Meic Stevens ‎- Outlander (1970 uk, essential diverse mix of folk, psych and rock with a distinct Welsh flavor, 2003 remaster and xpanded)

For Meic Stevens, Outlander marked the point where the Welsh folk legend tried to get inland – or, rather, to mainstreamland. Released by Warner Bros in 1970, it featured him singing in English on record for the first time and was, in many ways, a moment of consolidation for Stevens, who had spent the years immediately prior to recording the album travelling Europe, raising a family and recording for small independent Welsh labels.

Picking up on European folk one moment and hanging out with British 60s psych luminaries Mighty Baby the next, Stevens approaches Outlander doing two things at once. He’s rooted in the “Welsh Bob Dylan” mould on some acoustic songs (though really Stevens was simply drawing on his own Celtic folk knowledge, as opposed to Dylan’s), and then going very Eastern psych with the likes of Yorric, something of a tribute to that most famous of skulls.

Stevens’ 10-piece band help to keep the flow going, picking up where their leader’s rough edges fray. Not just for the English language is this the most accessible of Stevens’ early works on CD, though Stevens turned his back on Warners, and thus this part of his career, almost immediately, travelling back to Wales to feel more at home back on the indies.

by Jason Draper 

Tracklist

1. Rowena (Full Version) - 4:41

2. Love Owed - 3:22

3. Left Over Time - 4:35

4. Lying To Myself - 2:47

5. The Sailor And Madonna - 5:34

6. Ox Blood - 1:15

7. Yorric - 8:49

8. Midnight Comes - 3:08

9. Ghost Town - 5:49

10.Dau Rhosyn Coch - 2:43

11.Ballad Of Old Joe Blind - 2:31

12.Great Houdini - 3:27

13.All About A Dream - 3:20

14.Evening Comes Up - 4:48

15.Upon The Mountain - 2:21

16.Where Have All My People Gone - 2:27

17.Yorric - 5:38

18.The Sailor And The Madonna - 4:09

19.Blue Sleep - 3:57

20.Ballad Of Old Joe Blind - 2:29

All compositions by Meic Stevens

Musicians

*Meic Stevens - Vocals, Guitar

*Dennis Elliott - Drums

*Bernie Holland - Electric Guitar

*Wally "Sospan" Jones - Banjo

*Dewan Motihar - Sitar

*Ian Samwell - Harp

*Keshav Sathe - Tabla

*Michael Snow - Organ, Piano

*George Sweetnam - Bass

*Chris Taylor - Flute

*Chris "Box" Taylor - Flute

*John Vanderyck - Violin 

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Michael Chapman - The Man Who Hated Mornings (1977 uk, crispy clean sharp jazz inflected folk rock, 2015 remaster with bonus tracks)

On an evident high after the previous year’s Savage Amusement had brought him to Memphis, The Man Who Hated Mornings brings it back home with sessions in Cornwall and Hull. Chapman’s sour, bleak and funny observations, shot through with moments of pure musical transcendence, are heavy on the ground.

The title track’s clangour reminds us of the bandleader’s skill on guitar, and from there, his playing cuts an elegant, purposeful swathe through mordant blues, cabaret jazz and a screaming early cut of Dogs Got More Sense. A supremely sullen recast of Bob Dylan’s Ballad In Plain D is another highlight.

The excellently recorded band features guitar from Mick Ronson, BJ Cole and Andy Latimer, but Chapman’s ruggedly defined, inimitably detailed voice and individuality (which continues to endure and multiply) shines throughout.

by Gavin Martin, December 01, 2015

Michael Chapman's The Man Who Hated Mornings might be seen as comparable to Eric Clapton's Slowhand release of the same year, and the presence of guitarist Mick Ronson (reunited with Chapman after six years spent elsewhere) does ensure that the frets get a fair workout as the album goes on. The comparison, however, has more in common with the mood of the record than any virtuoso concerns -- it is Chapman at his most laid-back, and only occasionally stirring himself into first gear.

