The Creation - The Complete Collection (1966-68 uk, astonishing mod beat psych, double disc edition)

If this world were truly fair and just then The Creation should’ve been HUGE. I mean I should be able to call up my local oldies rock station that plays “Wild Thing” by The Troggs when it feels like gittin’ down and hear “Making Time” and “How Does It Feel To Feel?” at least 20 times a day shouldn’t I? However this is not the case. Yet The Creation remains a righteous, rocking band unafraid of indulging in Psychedelic whimsy. They shouldn’t be left at the bottom of history’s trash bin so here’s my humble review for you.

If you were to ask me “Le Sam how aware of The Creation were you before this collection came out?” I’d have to ‘fess and say “not much.” Outside of knowing who their #1 fan was - Alan McGee, head of Creation records - I knew nada. McGee obviously named his highly influential record label after them and before that was in a band named after one of the Creation’s B-sides “Biff Bang Pow!” I believe they’re on the new huge sequel to Nuggets which covers the the non-American garage rock scene as well. 

What I really love about this comp. is how Guitarist Eddie Phillips like the best of the 1960’s UK guitar alchemists (Townsend, Richards, Clapton, Beck, Page, Harrison, Lennon, the Davies bros., Marriot, Barrett and many others) and the rest of The Creation channel raunchy sass one minute then sensitive pathos the next. The Creation’s debut single “Making Time” makes this intensely clear as Phillips makes the guitar sounds during the “solo” like one big long vicous breakdown with a little bit o' Tourette’s syndrome thrown in. 

All the while Vocalist Kenny Pickett raggedly reflects opining “Why do we have to carry on? Are we singing the same old song?” Later, you get the half anthemic rave-up/half anthemic gentle reflection of last night’s romantic triste of “For All That I Am.” Here Pickett reminisces dreamily while the band just pounds at him relentlessly. Phillips was the first using a violin bow on his guitar (this idea was later jacked by Jimmy Page in Zep.) Their best tunes have a Mod-ish sense of humor (almost Who/Kinks-like) and no wonder ultra-hip production god (and early Who/Kinks knob twiddler) Shel Talmy produced the whole of this (both mono and stereo versions as well.) This whole collections just screams "The party starts right now!” and that alone should be reason enough to buy it. 

This collection is like a half Singles Collection/Half Odds & Sods thang (I’m not sure if The Creation ever made a full length LP.) You get both mono and stereo versions of a few songs and some kick-ass live versions from a German beat show (where they were major stars in Germany.) The mastering is sublime making Phillips sound more fercious and the band more mighty. If you do indeed feel this disc be more than sure to get Vol. 2 of the Complete Collection called Biff Bang Pow! 

by Le Samourai, 01/09/2001

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Making Time (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:56

2. Try And Stop Me (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:26

3. How Does It Feel To Feel (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:03

4. Tom Tom (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 2:57

5. Nightmares (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:12

6. If I Stay Too Long (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:23

7. How Does It Feel To Feel (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 2:39

8. For All That I Am (Paul Kahan, Stephen Friedland) - 3:04

9. Uncle Bert (Jack Jones, Kenny Pickett, Kim Gardner, Ron Wood) - 2:33

10.Cool Jerk (Donald Storball) - 2:18

11.Bony Maronie (Larry Williams) - 3:29

12.Ostrich Man (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:02

13.I Am The Walker (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:45

14.For All That I Am (Paul Kahan, Stephen Friedland) - 3:09

15.Nightmares (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:13

16.How Does It Feel To Feel (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:38

17.Instrumental #1 (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 2:51

18.I'm A Man (Ellas McDaniels) - 3:03

19.That's How Strong My Love Is (Roosevelt Jamison) - 2:32

20.Making Time (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:13

Disc 2

1. Biff Bang Pow (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:25

2. Painter Man (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:53

3. Life Is Just Beginning (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 2:57

4. Through My Eyes (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:05

5. Midway Down (John Wonderling, Lewis Shapiro) - 2:44

6. The Girls Are Naked (Bob Garner, Jack Jones, Kenny Pickett) - 1:57

7. Can I Join Your Band? (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:03

8. Sweet Helen (Kenny Pickett) - 3:00

9. Hey Joe (Billy Roberts) - 4:10

10.Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan) - 3:04

11.Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Joe Zawinul, Johnny Guitar Watson, Larry Williams) - 2:32

12.Sylvette (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:28

13.Biff Bang Pow (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:24

14.Painter Man (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:51

15.Can I Join Your Band? (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 3:04

16.Midway Down (John Wonderling, Lewis Shapiro) - 3:01

17.Life Is Just Beginning (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:58

18.Life Is Just Beginning (Bob Garner, Eddie Phillips) - 3:22

19.Painter Man (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:19

20.Try And Stop Me (Eddie Phillips, Kenny Pickett) - 2:20

The Creation

*Kenny Pickett - Vocals

*Eddie Phillips - Guitar 

*Bob Garner - Bass 

*Jack Jones - Drums

*Dave Preston - Drums

*Ron Wood - Guitar  

*Tony Ollard - Guitar  

1964-66  The Creation - How Does It Feel To Feel  

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The Legendary Night Shadows - Vol. 3: The Psychedelic Years (1967-69 us, great garage psych rock, 2002 edition)

