T.I.M.E. stands for Trust In Men Everywhere. Debut album of this underrated US psychedelic band ( which evolved out of a very fine, garage-pop psych band Hardtimes ) was released in 1968 by Liberty Records in attractive die-cut, gatefold cover. It contained great mixture of very catchy and memorable songs based on rich vocal harmonies and strong guitar-organ interplay and being somewhere between garage rock and pop-psych.
The music itself was very diverse, ranged from dark, atmospheric heavier tracks to much lighter sounds. It´s worth noting that the main influences to the band were The Beatles, The Byrds, The Hollies and Buffalo Springfield.
Tracks
1. Tripping Into Sunshine - 2:20
2. Label It Love - 2:28
3. Finder's Keepers - 3:13
4. Love You, Cherish You - 2:32
5. Make It Alright - 2:02
6. Let The Colors Keep On - 2:11
7. You Changed It All - 2:31
8. I Really Love You - 2:38
9. Make Love To You - 3:37
10.I Can't Find It - 2:59
11.What Can It Be - 2:20
12.Take Me Along - 3:07
13.What Would Life Be Without It (Single) - 2:32
T.I.M.E.
*Larry Byrom - Guitar
*Bill Richardson - Guitar
*Nick St. Nicholas - Bass
*Steve Rumph - Drums.
Issued in 1969 on Vanguard Records (mostly known as a folk label) this was Coryell’s second solo release. “Coryell” has also been decades out-of-print on vinyl, though reissued overseas (several times) on CD.
“Sex” opens the album with Coryell’s unusual vocal style though it is immediately apparent that the band is percolating with Rainey’s popping bass lines and Purdie’s poundings, Coryell’s solo is generational but very tasteful, as are his piano comps. “Beautiful Woman” is as ballad like as you could expect from Coryell, especially during his vocal passages, the tune moderately upshifts into appealing landscapes as Coryell (and Ron Carter’s bass) lead the proceedings with a smart and sparky jam; (*) note how Coryell really lifts off during the outro fade.
On the LP version “The Jam with Albert” is an instrumental extravaganza closing side one: It’s rhythmic, melodic, and chaotic in a good way. Purdie’s and Stinson’s bass are not only locked tight, they are intertwined setting the foundation for Coryell’s bombastic rock-jazz guitar explorations that are borderline psychedelic and hypnotic; it’s a killer 9:20 track! “Elementary Guitar Solo #5” originally opened side two’s LP, draws from J.S. Bach’s classical origins.
Shortly after the theme is initiated, Rainey, Purdie and Mike Mandel’s piano veer towards improvisational rock, (note Rainey’s bass lines – wow), as Coryell gradually pushes the pedal and accelerates. At the end there is a fitting (second) nod to Bach, too. Julie Coryell’s “No One Really Knows” brings back husband Larry’s singing, but it doesn’t last long with an (instrumental) directional deviation as a nice (somewhat spacey) jam unravels.
“Morning Sickness” originates as a fascinating instrumental that finds Rainey and Purdie in familiar surroundings setting their funky and signature styles – becomes unhinged when Coryell rips into another creative guitar solo in tandem with the famous rhythm section. The finale is the second Julie Coryell inclusion, this time instrumentally, it is the first time I noticed Jim Pepper’s flute; “Ah Wuv Ooh” is a very well written well thought out song that is also pretty and bright.
by Bob Putignano
Larry Coryell died Sunday, February 19th 2017, in New York City. Coryell, 73, passed away in his sleep at his hotel from natural causes. He’d performed his last two shows on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, at the Iridium in New York City.
Tracks
1. Sex - 3:51
2. Beautiful Woman - 4:32
3. The Jam With Albert - 9:20
4. Elementary Guitar Solo #5 - 6:49
5. No One Really Knows (Julie Coryell) - 5:07
6. Morning Sickness - 5:20
7. Ah Wuv Ooh (Julie Coryell) - 4:22
All songs by Larry Coryell except where noted
Hard Times was a 1960s psychedelic garage rock band originally featuring Rudy Romero (vocals), Lee Keifer (vocals, guitar), Bill Richardson (lead guitar), Bob Morris (bass guitar), and Paul Wheatbread (drums). After relocating to L.A. to work with manager Florence Stanley, they made frequent appearances on Dick Clark's local TV show Where The Action Is and were the house band for a time at the Whisky A Go-Go.