A cover of Dylan's "Ballad in Plain D" is a triumphant highlight, seguing into Chapmans own "Steel Bonnets" instrumental to emerge a shoo-in for any "best-of" Chapman anthology. Elsewhere, there's much to be said for the wryly salacious "Why Do You Bob Your Hair, Girls," and a title track that completely eschews Chapman's folk-rock reputation for a taste of nightclub jazz. "Dogs Got More Sense," meanwhile, is a joyous slice of pop melody that could be compared to Phillip Goodhand-Tait's "Jewel," but the song that most sums up this album is a delightfully disdainful take on Danny O'Keefe's "I'm Sober Now." That may or may not be true, but Chapman has a wonderful time keeping listeners guessing. 

by Dave Thompson

Tracks

1. Northern Lights - 7:23

2. I'm Sober Now (Danny O'Keefe) - 3:44

3. The Man Who Hated Mornings - 4:07

4. Ballad in Plain D (Bob Dylan) - 4:42

5. Steel Bonnets - 2:58

6. Dogs Got More Sense - 4:03

7. Falling Apart - 3:34

8. While Dancing the Pride of Erin - 2:55

9. Dreams Are Dangerous Things - 4:46

10.Why Do You Bob Your Hair Girls? (Blind Alfred Reed) - 2:50

11.Dogs Got More Sense - 3:43 

Lyrics and Music by Michael Chapman except where stated

Personnel

*Michael Chapman - Guitar, Vocals

*Rod Clements - Bass

*B.J. Cole - Guitar Steel Guitar

*Keef Hartley - Drums

*Andy Latimer - Electric Guitar

*Vivienne McAuliffe - Vocals 

*John McBurnie - Vocals 

*Mick Ronson - Guitar

*Johnny Van Derek - Violin

*Pete Wingfield - Organ, Piano, Synthesizer 

1968  Michael Chapman - Rainmaker
1970  Michael Chapman - Fully Qualified Survivor
1970-71  Michael Chapman - Window / Wrecked Again
1973  Michael Chapman - Millstone Grit (2006 remaster)
1974  Michael Chapman - Deal Gone Down (2015 bonus tracks edition)

1976  Michael Chapman - Savage Amusement (2015 remaster expanded)  

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Marsha Hunt ‎– Walk On Gilded Splinters (1969-71 us, gorgeous soul funk blues psychedelia)

Born 1946, Philadelphia, USA. Singer Hunt arrived in the UK during the mid-60s and emerged as a solo act following a spell in the chorus of the London production of Hair. A series of powerful live performances ensued, including the 1969 Isle Of Wight Festival, on which she was backed by Scottish group (White) Trash.  

Her subsequent career included a period hosting a chat show on Capital Radio, and Hunt later drew publicity during a successful paternity suit against Mick Jagger. The artist’s thespian ambitions were furthered as a member of both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre and in 1985 she published her autobiography, Real Life. Hunt’s first novel, Joy, followed in 1990 and she has subsequently become established as a writer. 

The term ‘multi-talented’ can’t be thrown around lightly, but for Marsha Hunt, it’s worth mentioning the fact. Aside from being a singer, she’s acted in a few known cult and horror flicks plus theatre, modelled, written novels, been an activist and at one point dated Mick Jagger. I know the latter isn’t a talent, but unfortunately that factor crops up way too much in any articles about her so let’s get it out of the way.

Yeah, she’s the huge-haired lady in Dracula A.D. 1972 (see review of Dracula A.D. 1972 here) as well as having roles in Britannia Hospital (the last of the If… trilogy), The Sender, and The Howling II. Balanced well into the mix is her debut LP, Woman Child. So late ‘60s and early ‘70s in sound, it is perfect and quite diverse in musical styles for that period. It deserves a listen because many of the sassy hot rock tunes will be the ideal backing for a smoke-filled living room sway with you and your friends in low light.

There’s a mish mash of remakes and Marc Bolan material (according to her autobiography he actually contributed musically to the album as well), all given a funked-up tempo with Marsha’s sexual vocals probably exciting a lot of young listeners at the time (her performances were supposed to be very erotic, showing breasts as lifting her arms, that kind of thing).