The group was originally formed in December 1956 as The Cavaliers, with the spelling was changed to The Kavaliers in 1957 to avoid legal problems with another group using that name. After some personnel changes in the summer of 1959 the group became The Barons. In the fall of 1959 the lead guitarist wrote an instrumental he called Night Shadows that the bass player thought was the perfect name for the group. Assuming leadership of the band and against everyone's wishes, he changed their name to The Night Shadows on their business cards and quickly booked several months of gigs to make everyone relent. From the fall of 1959 through 1961 The Night Shadows were primarily a Chicago-style blues band. In 1962 the group changed to a rhythm & blues show band featuring Little Erv (Barocas) & Judy Argo, an Elizabeth Taylor look-alike, as headliners. For the next two years, the group became one of the most popular R&B bands for racially segregated Southern college dances and formals.

In 1964 the British Invasion changed the group's primary direction to rock, with Erv and Judy departing the group. Fourteen year old Little Phil Rosenberg was picked as their replacement to front the group in 1965. Johnny Brooks (3), a studio engineer and producer Aleck Janoulis had worked with on sessions since 1959, had opened his own recording facility and was seeking artists with original material. This gave the group an opportunity to record both the tunes Little Phil had collaborated on and some others that Janoulis had written. The end result was a label deal with Dot Records and a single "So Much" featured Little Phil as lead singer. The other band members were Jimmy Callaway (guitar), Bobby Newell (organ), Charles Spinks (drums) and Aleck Janoulis (bass). 

The Vietnam draft complicated the group's plans, though another single "60 Second Swinger" was released on Gaye Records. Due to contractual obligations the group then recorded for Baja Records under the pseudonym The Square Root Of Two. This name later became the title of their 1968 psychedelic album on Spectrum Stereo. Due to internal conflicts the band split up after their last concert on Memorial Day in 1969.

Tracks

1. Prologue (Voice Of Electric Bob) - 3:40

2. So Much (1967 Version) (Little Phil Jackson) - 2:17

3. I Can't Believe (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 9:39

4. Plenty Of Trouble (Little Phil Jackson) - 1:53

5. In The Air (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 2:53

6. Anything But Lies (Time After Time) (Aleck Janoulis) - 3:46

7. Gimme, Gimme (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 3:05

8. Don't Hold Your Breath (Jan Cox) - 2:45

9. Listen To My Heart (Demo Session) (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 3:01

10.Fly High (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 6:10

11.60 Second Swinger (Wbad Concert) (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 3:19

12.Psychedelic Illusion (Aleck Janoulis) - 2:53

13.Little Phil Jokes With The Audience - 2:11

14.Anything But Lies (The Lost Live Version) (Aleck Janoulis, Bobby Newell, Ronnie Farmer) - 4:41

15.Turned On (Jan Cox) - 3:46

16.The Hot Dog Man (Stoned Version) (Edgar, Aleck Janoulis) - 2:30

17.Epilogue: Fly High Reprise (Aleck Janoulis, Little Phil Jackson) - 2:12

18.Excerpt From A 1979 Radio Broadcast (A Retrospective On The Legendary Little Phil & The Night Shadows) - 2:10

19.The Garbage Man (1961) (Aleck Janoulis) - 3:31

The Legendary Night Shadows

*Little Phil Jackson - Lead Vocals

*Aleck “Aj” Janoulis - Bass, Vocals

*Ronnie Farmer - Guitar, Vocals

*Bobby Newell - Organ, Guitar, Vocals

*Charles Spinks - Drums

With

*Pat Andrews - Drums

*“Microwave Dave” Gallagher - Guitar, Bass, Drums

*Danny Stephens - Bass

*Barry Bailey - Guitar

*Electric Bob - Tambourine

*Andy Douglass - Organ

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Various Artists - Tea And Symphony (1968-74 uk, beautiful baroque psych pop, 2020 issue)

The English baroque sound of the late 60s and early 70s shunned guitar solos for string quartets and woodwind, drenched in summer-into-autumn melancholy, as heard on this collection of the genre’s finest moments.

When psychedelia had run its course in Britain, the predominant trend was to get hairier, heavier and more long-winded. Some reverted to the pure blues boom of the mid-60s, with Fleetwood Mac leading the way; some toughened up, forging the first wave of heavy metal; some loosened up, bringing jazz and folk into the equation and creating what would become known as progressive rock; others found solace in the rural sloth of the Band. Many musicians, however, were still hung up on the trappings of psychedelia’s homegrown strain, having found a musical home in its mournful evocations of Victoriana, its village green gentility, its nods to the pleasures of suburbia and its church bells softly chiming.