They signed with World Pacific Records (a division of Liberty Records) in 1966, releasing several singles. Lee Keifer departed for a solo career (replaced by Larry Byrom) before their debut (and only) album Blew Mind was released by World Pacific in 1967.
After Bill Richardson quit, with only singer Rudy Romero, bassist Bob Morris, and drummer Paul Wheatbread remaining from Hard Times, the group released a single under the name New Phoenix, "Give To Me Your Love" b/w "Thanks" (World Pacific, 1968), produced by Mama Cass. After Rudy Romero left to launch his own solo career, the band split for good. Drummer Paul Wheatbread became a founding member of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.
Guitarist Bill Richardson joined fellow former Hard Times player Larry Byrom in a psychedelic rock band named T.I.M.E. (Trust In Men Everywhere), alongside former Sparrows (aka Steppenwolf) member Nick St. Nicholas and drummer Steve Rumph.
Signed to the Hard Times' old label World Pacific Records, T.I.M.E. released a debut self-titled full-length in 1968, promoted with singles for "Make It Alright" and the non-album track "What Would Like Be Without It." After its release, St. Nicholas quit to rejoin the Sparrow (by then renamed Steppenwolf) and was replaced by Richard Tepp (Richard and the Young Lions), while Steve Rumph was replaced by Pat Couchois.
A sophomore album recorded with producer Al Schmidt, Smooth Ball, was released by Liberty Records in 1969. More psychedelic and hard rock than their debut effort, the album is highlighted by the ten-minute jam track "Morning Come."
Bill Richardson, who also managed local movie theaters, later became known as lounge singer and OB karaoke host Jose Sinatra.
Tracks
1. Preparation G - 0:52
2. Leavin' My Home - 3:07
3. See Me As I Am - 5:46
4. I Think You'd Cry - 4:20
5. I'll Write A Song - 4:20
6. Lazy Day Blues - 1:44
7. Do You Feel It - 2:30
8. Flowers - 2:39
9. Morning Come - 10:03
10.Trust In Men Everywhere - 5:01
All songs arranged by T.I.M.E. The T.I.M.E.
*Bill Richardson - Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Vocals
*Larry Byrom - Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Vocals
*Pat Couchois - Drums
*Richard Tepp - Bass Guitar
In progressive rock circles, Magna Carta are a bit like the Little Engine That Could -- from relatively modest beginnings in 1969, they've endured across 36 years and counting, even as their louder, more heavily amplified rivals from the same era have long since been consigned to history. Acts such as King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer may be better (and much more widely) known, but Magna Carta have stayed together, making music decades longer.
The group was founded in 1969 by Chris Simpson (who also sang) and Lyell Tranter on acoustic Gibson guitars and Glen Stuart singing harmony. Formed in London, they made their debut at the Coalhole Folk Club in Cambridge, and coming off of the enthusiastic response to the ten songs they did that night, Magna Carta were rolling. They were not, strictly speaking, a pure folk group even then, but utilized folk and traditional elements very heavily in their songwriting and sound, in a manner similar to that adopted by John David Gladwin and Terry Wincott of the Amazing Blondel at approximately the same time.
by Bruce Eder
Tracks
1. Times Of Change - 2:50
2. Daughter Daughter - 4:08
3. Old John Parker - 2:47
4. I Am No More - 4:14
5. Ballad Of Francis Alabadalejo - 5:22
6. Spinning Wheels Of Time - 3:23
7. Romeo Jack - 3:39
8. Mid Winter - 3:35
9. Shades Of Grey - 3:13
10.Emily Thru' The Window Pane - 3:31
11.Sea And Sand - The Isle Of Pabay - 3:25
12.Seven O'Clock Hymn - 6:18
13.Seven O'Clock Hymn / Mid Winter (Live) - 12:50
All Music and Lyrics by Chris Simpson
As lead singer of Manfred Mann during their early run of hits such as "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy," "Pretty Flamingo," and many, many others, Paul Jones was far more influential than people realize. Artists such as Arthur Lee have cited him as a primary influence, and for that fact alone, he should be recognized. After leaving Mann in 1966, Jones made one of the greatest cult films of all time, 1967's Privilege.
