Group Therapy - People Get Ready For Group Therapy / 37 Minutes Of Group Therapy (1967/69 us, awesome bluesy psych rock, 2009 digi pak remaster)

Group Therapy was a New York rock band, formed in 1966 by Ray Kennedy (vocals). The other members were Art Del Gudico (guitar), Jerry Guida (keyboards), Tommy Burns (drums) and Michael Lamont (drums).

The group rose to prominence in Europe when they joined Moby Grape on a tour in UK, in 1968. Group Therapy impressed audiences with their exciting, soul-based stage act. Two strong-voiced vocalists, Ray Kennedy and Tommy Burns give Group Therapy a solid base. Lead guitarist Art Del Gudico, also prossessing a stong voice. The band’s debut album largely comprised of covers like ‘Hey Joe’, ‘Morning Dew’ and ‘Come See About Me’. 

On their second release "37 Minutes Of Group Therapy", their biggest and most significant change was the emphasis on original material, and this material is good! The band failed to larger succes and sales, and split up without achieving their potential. 

During the '70s Ray Kennedy found some of his greatest success, co-writing a number of songs covered by other artists (including the Beach Boys classic 'Sail On, Sailor' as well as the Babys' 'Isn't It Time' and 'Every Time I Think of You') and co-founding the group KGB with Barry Goldberg and Michael Bloomfield. KGB proved short-lived, lasting only long enough to produce a pair of albums, but Kennedy's career continued unimpeded; in 1980, he released his second solo LP, 'Ray Kennedy.'

He spent the '80s engaged in an eclectic array of pursuits, from contributing to the music for the 1988 Olympics to opening a studio and touring with Aerosmith and the Michael Schenker Group; he also enjoyed a long professional association with Englebert Humperdinck and worked with Wayne Newton before beginning a brief songwriting partnership with Mick Fleetwood that produced 'These Strange Times,' the closing track on Fleetwood Mac's 1995 'Time' album.

Ray Kennendy passed away on February 18, 2014.

Tracks

1. Foxy Lady (Jimi Hendrix) - 3:05

2. Yours Until Tomorrow (Carole King, Gerry Goffin) - 3:41

3. Come See About Me (Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., Lamont Dozier) - 2:46

4. Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson) - 2:40

5. Who'll Be Next (Art Del Gudico, Tommy Burns) - 2:31

6. People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield) - 4:13

7. Really Together (Billy Vera) - 2:06

8. Hey Joe (Billy Roberts) - 4:00

9. The Exodus Song (Ernest Gold, Pat Boone) - 4:25

10.Expressway To Your Heart (Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff ) - 2:37

11.Let It Be Me (Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, Pierre Delanoë) - 4:08

12.Remember What You Said (Ray Kennedy) - 2:57

13.Wait (Ray Kennedy, Tommy Burns) - 6:03

14.River Deep Mountain High (Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Phil Spector) - 4:40

15.A Very Happy Day (Jerry Guida, Ray Kennedy) - 3:17

16.I Got To Live (Ray Kennedy) - 2:34

17.Can't Stop Lovin' You Baby (Tommy Burns) - 2:56

18.I Must Go (Art Del Gudico, Michael Lamont) - 3:52

19.Cheer Up Baby (Art Del Gudico, Tommy Burns) - 2:01

20.Willie (Art Del Gudico, Tommy Burns) - 2:56

21.I Can't Believe It (Tommy Burns) - 3:49

Tracks 1-11 from "People Get Ready For Group Therapy" 1967

Tracks 11-21 from "37 Minutes Of Group Therapy" 1969

Group Therapy

*Ray Kennedy - Vocals 

*Art Del Gudico - Guitar 

*Jerry Guida - Organ 

*Tommy Burns - Vocals, Drums

*Michael Lamont - Drums

Related Act

1976  KGB - KGB (2005 remaster)

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Parish Hall - Parish Hall (1970 us, a brutally raw pulverising bluesy sludge)

Parish Hall was a power trio from the California Bay Area. The band consisted of Gary Wagner (guitar, piano, vocals), John Haden (bass), and Steve Adams (drums). Specializing in a hard rock/blues rock sound, their album was originally released near the end of 1970 on a small local California record label. Reminiscent of the sound of another popular trio of the day, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Parish Hall had begun to gain the recognition of some European collectors by the late 1990s, and originals have fetched high prices in collector's markets. All songs on this album are originals written by Wagner and hold up well when compared to other hard rock acts. 

by Keith Pettipas

This superb San Franciscan power trio only recorded one album, which stands as one of the best of its kind. Rooted in blues, its snappy, self-penned songs display a clear acid rock influence, whilst avoiding excess of any sort. Though it was released in Europe and even Australia in 1970, it sank without trace, spelling the end for the band, though their reputation has been growing ever since.