As the advent of the singer-songwriter offered another possible avenue for these refuseniks, a new brand of pop was discernible – the English baroque sound. It made great use of string quartets, woodwind, and summer-into-autumn melancholy. This was a sound informed by the Zombies’ “Odessey And Oracle”, the weighty chamber pop of the Bee Gees and Scott Walker, with a contemporary dash of Crosby, Stills & Nash harmony; it would survive as a viable format until surprisingly late, with some tracks on this compilation nudging the mid-70s. The urtexts had all been Paul McCartney’s: the bereft strings of ‘Eleanor Rigby’; the buttoned-up, parlour arrangement of ‘For No One’; ‘Your Mother Should Know’’s sepia nostalgia and insistent piano; the entire acoustic corner of “The White Album”. Just add harpsichord and a cor anglais to the mix, and there it was.

The first “Tea & Symphony” collection was released in 2007 on the Sanctuary label. The first official compilation of its kind, it was partly inspired by the groundbreaking, European-based “Fading Yellow” series which, since the turn of the new century, had been feeding and informing pop-hungry 60s/70s fans looking for something a little more melodic than Comus or Leafhound. Unfortunately, the sudden demise of the record company meant “Tea & Symphony” hardly made it into the shops. This compilation has four tracks in common with its ancient ancestor.

To the delight of people who thought the mine was exhausted, previously undiscovered gems by artists such as Matthew Bones, Erasmus Chorum and Les Payne continue to be unearthed. Here are 23 of the genre’s finest moments. Make yourself a pot of tea, find yourself a comfy armchair, place a ginger cat on your lap, and sit back.

by Bob Stanley

Artist - Track - Composer

1. Ray Brooks – Pictures (Ray Brooks) - 3:06

2. The Honeybus - I Can't Let Maggie Go (Pete Dello) - 2:56

3. Lea Nixon - Off To Find A New Land (Lea Nixon) - 3:41

4. Jon Plum - Alice (Dave Plummer, Jon Kennett) - 3:35

5. Bombadil - When The City Sleeps (Lester Forest) - 4:12

6. Mike Batt - Fading Yellow (Mike Batt) - 3:43

7. Colin Blunstone - Say You Don't Mind (Denny Laine) - 3:18

8. Gordon Waller - The Seventh Hour (Gordon Waller) - 2:29

9. Erasmus Chorum - Mary Jane (Erasmus Chorum) - 6:24

10.Tandem - Shapes And Shadows (Alan Bohling, Ray Redway) - 2:30

11.Nirvana - Please Believe Me (Patrick Campbell-Lyons) - 3:00

12.Vigrass And Osborne - Forever Autumn (Gary Osborne, Paul Vigrass) - 2:55

13.Richard Henry - Oh Girl (Richard Henry, Ted Fraser) - 2:48

14.Les Payne - Very Well (Les Payne) - 3:51

15.Sunchariot - You're Lovely (Gavin Dare) - 3:57

16.Mike Sedgewick – Pollution Song (Mike Sedgewick) - 3:23

17.Bill Kenwright - Epitaph (When Times Were Good) (Bill Kenwright, Jeff Daniels) - 4:27

18.Clifford T Ward - Coathanger (Clifford T Ward) - 2:47

19.Christopher - The Race (Christopher Neil) - 2:25

20.David McIvor - Closing My Eyes (Peter Green) - 5:05

21.The Bliss - Lifetime (Andy Pegg, Martin Berry, Roger Hurn) - 2:44

22.Matthew Bones - Two Sugars (Matthew Bones) - 3:03

1967-73  Honeybus - She Flies Like A Bird The Anthology  

1967  Nirvana - The Story of Simon Simopath (2003 remaster and expanded)   

1968  Nirvana - All Of Us (2003 extra tracks issue)
1969  Nirvana - To Markos III (2003 issue)
1972  Nirvana - Songs Of Love And Praise (2005 japan remastrer)

1973  Nirvana And Patrick Campbell Lyons - Me And My Friend (2017 remaster)

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Circus - Circus (1973 us, fine classic rock power pop)

Circus blasted out of Cleveland's college bar scene in 1972 with their local smash hit "Stop Wait and Listen", a classic combination of midwest rock/power pop sounds (a'la Raspberries and Blue Ash) that is one of the most memorable local recordings of the time, and is still covered by local bands.

Although we don't have a lot of details yet, Circus included guitarist Dan Hrdlicka (the writer of "Stop..."), singer Phil Alexander (who sported a "Ziggy Stardust" Bowie style haircut, very helpful when Cleveland went Ziggy crazy in late '72....), Tommy Dobeck (drums), Frank Salle (bass), and Mick Sabol (guitar), at least on the 45 and LP. On August 27, 1971, Circus competed against 5 other bands for a $1000 prize and a recording contract with RCA records. The event was televised live on WEWS Channel 5 as part of a Neil Sedaka TV show primarily intended to kick off a comeback. (For the record, the bands competing with Circus were One Yere, Jessup, Symbols Of Sound, Magic, and the Erector Set). 

The band recorded some stuff for RCA but they passed the band along to Metromedia, a label best known for Bobby Sherman and some very rare underground rock LPs. The songs that appeared on the 45 were recorded at Agency Recording, with the band actually doing the chorus echo parts live! Metromedia also released a follow up 45, "Feel So Right". This one didn't do as well, but Metromedia decided to release an LP anyway. In some strange arrangement the LP appears to resemble a private press, although it got distribution in many parts of the country.