Starting with an Indian vibe spliced remake of Dr. John’s, Walk on Guilded Splinters off his Gris-Gris album. Martha does it proud adding more eerie magic to proceedings. She yells out some lyrics sounding like Tina Turner and makes it her own. After a brief and quickie interlude kind of spoofing her time in the infamous stage production of Hair, Hot Rod Pappa is up-tempo head-nodding and written by Marc Bolan, as is the following mellow almost late Beatles sounding, Stacey Grove.

One of the stronger moments on the album comes as No Face, No Name, No Number, a remake of a Traffic classic, and gives Martha time to really hit some strong notes, showing she can throw out a ballad and give you goosebumps. We just go pure big sound on, My World is Empty Without You. This one could have been a lead soundtrack tune, so of its time and filled with random choices of screams and instruments.

The album has blues, funk, a bit of psychedelic, ballads, country, and overall is a satisfying album. Her acting comes into her voice, she changes her delivery along with the ever-changing styles of music presented here.

by Jay Creepy, September 24 2020

Tracks

1. Walk On Gilded Splinters (Dr. John) - 3:30

2. Facing A Dying Nation (Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado) - 0:27

3. Hot Rod Pappa (Marc Bolan) - 3:18

4. Stacey Grove (Marc Bolan) - 2:19

5. No Face, No Name, No Number (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 3:42

6. My World Is Empty Without You (Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr, Lamont Dozier) - 3:01 

7. Moan You Moaners (Spencer Williams) - 3:00

8. Keep The Customer Satisfied (Paul Simon) - 3:01

9. Long Black Veil (Danny Dill, Marijohn Wilkin) - 2:37

10.You Ain't Going Nowhere (Bob Dylan) - 3:06 

11.Woman Child (Bobby Goldsboro) - 3:56

12.Desdemona (Marc Bolan) - 3:13 

13.Wild Thing (Chip Taylor) - 4:47 

14.Hippy Gumbo (Marc Bolan) - 2:57

Musicians

*Marsha Hunt - Vocals

*Ian McLagan - Keyboards

*Kenny Jones - Drums

*Marc Bolan - Guitar, Vocals

*Pete Townshend - Guitar

*Ron Wood - Bass

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Mountain - Twin Peaks (1974 us, powerful hard rock, 2005 digi pak remaster)

Now this is more like it! Recorded in Osaka, Japan, in 1973, Twin Peaks was Mountain's second consecutive live album (with The Best of Mountain compilation between them), albeit featuring the re-formed, somewhat reconfigured version of the group, consisting of Leslie West (guitar, vocals), Felix Pappalardi (bass, vocals), Bob Mann (guitar, keyboards), and Allan Schwartzberg (drums). It overlaps with its predecessor, Mountain Live (The Road Goes Ever On) on only two cuts, "Crossroader" and "Nantucket Sleighride," and the latter is stretched out even further here than it was on the earlier album, to 32 minutes. 

The content ends up showing off the best attributes of Mountain such as "Theme from an Imaginary Western," "Mississippi Queen," "Never in My Life," "Roll Over Beethoven" and a long version of  "Nantucket Sleighride." But even the latter, at over half-an-hour, was precisely what audiences of the period were paying to see and hear, and captures the band's music in all of its excessive glory. Additionally, "Nantucket Sleighride" doesn't seem that long in the actual listening, mostly because it's difficult not to be impressed with the playing, especially the guitar dialogue between West and Mann. A worthy document of a Mountain concert at their summit.

by James Chrispell 

Tracks

1. Never In My Life (Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins, Corky Laing) - 4:15

2. Theme For An Imaginary Western (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) - 5:01

3. Blood On The Sun (Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins) - 3:07

4. Guitar Solo (Leslie West) - 5:34

5. Crossroader (Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins) - 5:57

6. Mississippi Queen (Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Corky Laing, David Rea) - 4:16

7. Silver Paper (Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins, George Gardos, Steve Knight, Corky Laing) - 6:15

8. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry) - 2:23

9. Nantucket Sleigh Ride (Part I) (Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins) - 15:51

10.Nantucket Sleigh Ride (Conclusion) (Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins) - 16:01