This, though, his solo debut, is another step altogether. Always one of the more literate rockers of his era, Jones spends most of his time on this album making fun of stardom and all that goes with it. Hotel rooms, groupies, and the general grind of it all is the subject matter here, and it's all quite a bit of fun. As far as the music goes, much of it is more laid-back than anything Jones did with Manfred Mann, with a lot of country leanings.
Thomas Jefferson Kaye's production is a bit heavy-handed -- which is not much of a suprise. But in the end, it is an interesting record, sounding very much like a roots-oriented David Bowie record, slashing the tires of a car named "stardom."
by Matthew Greenwald
Tracks
1. Life After Death (Paul Jones) - 3:21
2. Motel Blues (Loudon Wainwright III) - 4:00
3. And You Say I'm Too Dependent On My Mind (Paul Jones) - 6:01
4. Construction Worker's Song (Paul Jones) - 5:30
5. Song (For Stan Stunning And The Noodle Queen) (Paul Jones) - 3:40
6. The Pod That Came Back (Paul Jones) - 4:13
7. The Mighty Ship (Artie Resnick, Pat Poor) - 3:40
8. Who Are The Masters (Kris Resnick, Paul Jones, Rupert Holmes) - 3:32
9. Strangely Human Sound (Kris Resnick, Rupert Holmes) - 3:47
Magna Carta was founded in April, 1969, and is one of the longest running bands in the world today.
The band has seen a number of personnel changes, but the common factor has always been Chris Simpson. Song writer, poet, accoustic guitar player and vocalist, he has been largely responsible for the band's unique sound, and has had uncanny success in gathering high quality musicians around him. He founded the band with Lyell Tranter, guitarist, and Glen Stuart, vocalist extraordinaire, and their first professional gig was at the Cambridge Folk Festival. A year later the band cut the first of their 30 odd albums, six of which have gone Gold, and three Silver.
The essence of Magna Carta for the last twenty years has been Chris Simpson and Linda Simpson. Chris has been singing with Linda since 1984. They have been joined in recent years by Matt Barnhoorn, an outstanding Dutch fiddle player. In concert and on record they play with a variety of fine musicians, some of whom have been associated with Magna Carta for a long time. They continue to tour extensively.
This lavishly packaged, sprawling anthology is a fitting summary of Magna Carta’s varied discography. In the late 60s there were several approaches to folk music. Some, such as Fairport Convention, mined the traditional music of the past to reveal the rough vitality at its heart.
Others used the style and instrumentation - acoustic guitars, mandolins to create what was really soft-focus pop. This is not to denigrate the music that they created: those who took the latter course, like Magna Carta, had a lasting impact which can still be heard in the music of artists from David Gray to Badly Drawn Boy. Magna Carta’s early music was extremely pretty and indebted to Simon & Garfunkel and even Peter, Paul & Mary, but Chris Simpson’s songwriting always has a distinctive English flavour and, even when almost insufferably twee - Autumn Song, delights with its period charm and ravishingly beautiful warm sound.