The huge success of "Stop..." got the band much notoriety, and caused some problems when 1000s of fans showed up at school gig, detailed via press clippings on the LP back cover. Not long after the LP was released, Dan Hrdlicka left the band to join Magic (announced to happen on Aug 1, 1973), and the Balzer brothers (Craig and Bruce), late of Ambleside, joined. 

The band did some addtional recording but after slugging it out in the club scene for another year or so, disbanded. Tommy Dobeck (who was 15-6 years old when he joined Circus) joined the Michael Stanley band, while the Balzers formed 747. Phil Alexander and Mick Sabol recruited a new band to play out as Circus, including Al Globokar (guitar), Norm Issac (bass), and Frank Lauter (drums). Lauter was replaced by Myron Grombacher, in turn replaced by Stu Leyta. This lineup lasted for a year or so.

In 1978 a 45 turned up in local stores credited to Circus. This was a 'project' initiated by singer/producer Barry Ross and included Mick Sabol (who is credited with the songs) and Phil Alexander.

BuckEyeBeat

Tracklist

1. Stop Wait And Listen (Dan Hrdlicka) - 3:00

2. When I'm Gone (Phil Alexander) - 2:43

3. The Sea: Jonahs Fable (Frank Salle, Phil Alexander, Mick Sabol) - 5:15

4. My Captain - 3:24

5. Feel So Right (Dan Hrdlicka, Phil Alexander) - 2:43

6. Don't You Worry (Phil Alexander) - 2:34

7. Lullaby For Michael And Lisa (Phil Alexander) - 4:54

8. I Need Your Love (Dan Hrdlicka) - 3:00

9. Lets Have A Party (Dan Hrdlicka) - 2:28

Circus

*Phil Alexander - Vocals, Organ, Piano

*Mick Sabol - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

*Dan Hrdlicka - Vocals, Lead, 12 String Guitars

*Frank Salle - Vocals, Bass

*Tom Dobeck - Drums

With

*Rich Reising - Organ, Piano

*Mario Demurier - Piano, Moog  Synthesizer

*Bruce Balzer - Vocals

*Craig Balzer - Vocals

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Companion - Reap The Lost Dreamers (1974 us, fabulous mildy prog rock, 2002 edition)

 After the release of Leviathan's self-titled album, some elements of the band were continued under the name of Companion, led by Wain Bradley, Brit Warner & Mike Russell, who went on to release their one & only album, 'Reap Of The Lost Dreamers' (1974) - a mosaic of inspired vocal harmonies & fresh Tennessee psych. An obscure gem ready for rediscovery! Also includes the bonus track 'Anytime, Anywhere'.

When Grady Trimble decided to leave the band and go home, we needed a guitarist. I had played with Brit Warner in the Changin Tymes and I knew what a great player and singer he was. So the last 6 months we worked as a band, Brit folded in. Musically, it was the best we ever were. Brit was a much more versatile player and was a quality singer. Between Pete, Brit and myself, our vocals could stand with anyone. By then however, to many damaged egos and the band was over. 

Brit and I had been talking and writing music, and we wanted to create a project with other invited players. After Leviathan, he and I had access to a nice studio and we would go there at night and track our material. What a wonderful, exciting time. We put together this musical puzzle and had no idea what we were doing. We would talk about sounds or effects and then figure out how to create them. Some would just be mistakes when we plugged up something wrong and loved it. Total head candy. Once the material was mixed, we had been approached by some investors in Memphis who liked what we did and they wanted to press an album as a demo to shop to labels. We became Companion and that album became Reap the Lost Dreamers. They pressed a thousand and most were given away or sent to radio stations. We did get good college airplay. 

Theband live was very experimental. Lots of vocals, layered guitars and synths. We used massive equipment and had a very melodic sound. Very prog for Memphis.

by Wain Bradley, March 10, 2012

Tracks

1. Blackbird (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:21

2. To The Better Days (Beth Nielsen Chapman, Brit Warner) - 3:48

3. The Child Goes On (Brit Warner) - 4:18

4. The Lonely Reaper (Brit Warner) - 6:23

5. Prelude To The Lost Dreamers / Wine For Dreamers / Dreamer's Final (Mike Russell, Wain Bradley) - 7:41

6. You Will Know (Brit Warner, Mike Russell, Wain Bradley) - 2:55

7. Lost My Past To You (Ginnie Cannon, Wain Bradley) - 6:01

8. Second Chance (Brit Warner, Wain Bradley) - 3:24

9. Anytyme, Anywhere (Brit Warner) - 4:44

Bonus Track 9

Companion

*Wain Bradley - Vocals, Bass, Keyboards

*Brit Warner - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

*Mike Russell - Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, ARP, Vocals

*Andy Tate - Guitars, Vocals

With

*Shof Beavers - Drums, Percussion

Related Act

1974  Leviathan - Leviathan (2012 bonus tracks edition)  

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Riff Raff - Outside Looking In (1972 uk, splendid jazz prog rock)

Riff Raff brings together four men of varying musical experiences whose sound spans both rock and modern jazz but cannot be pigeonholed in either camp.

