The Gods - To Samuel A Son (1969 uk, great psych rock, 2009 japan bonus track remaster)

Here’s a bit of a conundrum: whereas concept albums often shift melodies down in favor of big ideas, this one is all about songs – unlike THE GODS’ debut that saw them try to enter the already trodden waters. Beating FIRE’s similarly shaped "The Magic Shoemaker" time-wise, the second time around the band gave reins to Ken Hensley who, less constrained by the progressive paradigm of the day, came up not only with memorable tunes but also with the trademark sound he’d perfect in URIAH HEEP.

It’s unmistakably his composer style behind the vocal line of the title track, and the acoustic “He’s Growing”, while still rooted in psychedelia, could have easily find a place on any of the master’s solo records. But for all that, and a few lightweight numbers such as “Penny Dear” with its Caribbean undertow or the TRAFFIC-like “Autumn”, this is an ensemble work, as proven by a single cover of “Maria” from “West Side Story”, in the vein of but not as wild as THE NICE’s take on “America”. Lee Kerslake’s drums add tragic tones to the heavy vibe of “Groozy”, and John Glascock’s bass punctuates the otherwise dry bopping of “Lady Lady”, yet on the pop side of things, the singalong-inducing “Momma I Need”, electric piano purring under the caress of vocal harmonies, sounds like a hit that never was. The band never realized their potential, so obvious here, in the last chapter of THE GODS’ story, but its role as a springboard for all involved is undeniable.

by Dmitry M. Epstein

Tracks
1. To Samuel A Son (Ken Hensley) - 3:29
2. Eight O'Clock In The Morning (Lee Kerslake) - 3:16
3. He's Growing (Joe Konas, John Glascock) - 2:25
4. Sticking Wings On Flies (Joe Konas, Ken Hensley) - 2:39
5. Lady Lady (Ken Hensley) - 3:18
6. Penny Dear (Joe Konas) - 2:34
7. Long Time, Sad Time, Bad Time (Ken Hensley) - 3:12
8. Five To Three (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 2:59
9. Autumn (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 3:12
10.Yes I Cry (Joe Konas) - 2:40
11.Groozy (Sugarman, Robertson) - 3:38
12.Momma I Need (Ken Hensley, Joe Konas) - 3:54
13.Candlelight (Ken Hensley) - 2:31
14.Lovely Anita (Lee Kerslake) - 3:29
15.Maria (Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim) - 3:58
Bonus Track #15

The Gods
*John Glascock - Bass, Vocals
*Ken Hensley - Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
*Lee Kerslake - Drums
*Joe Konas - Guitar, Vocals

1968  Genesis (2009 Japan remaster) 

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