The music ranges from folk-pop to rock and blues, and although the 80s pick offer some distractingly period keyboards, this carefully compiled selection provides an excellent overview of a songwriter quietly dedicated to his art.
by William Pinfold
Tracks Disc 1
1. Midwinter - 3:32
2. Airport Song - 3:43
3. Elizabethan - 2:38
4. Autumn Song/Epilogue - 4:14
5. Time For The Leaving - 4:09
6. Sponge (Davey Johnstone) - 2:22
7. Wayfarin' - 3:47
8. Roll On - 3:07
9. Wish It Was - 3:35
10.Two Old Friends - 3:35
11.Father John - 6:43
12.Isn't It Funny - 2:34
13.Nothing So Bad - 3:50
14.Mixed Up Sensations/Old Man - 5:38
15.I'm Gonna Take You Down - 3:22
16.You Are Only What You Are - 3:43
17.Stop Bringing Me Down - 3:48
18.One Man's Heaven - 4:30
19.You And I - 4:27
20.Forever - 2:56
Words and Music by Chris Simpson except where stated Disc 2
1. Slowbone - 3:01
2. Love On The Wire - 4:17
3. Visions In A Crowd - 5:00
4. Putting It Back Together - 3:15
5. Highway To Spain - 3:54
6. Danny - 3:05
7. Wild Geese - 4:21
8. Sting Of The Gin - 3:18
9. Wind On The Water - 5:03
10.Midnight Blue - 4:14
11.Blues For A Long Road Home - 3:50
12.For The Gypsy - 3:56
13.Pictures In My Pillow - 4:19
14.No Truth In The Rumour - 4:11
15.Winterlude/Ulysses - 7:02
16.Greenfields - 4:48
17.Columbus - 5:35
18.Seasons In The Tide - 4:52
Lyrics and Music by Chris Simpson
Panta Rei is attributed to Heraticlus thoughts about change. Panta Rei meaning everything flows in ancient Greek. And this is exactly what you get in this album. Originally issued on the Harvest label in 1973, this is a wonderful stream of trippy Heavy Swedish prog with an intensely groovy jazz-rock & fuzz oriented approach that comes close to Frank Zappa circa “Hot rats”, with some spacey-freaked-out atmospheres and an underlying Canterbury feel.
The guitar work is predominant and menacing, whereas the all English lyrics and the rich musical texture that feeds on layers of flutes, maracas, timbales, harmonica and impressive percussion, make for a truly majestic album.
Tracks
1. Five Steps (Georg Tolin, Lars Holmer) - 3:11
2. White Bells (Georg Tolin) - 6:53
3. Five O'Clock Freak (Thomas Arnesen) - 9:44
4. The Knight (Georg Tolin, Thomas Arnesen, John Hogman) - 13:44
5. The Turk (Lars Eriksson, Thomas Arnesen) - 4:10
Epsilon was founded 1970 in Marburg, Germany, by members of Orange Peel and Nosferatu (the vocalist / guitarist Michael Winzkowski), the band Epsilon published three LPs between 1971 and 1974. Their self title can be considered as their best, a nicely varied and achieved combination between heavy blues rockin' sections and coherent progressive skills.
Their second 'Move on' (1971) represents a more mainstream rock album with a few enjoyable moments. With the album 'Epsilon off' (1974) the band turn to a straight heavy rockin' trip.
Tracks
1. I've Been Moving - 4:16
2. A New Day - 3:35
3. On the Road - 5:55
4. Ode to John - 3:55
5. Behind the Boarder (Heinrich Ochs, Johan Daansen) - 1:14
6. Logo-Motive - 5:57
7. Let's Sit Down - 3:45
8. Open Your Eyes - 3:06
9. Sadness - 3:46
10.I Know How (Armin Bannach, Johan Daansen) - 3:12
All songs written by Michael Winzkowski, Johan Daansen except where noted.
Orange Peel's first single "I Got No Time" / "Searching For A Place To Hide" (not including on their full length debut release) featured Michael Winzkowski (also of Nosferatu and Epsilon), and they proved quite seminal, with Heinrich Mohn later following Winzkowski to Epsilon, Peter Bischof moving on to Emergency, and Curt Cress becoming amongst the most prolific of drummers. Orange Peel's LP was amongst the most psychedelic of heavy progressive albums, not least side one's opus "You Can't Change Them All", a veritable masterwork of heavy riffing organ rock, kind of Egg and Pink Floyd jamming Krautrock style, featuring vast guitar excursions, and Peter Bischof's gutsy blues vocals.