Tracks

1. My Eyes Are Getting Heavy - 5:16

2. Dynaflow  3:06

3. Ain't Feelin' Too Bad - 2:50

4. Silver Ghost - 2:53

5. Skid Row Runner - 3:19

6. Lucanna - 2:32

7. We're Gonna Burn Together - 2:37

8. Somebody Got the Blues - 3:02

9. How Can You Win? - 2:53

10.Take Me with You When You Go - 2:55

All songs by Gary Wagner

Parish Hall

*Gary Wagner - Vocals, Guitar, Piano

*Steve Adams - Drums

*John Haden - Bass

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Little John - Little John (1971 us, spectacular brass jazz rock)

Excellent sophomore album by this San Francisco band, Roy Halee took over the production at the newly created Columbia Records studios in San Francisco. Impressed with the technique of the boys, Roy (who had worked with Simon and Garfunkel, Byrds, Moby Grape and Blood, Sweat & Tears , among others) had no doubts about inviting them to record. The result is this formidable selftitled record, released in 1971 on the Epic label.

 

New members on brass section, and a keyboardist. All musicians dominating the groove sphere, Germain Wallace (saxophone and flute), Jon “Chicken” Greg (vocals), Jim Tompkins (trumpet and flügelhorn), Richard Lewis (trombone), Lex Silva (bass), Sal Saccardo (drums, percussion and vocals), Dan Buttington (organ, piano and vocals on the track “Thinking 'Bout You” ) and John Hart (guitar and vocals), who's the only Englishman, not to forget Bill Atwood who plays trumpet on all songs.

Tracks

1. Feelings Of Delight (John Hart) - 4:04 

2. Lady Friend (John Hart, Dan Buffington) - 3:10 

3. We (John Hart, G.Hallett) - 8:15 

4. Turn Your Face To A Smile (John Hart) - 3:06 

5. Gremlin's Lullaby (Germain Wallace) - 11:56 

a. Intro 

b. Voices Of Angels 

c. Pretty Blue Dress 

6. Feeling Alright (Dave Mason) - 6:30 

7. Thinking 'Bout You (Dan Buffington) - 1:19 

Little John

*Jon "Chicken" Greg - Lead Vocals 

*John Hart - Lead Guitar, Vocals 

*Sal Saccardo - Percussion, Vocals

*Germain Wallace - Saxophones, Flute

*Lex Silva - Bass

*Dan Buffington - Piano, Organ

*Richard Lewis - Trombone

*Jim Tompkins - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

With

*Bill Atwood - Trumpet

1970  Little John - Up And Down  

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For Example - Cancelled / SWF-Session (1972-73 germany, remarkable brass jazz rock, 2010 remaster)

For Example is an another band from the SWF-broadcast vaults, with their recording they did in 1973. The band, founded in the late sixties, consisted of students of various study fields. In the beginning they played, under the name Frida III, cover versions of sixties hits, but after they had been taken on for 2 productions by the State Theatre Tübingen, they changed their music style, added three wind players with jazz experience and formed For Example. At first they played pieces of their favourite bands Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears, but their repertoire also comprised soul numbers with horn sections. 

Step by step they added self composed titles and found their own music style, still influenced by their favourites. Still unsigned they were invited to the legendary 2nd German Rock Festival on Burg Herzberg in summer 1971, where all leading German groups, from Frumpy to Guru Guru got together and the big audience was impressed by For Example. In 1972 they´ve fought in vain for the release of a album on CBS records. A demo tape had been produced at Jankowski Studio in Stuttgart, but after a change of the management, CBS was not further interested to release the recordings. 

That´s why the band called these "Cancelled". The SWF broadcast invited them in 1973 to do a recording session of 4 titles. This is the chance to listen to a long forgotten band. 