Their music is their own; they write, arrange and produce themselves, and the result is music of today that succeeds in avoiding the self-indulgence of many of their contemporaries. They named themselves Riff Raff with tongues firmly in cheek, although the name serves to emphasize the individuality of each member of the band. All four musicians have known or known of each other for a couple of years or more: that goes double for bassist Roger Sutton and keyboard man Tommy Eyre, who both ended a two-year run with the Mark-Almond band during the Summer of 1972; guitarist Pete Kirtley is a Geordie last seen as an Alan Price sideman; and percussionist Aureo de Souza hails, as all good percussionists should, from Rio de Janeiro.

Tommy Eyre plays Fender Rhodes electric piano, organ, six- and 12-string guitar, concert and bass flute. He was classically trained on the piano from the age of three (an infant prodigy as they say), and should be best known as the keyboardist in Joe Cocker's original Grease Band (indeed he played on and arranged Joe's cover of "With A Little Help From My Friends"). Later joined Aynsley Dunbar's Retaliation (with Roger Sutton) with whom he made two albums. When Aynstey left to join Zappa, Tommy had a brief period with Juicy Lucy and then moved on to Mark-Almond. Roger Sutton's bass is a specially-made fretless Fender, to which he adds cello, double bass, and six- and twelve-string guitars. He has been a pro musician since he was 17, and played his first starring part as bassist for Brian Auger's Trinity in the days of Julie Driscoll: several Sutton numbers were recorded by Jools and the band. Next came Aynsley Dunbar's Blue Whale (with Tommy Eyre), Heavy Jelly, and in mid-1970 - Mark-Almond. Roger is one of Riff Raff's main sources of original material.

Riff Raff 

The amalgam of jazz, rock, and soul was intoxicating and was a fine emotional alternative to the Canterbury bands, which were much more concerned with complexity than groove. The music included here features all seven of those original finished tracks as well as the first four recordings of the final band lineup after Marshall and Slade left. Guitarist Peter Kirtley and Brazilian drummer Aureo de Souza replaced them. Saxophonist Bud Beadle later joined the band as well. 

This is a heady, seductive brew of energetic, soulful jazz-rock -- recorded after fusion but more a real amalgam than a completely new genre of music like that of the Mahavishnu Orchestra or Miles Davis' experiments of the time. Individual tunes don't so much matter, as the album is sequenced almost as a series of segues. The interplay among soloists here and the sheer musicality separate this band from virtually everyone else on the scene at the time, with the possible exception of their former employers. This is for collectors to be sure, but it is nonetheless revelatory music and should be sought out by anyone interested in anything other than Top 40 from the era. 

by Thom Jurek

Tracks

1. Outside Looking In - 9:12

2. The Blind Man - 8:16

3. Bach B. Minor Prelude - 2:58

4. Feeling Paranoic - 0:43

5. Buthelezi - 3:42

6. So You Want To Be Free - 10:52

7. Changes - 3:23

8. Child Of The Summer - 5:59

9. For Every Dog - 4:05

10.Morning - 5:57

11.The Garden - 6:59

All compositions by Rod Coombes, Roger Sutton

Riff Raff

*Roger Sutton - Bass, Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

*Tommy Eyre - Hammond Organ, Piano, Acoustic Guitars, Concert, Bass Flute, Vocals

*Rod Coombes - Drums, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar (Tracks 1-7)

*Martin Ball - Guitar (Tracks 1-7)

*Joe Peters - Drums(Tracks 1-7)

*Peter Kirtley - Guitar, Vocals (Tracks 8-11)

*Aureo De Souza - Drums, Percussion (Tracks 8-11)

*Kenny Slade - Drums (Tracks 8-11)

*Ritchie Dalton - Saxophone

*Alan Marshall - Vocals

1973  Riff Raff - Riff Raff (2016 korean remaster)   

1974  Riff Raff - Original Man (2017 korean remaster)   

Related Acts

1968  Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends (2015 SACD)
1969  Jody Grind - One Step On (2006 japan remaster)
1969  Jaklin - Jaklin
1969-70  The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation - To Mum From Aynsley And The Boys / Remains To Be Heard
1972  Roger Morris - First Album (korean remaster with extra tracks)
1974  Zzebra - Zzebra
1976  The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - British Tour

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The Left Banke - There's Gonna Be A Storm The Complete Recordings (1966-69 us, fantastic baroque folk psychedelia)

Noted as one of the trailblazers of baroque pop, the Left Banke,  known for their huge hit ‘Walk Away Renee’ were original twee. Think of a classical Zombies, harpsichord instead of wurli with dramatic classically-influenced arrangements.

‘Pretty Ballerina’ is their lesser but still well-known hit, and the singing is drop dead gorgeous. Steve Martin (not that Steve Martin) was one of the most under appreciated rock vocalists of his generation and his tender delivery, combined with the delicate string arrangements assured ‘Ballerina.’ Michael Brown wrote great melodies, lyrics tuned to the woe of teenage heartbreak.