Recorded Live on August 30th 1973 at Koseinenkin Hall in Osaka Japan

Mountain

*Leslie West - Guitar, Vocals

*Felix Pappalardi - Bass, Vocals, Production

*Bob Mann - Guitar, Keyboards

*Allan Schwartzberg - Drums

1969-73  Mountain ‎- Setlist The Very Best Of Mountain Live (2011 release)

1970  Mountain - Climbing! (2013 blu spec edition) 
1971  Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride (2013 japan blu spec remaster)

Related Acts

1965-68  Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend (2011 remaster)
1969  Leslie West - Mountain (Japanese edition)

1975  The Leslie West Band - The Leslie West Band (2008 reissue)  

1973  Back Door - 8th Street Nites  

1976  The (Blues) Creation With Felix Pappalardi - Live At Budokan (rare double disc japan issue)  

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The Leslie West Band - The Leslie West Band (1975 us, exceptional hard blues rock, 2008 reissue)

Where Leslie West's The Great Fatsby touched upon different themes and showed the guitar hero able to handle Free-style blues-pop, Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones comes to the party to bring a different focus. Outside of a couple of covers and Mick Jones' composition "Singapore Sling," all the material is by West, Jones, and Laing -- a progression from West, Bruce & Laing, which was a progression from Cream producer Felix Pappalardi's work with the guitarist/drummer combo in the original Mountain. Not as heavy as those other two groups, 

The Leslie West Band on record has more bite than The Great Fatsby, and as with the previous project, some big name players. John Lennon/Buzzy Linhart/Jim Croce keyboardist Ken Ascher is onboard, as is bassist Don Kretmer from the Blues Project. Leslie is in good company, and makes the most of it. Where he performed Rolling Stones material on Fatsby, here we have a dark and lovely rendition of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence" -- Ascher getting a chance to work on Lennon material again as he did on Mind Games. And as Fatsby had "The House of the Rising Sun," Mann and Weil's "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" gets revised by the Leslie West Band. 

It's a methodical version, Led Zeppelin lite, and is a decent album track, though the music without vocals seems to be the key to this album's real magic. "Singapore Sling" has beautiful Leslie West guitarwork on the Mick Jones set of riffs, while "Sea of Heartache" is a real gem that just stuns. It's a three-minute-33-second sort of ode to Black Sabbath where the musicians bring it up another notch. "By the River" and "Get It Up" aren't bad; it's just that they don't offer much new to the Leslie West repertoire. "By the River" ends much too fast as well, like someone just decided to turn down the sound as the side concludes prematurely. The Leslie West Band has our hero slugging it out in the trenches, and he gets a "B" for effort, which isn't a bad thing. One just would've hoped he kept from sliding back to the tried and true. It's the experimenting here that really shows what could have been, and this was the perfect time for the artist to reinvent himself. 

Leslie West, died on Tuesday December 23rd 2020 at the age of 75, following a cardiac arrest, according to his brother.

by Joe Viglione

Tracks

1. Money (Whatcha Gonna Do) - 3:37

2. Dear Prudence (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 4:47

3. Get It Up (No Bass - Whatsoever) - 2:59

4. Singapore Sling (Mick Jones) - 1:44

5. By The River - 2:53

6. The Twister - 2:27

7. Setting Sun - 3:41

8. Sea Of Heartache - 3:35

9. We'll Find A Way - 3:14

10.We Gotta Get out Of This Place (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 4:42

All songs by Leslie West, Corky Laing, Mick Jones, except where indicated

Musicians

*Leslie West - Guitar, Lead Vocals

*Mick Jones - Guitar

*Corky Laing - Drums

*Ken Ascher - Piano

*Sredni Vollmer - Harp

*Frank Vicari - Horns

*Don Kretmar - Bass

*Bill Gelber - Bass

*Carl Hall - Background Vocals

*Hilda Harris - Background Vocals

*Sharon Redd - Background Vocals

*Tasha Thomas - Background Vocals

Related Acts
1965-68  Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend (2011 remaster)
1969  Leslie West - Mountain (Japanese edition)
1969-73  Mountain ‎- Setlist The Very Best Of Mountain Live (2011 release)
1970  Mountain - Climbing! (2013 blu spec edition) 
1971  Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride (2013 japan blu spec remaster)