Tracks

1. Of Our Freedom (Gerhard Glombik, Micha Franz) - 4:58

2. Turn Me Back (Gerhard Glombik, Micha Franz) - 4:29

3. Spätlese (Hanspeter Schickle, Gerhard Glombik, Jörn Heher) - 5:52

4. Das Lied Der Keuschen Jungfrau (Hanspeter Schickle, Günther Schmid) - 0:59

5. Commercial Song (Hanspeter Schickle, Günther Schmid) - 4:10

6. Self Made Cake (Hanspeter Schickle, Micha Franz, Günther Schmid) - 4:07

7. Remember (Hanspeter Schickle, Gerhard Glombik) - 4:28

8. Tension Of Tenderness (Gerhard Glombik, Micha Franz) - 2:54

9. Cup Of Tea (Hanspeter Schickle, Gerhard Glombik) - 4:10

10.Can't Justify (Hanspeter Schickle, Gerhard Glombik) - 3:44

11.The Game (Hanspeter Schickle, Gerhard Glombik) - 3:44

12.Something 'Bout The Blues (Gerhard Glombik, Micha Franz) - 3:39

13.Ouverture / One Afternoon (Hanspeter Schickle, Micha Franz, Günther Schmid) - 6:36

For Example

*Hanspeter Schickle - Drums, Piano, Lead Vocals

*Gerhard Glombik - Lead Guitar

*Wolf Hagelauer - Bass

*Micha Franz - Trombone, Vocals (Track 12)

*Wolfgang Freund - Vocals (Tracks 5, 9, 10)

*Günther Schmid - Alto Saxophone, Lead Vocals (Track 12)

*Rolf-Michael Schickle - Electric Piano, Electric Hammond Organ

*Jörn Heher - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (Tracks 1 to 3, 13)

*Peter Wolff - Trumpet, Vocals (Tracks: 5 - 11)

*N.N. - Trumpet (Tracks 1 to 3, 13)

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Pig Iron - Pig Iron (1970 us, exceptional jazz blues brass rock)

The only self-titled album from New York based, Pig Iron. A highly talented band, unfairly pushed into oblivion. Former and leader of “Pig Iron” was drummer Alan Abrahams. He was also lead vocalist and main songwriter of the group. 

In 1970, “Pig Iron” recorded an album which was well received by critics, but somehow went bad on sales. Label as usual, did not renew the contract, and by 1971 the band broke up. Alan Abrahams went on to become a professional producer, worked at RCA, Capitol and Columbia Records, recorded by Miles Davis, BB King and many others … As for the fate of the other musicians: keyboardist-trumpeter Adam Ippolito and bassist Gary Van Scyoc trumpeter joined a group of “Plastic Ono Band” and a later incarnation of Elephants Memorie. Saxophonist Marty Fogel became a member of  Lou Reed's band. 

Four songs are original written by Alan Abrahams co-penned with musicians, not from the band. The group is very different from  “Chicago” and “Blood, Sweat & Tears”  actually more solid rock, blended heavenly with blues, jazz and soul. 

Tracks

1. People Gonna Talk (Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham) - 3:01

2. I Put A Spell On You (Jalacy "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins) - 4:45

3. Neighbor, Neighbor (Alton Joseph Valier) - 2:48

4. I Can't Make It Alone (Carole King, Gerry Goffin) - 4:58

5. Easy Time Now (Alan Abrahams, David Ahlers, M. Barcley) - 3:18

6. Abe's Blues (Alan Abrahams) - 5:20

7. Wake Up Mr. Charlie (Lloyd Baskin) - 2:49

8. Out Of Town (Alan Abrahams, M. Barcley) - 1:34

9. Top Of The World (Alan Abrahams, David Ahlers, M. Barcley) - 2:43

Pig Iron 

*Alan Abrahams - Lead Vocals, Drums

*Marty Fogel - Saxophone

*Adam Ippolito - Keyboards, Trumpet, Vocals

*Bill Peters - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Paul Squire - Trumpet

*Gary Van Scyoc - Bass, Trumpet, Vocals

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Little John - Up And Down (1970 us, fascinating jazz brass rock)

Little John formed in the late 60's, in Oakland, California. Members were John Hart, Mike Pia, Sal Saccardo, Lex Silva and Vince Wallace. they recorded and released an album on Columbia/Epic tittled "Up And Down". Wallace said that the company sabotaged the album, stating, "They made us sound like a mediocre band, when we were really one of the best bands around." Wallace claims Little John was undercut because Columbia was intent on pushing Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago and didn't want competition from other horn bands. Ultimately, the record company abandoned the group, and they soon broke up.