Key tracks include ‘Shadows Breaking Over My Head,’ ‘She May Call You Up Tonight,’ ‘I Haven’t Got The Nerve,’ ‘Barterers And Their Wives,’ ‘There’s Gonna Be A Storm’ etc. The 2nd half of this collection covers the material surrounding the Left Banke’s unfortunate demise.

Only a country-rocker falls flat on a completely solid album that many people call baroque pop. Their second album Too, is respectable but lacks the fire of the debut and does not benefit from Michael Brown’s absence. Essential stuff!!

For the complete recordings of the Left Banke in one package, get this.

by Brendan McGrath, June 21st, 2007

Tracks

1. Walk Away Renée (Michael Brown, Tony Sansone, Bob Calilli) - 2:40

2. I Haven't Got The Nerve (George Cameron, Steve Martin Caro) - 2:13

3. Pretty Ballerina (Michael Brown) - 2:32

4. She May Call You Up Tonight (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro) - 2:18

5. I've Got Something On My Mind (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro, George Cameron) - 2:46

6. Barterers And Their Wives (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 2:56

7. Let Go Of You Girl (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro, George Cameron) - 2:53

8. What Do You Know (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 2:57

9. Evening Gown (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 1:46

10.Lazy Day (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro) - 2:24

11.Shadows Breaking Over My Head (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro) - 2:34

12.Ivy Ivy (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 3:11

13.Men Are Building Sand (Previously Unreleased) (Michael Brown, Bert Sommer) - 2:19

14.Desirée (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 2:42

15.Dark Is The Bark (George Cameron, Tom Finn, Martin-Caro) - 3:28

16.My Friend Today (Tom Feher) - 3:03

17.Sing Little Bird Sing (Tom Finn) - 3:09

18.And Suddenly (Michael Brown, Bert Sommer) - 2:05

19.Goodbye Holly (Tom Feher) - 2:56

20.In The Morning Light (Michael Brown, Tom Feher) - 2:50

21.Bryant Hotel (Tom Feher) - 3:24

22.Give The Man A Hand (Marvin Potocki) - 2:33

23.Nice To See You (Tom Finn) - 2:41

24.There's Gonna Be A Storm (Tom Finn) - 4:16

25.Pedestal (Tom Kaye, Marty Joe Kupersmith) - 3:45

26.Myrah (Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro) - 3:21

Musicians

The Left Banke

*Steve Martin Caro - Lead Vocals, Drums, Tambourine, Bass 

*Michael Brown - Piano, Harpsichord, Clavinet, Organ, Vocals

*Tom Finn - Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals

*George Cameron - Drums, Percussion, Vocals 

*Warren David-Schierhorst - Drums

*Jeff Winfield - Electric Guitar

*Rick Brand - Electric Guitar, Banjo

*Bert Sommer - Lead Vocals, Guitar 

*Michael McKan - Guitar 

*Tom Feher – Piano, Guitar 

Additional Personnel

*Steve Tallarico - Backing Vocals

*Paul Griffin - Keyboards

*Paul Leka - Piano, String Arrangements

*Hugh McCracken - Guitar

*Al Gorgoni - Guitar

*George "Fluffer" Hirsh - Guitar

*Marvin Potocki - Guitars

*John Abbott - Bass, Guitar, String And Horn Arrangements

*Seymour Barab - Bass, Cello

*Joe Mack - Bass

*Chet Amsterdam - Bass

*Al Rogers - Drums

*Buddy Saltzman - Drums

*Bobby Gregg - Drums

*Artie Schroek - Vibraphone, Drums, String Arrangements

*Paul Leka - String Arrangements

*Harry Lookofsky - Violin

*George Marge - Oboe

*Ray Alonge - French Horn

*Marvin Stamm - Trumpet

*George Young - Woodwinds

1966-67  The Left Banke - Walk Away Renee...Pretty Ballerina (2011 remaster)  

1968-69  The Left Banke - The Left Banke Too (2011 remaster)  

Related Act

1968  Bert Sommer - The Road To Travel   

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Lovecraft - Valley Of The Moon (1970 us, awesome classic rock with country and psych shades, 2008 remaster)

Drummer Michael Tegza is the only original from two years prior when the band was H.P. Lovecraft on Phillips Records. For this 1970 Reprise release, they are dubbed Lovecraft and have abandoned the psychedelic Jefferson Airplane sound for a progressive Crosby, Stills & Nash-meets-Uriah Heep flavor. In 1975, drummer Tegza re-formed the band again and separated the two words, their Love Craft album, We Love You Whoever You Are, took things into an almost Santana-goes-soul direction. 

Valley Of The Moon is a surprisingly good album mixing leftover psychedelica with good harmonies. There are no throwaways here, just 11 fabulous songs, one better than the next. The arrangements are uniformly excellent, bolstered by superb playing from Tezga, guitarist Jim Donlinger, bassist Michael Been, and multi-instrumentalist Marty Grebb, formerly of the Buckinghams & Aorta,and soon after,the Fabulous Rhinestones. Every song was outstanding -tight musicianship, great vocals & just plain good songs.

