Sagittarius - Present Tense (1966-68 us, heavenly tender baroque sunny psychedelia, 2006 japan bonus tracks issue)

Sagittarius is the project (and zodiac sign) of one Gary Usher, collaborator and friend to Brian Wilson and producer of Notorious Byrds, and the ambitious Curt Boettcher, another Beach Boys coconspirator and genius behind the legendary Begin album by The Millennium.

Basically, they are companion albums, released in the same month in 1968, where most recommend starting with Begin and expanding into Present Tense. Some will find this album a bit twee for their tastes, and it is very hard to take seriously on first listen. But a little effort in putting it on, and it won’t take long before the album reveals itself to you. I find Present Tense to be almost a little better put-together than Begin. Realize though, that you’re not going to win points pumping this album full blast; maybe this is an album for headphones on the train, or a light rainy day.

Usually, I would balk at posting a track called “Song To The Magic Frog;” I have to though as it well represents the album. The instruments are eq’d with fairy dust it seems, and nice orchestral touches. “Will you ever, will you ever know” sounds to me like a classic Curt Boettcher melody, and though this is a Gary Usher project, Curt’s prevailing influence is unmistakable. The vocals soar on “Another Time” and it’s near the top, but I promise you that it is worth growing with Present Tense and all of its loveliness.

It’s only a matter of time before some director includes some of this Curt Boettcher madness in a popular film and all this soft California sike blows up. Included here from the bonus selections is the single version of My World Fell Down, with the preserved musique concrete bridge that Clive Davis urged removed from the album version.

by Brendan McGrath

Tracks

Original Album 1967

1. Another Time (C. Boettcher) - 2:39

2. Song To The Magic Frog (Will You Ever Know) (C. Boettcher, M. O'Malley) - 2:48

3. You Know I've Found A Way (C. Boettcher, L. Mallory) - 2:00

4. The Keeper Of The Games (C. Boettcher) - 1:53

5. Glass (E. Sheldon, L. Marks) - 2:26

6. Would You Like To Go (C. Boettcher, G. Alexander) - 2:37

7. My World Fell Down (G. Stephens, J. Carter) - 2:54

8. Hotel Indiscreet (J.A. Griffin, M.Z. Gordon) - 2:11

9. I'm Not Living Here (C. Boettcher) - 2:26

10.Musty Dusty (C. Boettcher) - 3:11

Japan 2006 Extra Tracks Issue

12.My World Fell Down (Mono Single Version) (G. Stephens, J. Carter) - 3:47

13.Hotel Indiscreet (Mono Single Version) (J.A. Griffin, M.Z. Gordon) - 2:22

14.Another Time (Mono Single Version) (C. Boettcher) - 2:44

15.You Know I've Found A Way (Mono Single Version) (C. Boettcher, Gary Usher, L. Mallory) - 2:04

16.The Truth Is Not Real (Mono Single Version) (Gary Usher) - 3:03

17.I'm Not Living Here (Mono Single Version) (Curt Boettcher, Gary Usher, Keith Olsen) - 2:24

18.The Keeper Of The Games (Mono Single Version) (Curt Boettcher, Gary Usher, Keith Olsen) - 1:49

19.Virgo (Gary Usher) - 2:26

20.Libra (Gary Usher) - 4:06

21.Pisces (Gary Usher) - 2:54

Personnel
*Curt Boettcher - Vocals, Arrangements
*Gary Usher - Vocals, Arrangements
*Glen Campbell - Guitar
*Sandy Salisbury - Vocals
*Joey Stec - Guitar
*Bruce Johnston - Vocals
*Lee Mallory - Guitar
*Ron Edgar - Drums
*Michael Fennelly - Vocals, Guitar
*Doug Rhodes - Bass, Flute, Horn, Organ, Tambourine, Vocals
*Wrecking Crew
*Firesign Theatre

Free Text
Just Paste