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Faith - Faith (1973 us, excellent hard groovy rock)

 

Faith Band, like most great groups, evolved through several powerful incarnations. From The Invincibles, to The Chosen Few, with an album on RCA, to Limousine, with an album on GSF, they got strong radio airplay building a large, enthusiastic following. With 1973’s move to Terry Knight’s Brown Bag Records, Faith Band was born. In addition to the debut “Faith” album with Carl Storie, vocals and harp, Dave Bennett, guitar, Dave Barnes, drums and percussion, Johnny Cascella, keyboards, sax and vocals, and Mark Cawley on bass and vocals, they went on to release four more commanding original albums on Village/Phonogram/Mercury records and toured nonstop.

Along the way, Nigel Olsson’s cover of Faith’s “Dancin Shoes” was a Top 20 hit. Carl and Mark formed the duo Blinding Tears, releasing a CD in 1986. Mark has gone on to be an award winning songwriter whose songs have been recorded by an amazing array of artists from Tina Turner and Joe Cocker to Wynonna Judd and Chaka Kahn just to name a few. Carl released a self-titled solo CD in 1992, while Dave Bennett released the jazzy “Out of the Bleu” in 2004. John Cascella moved to John Cougar Mellencamp’s band, where he lit the fuse on “Cherry Bomb” and many more. “Boots” sparkled on accordion and keyboards with Mellencamp until his premature death in 1992. Dave Barnes joined forces with his brother and helped build one of the largest music industry service companies.

Now, the remaining members of Faith Band and John Cooper - Faith Band, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr have revisited their musical vaults and selected these 19 tunes, most never heard before, from the original sessions. Coop assembled all the tracks and with loving care and today’s vastly improved audio technology, mixed them for us as they envisioned them originally. This digital download “Boxed Set” also includes a booklet and three videos taken from live gigs. With liner notes from longtime DJ friend Mike Griffin and brand new cover art from Wille Faust who did the first two Faith Band albums, this is a labor of love and a one of a kind must have for Faith Band fans.

The lucky ones were there, and caught the band live. Most others have only heard the stories. Now, hear the legacy of music and creativity that gave voice to a generation of change. Actually their first album contains songs that already they recorded as "Limousine" renamed with new titles and different track list.

Tracks

1. Sometimes Sometimes - 5:47

2. Freedom - 3:18

3. Answer To The Master - 6:14

4. Looking For A Friend - 4:19

5. Such A Lady Such A Lover - 3:53

6. Dreamy Eyed Lady - 5:08

7. We're All Headed In The Same Way-The Last Song - 5:15

8. The Last Song - 1:05

All songs by Carl Storie, David Bennett, John Cascella, Mark Cawley, Dave Barnes

Faith

*Carl Storie - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, 

*David Bennett - Guitar

*John Cascella - Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals

*Mark Cawley - Bass

*Dave Barnes - Drums

1969  The Chosen Few - The Chosen Few (Vinyl edition)  

1970  Limousine - Limousine (Vinyl edition)  

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Limousine - Limousine (1970 us, awesome hard goovy funky bluesy rock, Vinyl edition)

Limousine was a band that created from the ashes of Chosen Few, with the turn of the decade they changed their name and their sound to more hard Rock influence, this time with the horns in a more discreet option and the keyboards getting imposed sometimes.

The vocals are still great, and the songs passing through funky blues and hard rock waves.

Tracks

1. A Song For Monique (David "Benny" Bennett) - 1:04

2. Sometimes (John Cascella, Carl Storie) - 5:46

3. Bitin' Grace (John Cascella, Carl Storie) - 6:13

4. Such A Lady, Such A Lover - 3:50

5. Barriers - 4:16

6. Sidewalk Siren - 5:04

7. Raise Your Voice - 3:25

8. Lighthouse - 6:18

All songs by Mark Cawley except where stated

Limousine

*David Barnes - Drums

*David "Benny" Bennett - Lead Guitar

*John Cascella - Keyboards, VocalS

*Mark Cawley - Cass, Vocal

*Carl Storie - Lead Vocal 

1969  The Chosen Few - The Chosen Few (Vinyl edition)  

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The Chosen Few - The Chosen Few (1969 us, magnificent jazz brass rock, Vinyl edition)

The Chosen Few were a horn-rock group from Muncie Indiana and consisted of Carl Storie (lead vocals-percussion), Jack Hamilton (bass), Dave Bennet (electric/acoustic 12 & 6 string guitars), Dave Barnes (drums) and John Cascella (keyboards).