Tracks

1. We Can All Have It Together (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 3:55

2. Brother I Wonder (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 2:28

3. Love Has Come To Me (Marty Grebb) - 3:13

4. Will I Know When My Time Comes (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 3:00

5. Two Step Tussle (Marty Grebb) - 3:43

6. Take Me By The Hand (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 3:10

7. Lady Come Softly (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 2:35

8. The Dawn (Marty Grebb, Ken Wolfson) - 4:56

9. Never Gonna Go Back (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been, Michael Tegza) - 3:42

10.Dear (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 3:09

11.Hopefully We'll All Remain Together (Jim Donlinger, Michael Been) - 4:17

Lovecraft

*Marty Grebb - Keyboards, Vocals

*Michael Been - Bass, Vocals

*Jim Donlinger - Guitar, Vocals

*Michael Tegza - Drums, Vocals 

1967-69  H.P. Lovecraft - Dreams In The Witch House (2005 remastered and expanded)  

1968  H.P. Lovecraft - Live May 11 

1969  Bangor Flying Circus - Bangor Flying Circus  

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Gordon Lightfoot - The Complete Singles (1970-80 canada, tremendous folk soft rock, 2019 double disc remaster)

Gordon Lightfoot is a legend in the fullest sense of the word, an honour that few musicians can claim, especially those who are still alive and active, as Lightfoot fortunately is.

Of course, there are better songwriters, better singers, and better guitarists than him, but the combination of his talents creates something truly special. On this compilation, his skill as a composer is displayed in the widely-known original songs such as “Sundown”, “Beautiful”, and “If You Could Read My Mind”, while his covers—Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”, for example—are often as good as the originals because of the depth that Lightfoot conveys through his vocal and guitar styles.

This compilation takes the best approach to an artist as prolific and consistent as Gordon Lightfoot: to collect the singles from the most fruitful period of his career (the 1970s in this case). For those who are unfamiliar with Lightfoot’s music or want to hear a variety of his finest work, The Complete Singles 1970-1980 is a perfect way to fill a lazy weekend afternoon, or any other time for that matter.

by Ljubinko Zivkovic.

Gordon Lightfoot began his recording career in Canada, releasing his first singles in 1962.  He signed with United Artists in 1965 and released his first album, Lightfoot!, in 1966.  Three more studio albums would follow by 1968.  But he wasn’t gaining much commercial success outside of Canada as a performer and was mainly known as a songwriter with credits such as the oft-covered “Early Morning Rain.”  That all changed when he signed to Reprise/Warner Bros. in 1970 and teamed with producer Lenny Waronker.

The first single released was a cover of “Me and Bobby McGee,” which again didn’t see much chart action outside of Canada.  Things would be completely different, however, with the November 1970 release of “If You Could Read My Mind.”  That Lightfoot original finally broke the singer out with American audiences becoming a No. 1 AC hit and climbing to No. 5 on the Hot 100.  The next couple of years brought more minor hits (including the No. 11 “Talking in Your Sleep” in 1971) but Lightfoot would see a string of major successes beginning with 1974’s “Sundown”, which hit the peak of the Hot 100 and AC charts.  Two more AC No. 1s would immediately follow: “Carefree Highway” and “Rainy Day People.”  Another hit came with 1976’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”  The epic tale of the doomed ship peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 9 on the AC chart.  Other AC hits through 1978 included “Race Among the Ruin” (No. 13), “The Circle is Small (I Can See It In Your Eyes)” (No. 3) and “Daylight Katy” (No. 16).  Lightfoot would remain on Warner Bros. through 1998.  In the 20 years since, he has only released two albums: 2004’s Harmony on Linus Entertainment and the live set All Live on Rhino in 2012.  He has, however, maintained a busy touring schedule.

Real Gone’s new compilation presents Lightfoot’s complete A and B-sides from 1970-1980, totaling 34 songs in all.  The single versions of “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Rainy Day People” make their CD debuts, as well as six other songs that appear in their mono single versions on CD for the first time.  Real Gone has utilized the commercial, stock version of the singles unless the commercial version was released in both mono and stereo.  In those instances, the version used depended on the best source that could be found.  The set has been newly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, with additional mastering and tape vetting by Aaron Kannowski.  It’s been designed by John Sellards and annotated by folk-rock guru Richie Unterberger.

by Randy Fairman, January 16, 2019 

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Me And Bobby McGee (Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson) - 3:46

