Friday, September 27, 2024

The Grasshoppers - Let It Be That Way (1966-68 us, spectacular garage beat, 2023 release)



Formed in 1965, the group of White Bear Lake ΜΝ teens started as The Eskorts, changing theirname to The Grasshoppers after a booking agent suggested they adopt a bug name like the Beatles. Acheson played rhythm guitar. Other band members included Greg (Jiggs) Lees, lead singer;Ben Hamar, lead guitar; Tim Black, bass guitar and Phil Scollard, drums. They rehearsed inBlack’s basement.

It was December 1967 and the band was in a recordingstudio playing a song called “Sugar and Spice” (originally recorded by The Searchers) for a 45-rpm single. The back, or B-side, was “Very Last Day,” originally done by Peter, Paul and Mary.The 45 played on Twin Cities radio stations; it was the only single The Grasshoppers released. The newly compiled album, called “Let It Be That Way,” contains that lone 45 and 14 unheardtracks, including eight original songs written by guitarist Hamar. The songs were recorded in adifferent session later that same month in ’67. The CD also contains a bonus tune written byHamar, a Dutch immigrant who moved to White Bear with his parents at age 14.

The Grasshoppers played their last gig March 10, 1969. Three of the five stayed with music, allon a part-time basis, Acheson said. He finally sold his guitar and amp in 1982, the same year heput his turntable, tuner and speakers in storage.
Tracks
1. Sugar And Spice (Tony Hatch) - 2:31
2. Still In Love With You Baby (Ron Elliott) - 2:38
3. Riding In My Car (Bernard Hamar) - 3:09
4. With This Kiss (Dale Menten) - 2:10
5. Words Of Love (Bernard Hamar) - 1:42
6. Paper Cup Beggar (Bernard Hamar) - 2:05
7. The Muffin Man (Bernard Hamar) - 1:45
8. Our Love (Bernard Hamar) - 2:48
9. Mustang Sally (Mack Rice) - 3:16
10.Look Through Any Window (Charles Silverman, Graham Gouldman) - 1:55
11.Watch People (Bernard Hamar) - 1:49
12.Let It Be That Way (Bernard Hamar) - 2:00
13.Mister, You're A Better Man Than I (Brian Hugg, Mike Hugg) - 3:23
14.Lonely Me (Bernard Hamar) - 3:00
15.Very Last Day (Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow) - 2:46
16.Chini Wong (Bernard Hamar) - 2:20

The Grasshoppers
*Jiggs Lee - Lead Vocals 
*Ben Hamar - Vocals, Lead Guitar 
*Tim Black - Bass 
*Tom Acheson - Rhythm Guitar 
*Phil Scowler - Drums

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rep> Man - Man (1971 uk, sensational guitar bluesy psych prog space rock, 2007 remaster with extra tracks)



The group Man evolved from the Bystanders, a mid-'60s Welsh combo whose blend of Beatlesque harmonies and blue-eyed soul yielded a number of well-received singles, most notably the progressive and poppy "Royal Blue Summer Sunshine Day." That side was indicative of the direction they would take after changing their name to Man. Perhaps due to the eponymous moniker, this album has long been mistaken as a debut effort. However, prior to this title, they had already released a pair of LPs, Revelation (1969) and the somewhat more centered and ambitious follow-up 2 Ozs. of Plastic with a Hole in the Middle (1969). By the time of this platter, Clive John (organ/piano/electric guitar/harpsichord/vocals), Deke Leonard (guitar/vocals), Martin Ace (acoustic guitar/bass guitar/vocals), Terry Williams (percussion/drums), Roger Leonard (acoustic guitar/piano/electric guitar/steel guitar/vocals), and Micky Jones (acoustic guitar/electric guitar/vocals) had settled into what most enthusiasts consider to be a seminal aggregate.

In addition to their exceptional improvisational skills, Man would display a more aggressive sound. The opening track, "Romain," instantly gels into driving blues behind Leonard's woozy steel guitar interjections. "Country Girl" is reminiscent of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, complete with a distinct West Coast county-rock lilt. Both of the extended pieces, "Would the Christians Wait Five Minutes?...The Lions Are Having a Draw" and "Alchemist" are pastiches of well-developed instrumentals, although at times they come off as somewhat dated. There is plenty of inspired interaction, however, especially on the latter song as they unleash some definitive heavy metal licks that could easily be mistaken for seminal Black Sabbath. "Daughter of the Fireplace" is another highlight as a compact and attitude-heavy rocker.
by Lindsay Planer
Tracks
1. Romain (Martin Ace, Clive John, Micky Jones, Deke Leonard, Terry Williams) - 6:13
2. Country Girl (Martin Ace, Deke Leonard) - 3:07
3. Would The Christians Wait Five Minutes?/The Lions Are Having A Draw (Martin Ace, Micky Jones) - 13:.02
4. Daughter Of The Fireplace (Deke Leonard) - 5:17
5. Alchemist (Martin Ace, Clive John, Micky Jones, Deke Leonard, Terry Williams) - 20:47
6. Daughter Of The Fireplace (Deke Leonard) - 3:07
7. Alchemist (Martin Ace, Clive John, Micky Jones, Deke Leonard, Terry Williams) - 24:22

Man
*Micky Jones - Guitars, Vocals
*Deke Leonard - Guitars, Piano, Vocals
*Terry Williams - Drums, Percussion
*Martin Ace - Bass, Acoustic Guitar
*Clive John - Organ, Piano, Guitar, Harpsichord, Vocals

1969  Man - 2 Ozs Of Plastic With A Hole In The Middle (2009 remaster)
Related Acts
1971-73  Help Yourself - Reaffirmation An Anthology (2014 Remaster)
1973  Help Yourself - 5 (2004 release)
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