Part-time farmer/musician Oliver Chaplin is the person behind one of the rarest private pressings from the UK. He self-released ‘Standing Stone’ in 1974 which is now considered a cult album. The album was recorded in early 1974 at a remote farm in Wales, using a portable 4-track Teac reel-to-reel machine.
Helped by his brother Chris Chaplin at the controls (an experienced BBC engineer who had worked on Syd Barrett sessions), surrounded by animals and “small winged creatures,” Oliver sang and played acoustic and electric guitars filtered though tape echo, distortion and multi-tracking, creating a very unique sound, a kind of DIY mutant-psychedelic-blues (think Captain Beefheart) which sounded years ahead of its time. Despite the lo-fi nature of the recording, the sound quality is amazing and timeless.
Only 250 copies of the album were pressed and it even caught the attention of the Virgin label, who were interested in distribution but Oliver finally refused their offer. Musicians like J. J. Cale expressed interest in Oliver’s music, inviting him to a jam session but in the end, Oliver decided he was not interested in the music business and left Wales to travel around Europe.
Fans of ‘Standing Stone’ will be blown away when they hear ‘Stone Unturned,’ a previously unreleased second Oliver album, recorded also in 1974 at the farm and assisted by brother Chris.
Performed by Oliver using a single mic, guitars and various effects devices, this is in the same vein as ‘Standing Stone’ but even more loose and raw. Highly recommended to any acid folk / psych blues fan. Both albums are issued with Master tape sound.
It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, January 31, 2023
Tracks
1. Clock Tick - 4:31
2. Over There - 4:15
3. Kitty - 2:40
4. Tantalize - 4:34
5. Two Guitars - 1:39
6. That's It Then - 2:59
7. Little Woman - 4:12
8. In a Hurry - 0:22
9. Noise in the Night - 5:41
10.What's Next - 2:03
11.Born Seven Years Old - 3:51
12.Down to the Woods - 2:41
13.Mesmerising Sound - 4:34
All songs by Martin Oliver Chaplin
Personnel
*Martin Oliver Chaplin - Vocals, Acoustic, Electric, Slide Guitars, Hand Percussion, Occasional Recorder, Harmonica
*Chris Chaplin - Sound Effects
