This is one of my favorite psych-blues albums and every track is just to forgotten gem of past generation. Both albums are allocated different guitars, throaty vocals and elastic hard-rock rhythms. John Thomas is John Thomas, nothing else intended.
He came from Australia, where he recorded in the 60s with The Flies. Then moved to London, but soon after settled down in Germany, where he recorded the pretty good psych album "Come With Me" with his band Rust (UK &US members) He then formed Creepy John Thomas with German musicians Andy Marx & Helmut Pohle (who were not amused, when this LP came out with wrong musicians-credits and a bunch of uninvolved hipsters on the cover).This first LP was released in UK too, but sank like a lead elephant. Next was the album "Brother Bat Bone" 1970, a German only release on Telefuken, and one that's pretty weird as well released on LP by Decca - in Germany.
"You've Gotta Hide" is bluesy tune with solid elements of pure classic rock, chorus is catchy and it's good fitter on first side of album. "One Way Track Blues" is awesome blues riff, lead on acoustic guitar and filled with riffing on electric guitar. Vocals are good-fitting and are totally bluesy, with sour tone but with strenght on finish. Solo is another great thing in this tune. I've noticed that they're singing "...Left my house, spend my time, Blue Cheer, plunder sky..." which left to conclude that they were probably in good releationship with Blue Cheer while Thomas was in San Fran. "Trippin' Like A Dog" is another Muddy Waters-stylish blues tune but with psychedelic guitar wailing through whole song.
"Ride A Rainbow" is psychedelic-trip themed tune, made by hippies for hippes - oriented on peace, unity and love. Thomas' guitar talent is obvious - with his psych-bluesy guitar sound he's painting every song with colors of vivid picture. Next tune, "Green Eyed Lady", instantly reminded me of bass groove on "The Other Side Of This Life" by mighty Jefferson Airplane, which proves Thomas' connection with San Fran scene. Although bass sounds similiar, this song is nothing like upper mentioned. If anything's been really catchy here - than "Sun and Woman" is winner. Guitar is so cheery and catchy, it'll stuck in your head for weeks.
Pumping rhythm of "Lay It On Me" will really satisfy you, and knitlling of guitar will make you love this band. It's funny how they use chorus from "Ride A Rainbow" in this song, just like that, in the middle of song - you'll hear part from previously mentioned song. "Bring Back The Love" will wake oriental side in you. There's bongos and sitars, outrhythmic singing - like in a middle of some ritual. However, ender song could be better. Realising strenght of this album, I would expect psych-bluesy version of, let's say, 10 minutes long jamming, but it ends with cool but rather short tune.
by Adamus67Tracks
Brother Bat Bone 1970
1. Down In The Bottom - 5:11
2. What’s The Matter With The Mill - 3:16
3. Brother Bat Bone - 9:06
4. This Is My Body - 3:28
5. Standing In The Sunshine - 8:34
6. 100 Lib. Noomy - 2:29
Creepy John Thomas 1969
7. Gut Runs Great Stone - 4:03
8. (Do I Figure) In Your Life - 2:46
9. You’ve Got To Hide - 2:34
10.One Way Track Blues - 2:09
11.Trippin’ Like A Dog - 4:19
12.Ride A Rainbow 3:05 - 5.65
13.Green Eyed Lady - 3:35
14.Sun And Woman - 3:38
15.Lay It On Me - 3:21
16.Bring Back The Love - 3:23
17.Moon And Eyes Song - 3:43
Creepy John Thomas
*Creepy John Thomas - Lead Vocals, Guitar
*Andy Marx - Lead Guitar, Bass
*Helmut Pohl - Drums
*Dave Hutchins - Bass
*Roy O’Temro - Drums
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Fine. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! The band is beautiful. Cool stuff
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check this out, Thanks Marios
ReplyDeleteIt's Halloween, Gotta hava mora of 'em, Please RE-up Creepy John Thomas please
ReplyDeleteSnosbig, Creepy John Thomas reup..
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