The group, originally a garage band, had earlier recorded for the local Denim label, releasing four singles among them "It Just Don't Rhyme" and then released a single on the Talun label which led to their contract with RCA.

Surely inspired by the success of such bands as Blood, Sweat & Tears, (and the sound that was popular in the Chicago area at the time), the group changed musical direction and with the help of Pete Dino and Lee Holdridge added horn arrangements to their sound. Speaking of B, S &T and Chicago, there are early remakes of “You Make Me So Very Happy” and “Beginnings” here, but the redeeming cuts here are “Safrowillie” (wish there were more cuts like this) and the album's closer "I Will Miss You". 

by Jack Dominilla

Tracks

1. Talk With Me (Carl Storie, David "Benny" Bennett, John Cascella) - 2:45

2. You Make Me So Very Happy (Berry Gordy, Brenda Holloway, Frank Wilson, Patrice Holloway) - 3:23

3. Maybe The Rain Will Fall (Carl Storie) - 3:06

4. Sea Of Tranquility (Carl Storie, Jack Hamilton) - 3:48

5. Spend One Night (Carl Storie, Dave Barnes, David "Benny" Bennett, John Cascella) - 2:35

6. Beginnings (Robert Lamm) - 3:29

7. Safrowillie (Carl Storie, Jack Hamilton) - 4:49

8. I'll Never Change You (Carl Storie, David "Benny" Bennett, John Cascella, Jack Hamilton) - 2:25

9. Deeper In (John Cascella) - 2:50

10.I Will Miss You (John Cascella) - 3:12

The Chosen Few

*Jack Hamilton - Bass 

*Dave Barnes - Drums 

*Dave Bennett - Electric, Twelve-String Guita, Acoustic Guitars

*Carl Storie - Lead Vocals, Percussion

*John Cascella - Piano, Organ, Electric Piano

With 

*Lee Holdridge - Horn Arrangements

*Peter Dino - Horn Arrangements 

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Gypsy - Antithesis / Unlock The Gates (1972-73 us, fine prog rock)

Gypsy was a American progressive rock band from Minnesota, formed as The Underbeats (1962–1968). Gypsy was the house band at the Whisky a Go Go, West Hollywood, California for about eight months from September 1969 to 1970 and were known in 1970 for their US Billboard Hot 100 single "Gypsy Queen Part 1 and 2". Most of Gypsy's music was composed and written by guitarist and singer Enrico Rosenbaum. Drummer Bill Lordan went on to playwith Sly & the Family Stone and a long career with Robin Trower. Keyboardist James Walsh continued the band in variousincarnations as The James Walsh Gypsy Band. The group has no relation to the British band of the same name formed in 1968, who recorded two albums for United Artists Records in the UK.

Without much success Gypsy faded into obscurity as members left, they released their third Antithesis in 1972 and their fourth Unlock the Gates 1973, with Antithesis capturing some of the old sound but with Unlock the Gates the sound changes were set in place and a new entity called James Walsh Gypsy Band evolved which followed the Unlock the Gates sound and never caught on.