2. The Pony Man - 3:33

3. If You Could Read My Mind - 3:50

4. Poor Little Allison - 2:32

5. Talking In Your Sleep - 3:00

6. Nous Vivons Ensemble - 3:45

7. Summer Side Of Life - 4:08

8. Love & Maple Syrup - 3:17

9. Beautiful - 3:25

10.Don Quixote - 3:41

11.That Same Old Obsession - 3:45

12.You Are What I Am - 2:37

13.Can't Depend On Love - 3:07

14.It's Worth Believin' - 3:25

15.Sundown - 3:41

16.Too Late For Prayin' - 4:17

17.Carefree Highway - 3:46

18.Seven Island Suite - 6:01

All compostitions by Gordon Lightfoot except track #1

Disc 2

1. Rainy Day People - 2:47

2. Cherokee Bend - 5:05

3. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald - 6:00

4. The House You Live In - 2:55

5. Race Among The Ruins - 3:22

6. Protocol - 4:04

7. The Circle Is Small (I Can See It In Your Eyes) - 3:53

8. Sweet Guinevere - 3:19

9. Daylight Katy - 4:23

10.Hangdog Hotel Room - 2:40

11.Dreamland - 2:58

12.Songs The Minstrel Sang - 2:52

13.Dream Street Rose - 2:59

14.Make Way For The Lady - 3:44

15.If You Need Me - 2:53

16.Mister Rock Of Ages - 3:31

All Music and Lyrics by Gordon Lightfoot

Musicians

*Gordon Lightfoot - Vocals, Acoustic, Twelve-String, Guitar, Vibraphone

*Rick Haynes - Bass

*Red Shea - Lead, Classical, Dobro Guitar

*Ry Cooder - Slide Guitar

*John Sebastian - Harmonica

*Nick DeCaro - Strings, Piano, Accordion

*Barry Keane - Drums, Percussion, Tambourine

*Terry Clemments - Guitar, Mandolin 

*Bruce Good - Autoharp

*Larry Good - Banjo

*Dave Brown - Percussion

*Ollie Strong - Steel Guitar

*Bob Thompson - Strings 

*Jim Gordon - Percussion, Drums

*Milt Holland - Percussion, Congas 

*Gene Martynec - Moog Synthesizer 

*Catherine Smith - Harmony Vocals 

*John Stockfish - Bass Guitar 

*Jack Zaza - English Horn, Recorder 

*John Stockfish - Bass

*Pee Wee Charles - Steel Guitar

*Junior Huskey - Bass

*Charlie McCoy - Harmonica

*Jack Zaza - Shaker, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, English Horn, Alto Flute, Harmonica, Harmonium

*Mitch Clarke - Bassoon

*Tom Szczesniak - Bass

*Doug Riley - Piano, Electric Piano

*Musicians Of Local 149 Toronto - Strings

*Gayle Levant - Harp

*Herb Pedersen - Banjo

*Bob Glaud - Bass

*Lenny Castro - Percussion

*Michael Omartian - Keyboards, Accordion

1966-67  Lightfoot! / The Way I Feel

1974  Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown (audio fidelity vinyl issue)

1976  Summertime Dream  

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Samson - Are You Samson (1969 uk, nice bag of prog psych rock, 2011 remaster)

Samson was one of the more obscure outfits signed to Andrew Oldham's Immediate label, considering that they got to cut an entire concept album, Are You Samson?, which was released by the label in 1969. They played the Marquee Club, and were known around London, but never caught on. Keyboard man and singer Ian Kewley later worked with Strider and Limey, before hooking up with Paul Young. This Samson had no relationship to an early '70s English band of the same name.

Originally released in November 1969 on Andrew Loog Oldham's subsidiary to his failing Immediate, Samson sank without trace, which was about as much as could be expected. Oldham's seemingly careless attitude of not even releasing a single to wet the record buyer's appetite however is now easier understood: Immediate was at its end; within weeks of Samson's debut release Oldham's empire went bankrupt! As the band were eagerly recording their carefully calculated work, Oldham had a lot more to worry about than whether the next album released on his subsidiary would be a big seller. 

With little assistance from the label, and practically no promotion, it's not surprising that the album had such low sales figures. But the poor turnover of this admittedly tackily sleeved album is by no means an indicator of the music contained within. Samson brought into their music a successful blend of harmonies which sound akin to the Gregorian psych-era choral vocal parts of the Pretty Things and the Zombies, a touch of Deep Purple circa Shades of Purple, and a hint of the increasingly popular concept album. For sake of classification, their blending of Kinks-ish psych-pop with more progressive elements is befitting of the title progressive pop -- a contemporary handle used to describe everything from the Fox's For Fox Sake, Caravan's early work, and fellow north country lads the Koobas' 1969 album. If the later songs compiled on the superb Rubbles series appeal to you, Samson are well worth investigating.

Tracks

1. Traffic - 3:26

2. Sleep - 2:22

3. Journey - 4:34

4. Fair - 7:23

5. The End Song - 4:42

6. Mars - 4:48

7. Venus - 2:57

8. Saturn - 3:50

9. Poem For Sam - 4:22

10.Water (B-Side) - 4:23

11.Venus (New Version) (A-Side) - 3:03

All songs by Ian Kewley, Les Jones, Les Olbinson, Mike Delaney, Norman Findley, Paul Ford.

Bonus Tracks 10-11

Samson

*Les Olbinson – Bass 

*Mike Delaney – Drums 

*Les Jones – Guitar 

*Norman Findley – Organ 

*Paul Ford – Trumpet

*Ian Kewley - Vocals, French Horn 

1965-66  The Scorpions ‎– Hello Josephine, The Complete Collection (two disc set)  

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