean-Paul Musette - Bass (Tracks 13 To 16)
*John Van Rymenant - Saxophone (Tracks 13 To 16)