Tracks 

Antithesis 1972

1. Crusader (Enrico Rosenbaum, James C. Johnson) - 3:10

2. Day After Day (James Walsh, Randall Cates) - 3:15

3. The Creeper - 3:10

4. Facing Time - 4:11

5. Lean On Me - 3:15

6. Young Gypsy - 3:06

7. Don't Bother Me (James Walsh, Enrico Rosenbaum) - 3:15

8. Travelin' Minnesota Blues - 2:33

9. So Many Promises - 2:25

10.Antithesis (Keep Your Faith) - 3:22

11.Edgar (Don't Hoover Over Me) (James C. Johnson) - 3:26

12.Money - 4:53

All compositions by Enrico Rosenbaum except where stated

Unlock The Gates 1973

1. Is That News? (Enrico Rosenbaum, James C. Johnson) - 3:15 

2. Make Peace With Jesus (Enrico Rosenbaum, James Walsh) - 3:15 

3. One Step Away (James Walsh) - 3:11 

4. Bad Whore (The Machine) - 2:48 

5. Unlock the Gates - 3:42 

6. Toin It - 2:46 

7. Need You Baby - 3:05 

8. Smooth Operator - 3:20 

9. Don't Get Mad (Get Even) - 3:14 

10.Precious One (James C. Johnson) - 4:19 

All songs by Enrico Rosenbaum except where stated

Gypsy

*Enrico Rosenbaum - Guitar, Vocals 

*James Walsh - Keyboards, Vocals 

*James Johnson - Guitar, Vocals 

*Bill Lordan - Drums 

*Randall Cates - Bass, Vocals 

*Walter Parazaider - Saxophone 

*James Pankow - Trombone 

*Lee Loughnane - Trumpet

1970  Gypsy - Gypsy  

1971  Gypsy - In The Garden  

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Indescribably Delicious - Good Enough to Eat! (1969 us, great garage rhythm 'n' blues, digi pak edition)

Another one of Bill Holme's All American Releases, Indescribably Delicious was formed in the Bay Area of California in the early 60's. The band became local favorites and by the mid 1960's was opening for such acts as Steppenwolf, The Turtles, The Yardbirds and many more. The band consisted of Jim Conroy on vocals, Gary Solomon on vocals and sax, Greg Munford played guitar, keyboards and sang, Art Johnson was on rhythm guitar and Mark Cohen the drummer.

The band recorded singles for the All American label and in 1969 completed their first album that was never released. The music of the band ranges from an r&b beat style similar to the Animals (with vocals remarkably sounding like Eric Burdon) to pop and even garage sounds. This album contains a dozen songs mostly written by band members except for a fantastic poppy cover of Pete Townsend's (The Who) classic, The Kids Are Alright, and two other obscure blues numbers. In the same vein as the more "popular" bands of the day such as Shadows Of Night, Every Mother's Son, The Monkees or the Outsiders, The Indescribably Delicious is one of those long lost gems that are waiting to be discovered. The only downside to this album is that it clocks in at under 30 minutes and leaves the listener wanting more.

by Keith Pettipas

The group was formed in the Bay Area in the early sixties. By the mid 1960's the group was opening for such acts as Steppenwolf, The Turtles, The Yardbirds, and several other popular acts of the day. After recording a bunch of singles for the All American label they released this first complete recording in 1969. The album cover is quite provocative and colorful, when one considers when this was released. Today people would not bat an eyelash or give it a second glance.

This is another one of those lost treasures that Akarma has uncovered and brought to the listener's attention, once again giving us a bit of history and counting in those bands that never got a fair chance. No band is insignificant enough not to be counted. Indescribably Delicious contributed a solid album's worth of material and more that is well worth giving your time and attention. The pleasure of course… will be all yours.

by Keith Hannaleck

Tracks

1. It's Been A Hard Hard Day (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 1:55

2. Big Ben (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon, Bob Feldman) - 2:38

3. Is It Love (Greg Munford) - 2:43

4. The Kids Are Alright (Pete Townshend) - 2:05

5. Baby I Love You (Jerry Ragovoy) - 2:14

6. Brother Where Are You (Nat Adderley, Oscar Brown Jr.) - 2:40

7. I Gotta Love You Again (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 1:54

8. Take A Little Bit Of Lovin' (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 1:53

9. The Rest Of My Life (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 2:14

10.Take Me For One Last Ride (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 2:33

11.In Too Deep (Greg Munford, Ruth Batchelor) - 1:45

12.The World Is Ended Right Now (Bill Holmes, Gary Solomon) - 2:27

Indescribably Delicious

*Jim Conroy - Vocals 

*Bruce Turner - Guitar 

*Mark Cohen - Drums 

*Steve Senchia - Bass 

*Art Johnson - Guitar 

*Gary Solomon - Vocals, Saxophone 

*Greg Munford - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals

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