And then there's "We Still Try To Change" encompassing half of the second side, which trips out beyond the realms of side one's opus, The odd track out is an unusual arrangement of "Tobacco Road".
The album is not only one of the earlier heavy krautrocks efforts, but also of great historical interest. It´s one of the first albums to be made in the legendary Dierks Studio in Cologne and also marked the start of then 17 years old drummer Curt Cress. The music on the album belongs to the category of vintage progressive rock with a lot of extended instrumental solos, not leased on "You can´t change them all" covered the whole side one of the original album (now completed with the 7" track "I Got No Time").
Orange Peel offers everything an album from this genre should... crazy frenzied guitar work , heavy organ whisps and tons of nice heavy keys, mind altering music and instrumentation, with great drum and bass interplay all creating a true heavy psychedelic monster. Four long exploratory tracks with tons of vintage keyboards creating a wonderful wall of sound. This is a classic album of the early krautrock era.
Tracks
1 You Can't Change Them All (Hänf, Ralph Wiltheiß) - 18:16
2 Faces That I Used to Know (Heinrich Mohn, Curt Cress, Leslie Link, Ralph Wiltheiß, Peter Bischof) - 3:13
3 Tobacco Road (John D. Loudermilk) - 7:17
4 We Still Try to Change (Heinrich Mohn, Curt Cress, Leslie Link, Ralph Wiltheiß, Peter Bischof) - 10:05
The Orange Peel
*Peter Bischof - Vocals, Percussion
*Curt Cress - Drums, Percussion
*Leslie Link - Guitar
*Heinrich "Heini" Mohn - Bass
*Ralph Wiltheiß - Organ
Peter Kaukonen is the younger brother of Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonen. He was born in September 1945, Topeka, Kansas, USA. and began his career playing blues and folk prior to forming a bluegrass group in 1964 while studying at the University of Stockholm in Sweden. Having moved to California, Kaukonen became member of Petrus. The group recorded an unissued album for A&M Records before folding after which Kaukonen moved to San Francisco.
He enjoyed close ties with Jefferson Airplane, playing on spin-off releases Blows Against The Empire and Sunfighter, before recording for the group’s Grunt label. Kaukonen’s group, Black Kangaroo, formed in 1971, initially comprised of Mario Cipollina (bass) and Bill Gibson (drums), both later of Huey Lewis And The News. However, Peter Kaukonen: Black Kangaroo featured Larry Knight (b. Larry Weissberg; bass) and Joey Covington (drums; ex-Hot Tuna /Jefferson Airplane). Their only album is a hard-edged collection, showing the influence of Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Winter, with whom Kaukonen worked briefly when Black Kangaroo split up in 1972.
Kaukonen was offered the role of bass player in Jefferson Starship but opted to work as a solo artist. He recorded Traveller, an all-instrumental set, between 1980 and 1984. It did not secure a commercial release, although Kaukonen sold cassette copies at his live appearances. He also revived Black Kangaroo on two occasions. In 1977 he fronted a line-up completed by Stable Brown (bass) and a drummer dubbed ‘Stavros’. A third version, featuring Keith Ferguson (bass) and Jimmy Gillen (drums) was active at the end of the 70s, but it folded when Ferguson left. He later helped form the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
by James Chrispell
Tracks
1. Up Or Down - 3:50
2. Postcard - 5:20
3. What We All Know And Love - 4:48
4. Billy's Tune - 4:58
5. Barking Dog Blues - 4:05
6. Dynamo Snackbar - 3:57
7. Prisoner - 4:57
8. That's A Good Question - 5:12
9. Solid To The Ground - 3:34
10.Solitary Confinement - 2:33
11.Unsatisfactory Sex - 3:48
12.Up Or Down - 4:41
13.Kangaroo Kommercial - 0:34
All songs by Peter Kaukonen