On "Up and Down" appears the original version of "Bombay Calling", written by Vince Wallace, and got fame by LaFlamme's band "It's A Beautiful Day" and a different treatment from Deep Purple as "Child In Time". 

Tracks

1. Lonely Years (John Hart) - 3:08

2. Grey-Blue (Mike Pia) - 2:50

3. Up And Down (Mike Pia) - 7:00

4. Wood Grain Alcohol (John Hart) - 4:09

5. Bombay Calling (Vince Wallace) - 3:22

6. Whirled Piece (John Hart) - 4:15

7. New Day/ It Appears To Be (Mike Pia) - 8:54

Little John

*Mike Pia - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals 

*John Hart - Lead Guitar, Vocals 

*Sal Saccardo - Percussion, Vocals

*Vince Wallace - Saxophones

*Lex Silva - Bass

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Karen Beth - Harvest 1970 us, peaceful, light and pleasant folk country rock)

Karen Beth's wide range voice and fragile songs on her second LP "Harvest", focused on the effect of words and music as sound as often as on meaning and the result is most pleasing to ear.

Tracks

1. Like Wine To Me - 4:00

2. Last Time - 2:39

3. Sometimes True - 4:10

4. The Way Back - 4:02

5. Hard Luck Mama - 2:10

6. Hold Tight - 2:21

7. Gentle Place - 4:22

8. I'm No Good For You - 2:47

9. No Apologies - 2:56

10.Ribbon - 1:22

11.Up To My Neck In High Muddy W - 2:48

Music and Lyrics by Karen Beth

Musicians

*Karen Beth - Voclas, Acoustic, Electric Guitar, Piano, Autoharp

*Joey Bell - Lead Guitar, Bass, Trumpet

*Pogp - Drums

*Bill Lavorgan - Drums

*Allan Schwartzberg - Drums

*Don Brocks - Harmonica

*Pat Rebillot - Organ, Celeste

1969  Karen Beth - The Joys Of Life  

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Green Lyte Sunday - Green Lyte Sunday (1970 us, magnificent soulful psych rock)

Green Lyte Sunday formed in 1968 when bassist James Wyatt and keyboardist Michael Losekamp hired guitarist Jason Hollinger, reedist Fly Barlow, drummer Rick Kalb, and singer Susan Darby.

Wyatt and Losekamp hailed from Dayton, Ohio, garage rockers Mark V, which issued two singles in 1967: the speedy fuzz/farfisa rocker “Hey Conductor” (b/w “You Bring These Tears to Me,” a crooning baritone ballad with silvery organ) and the Rascals-style soul rocker “Can’t Buy My Soul” (b/w “When I Close My Eyes”). Losekamp briefly joined Pennsylvanian posters The Cyrkle for their 1967 second album Neon. 

In 1969, Green Lyte Sunday cut a standalone single for small-press King, “She’s My Lover” (b/w “Lenore”). Their singular album appeared on RCA Victor in 1970. It features six Losekamp originals, including “Glen Helen,” “Happy Happy,” and “What Makes Him Happy.” The side 2 centerpiece, “High Up in the Sky,” is a Losekamp/Hollinger co-write. Green Lyte Sunday also includes compositions by Joni Mitchell (“Chelsea Morning”) and Laura Nyro (“Emmie,” “Woman’s Blues”).

Green Lyte Sunday was recorded at RCA’s Music Center of the World studios in Los Angeles. The album was produced by one Peter Shelton and engineered by Grover Helsley (Myrth, Harry Nilsson, Ivar Avenue Reunion, Friends of Distinction). US copies came in a gatefold sleeve with a psychedelic stained-glass illustration of the band on a green lamp (front and back). The innerfold features lyrics and a b&w photo of each member. “Chelsea Morning” and “Emmie” were paired for an RCA 7″.

Losekamp sang backing vocals on a 2013 reunion disc by southern rockers Dixie Peach.

Jazz-Rock-Soul

Tracks

1. Happy Happy - 3:50

2. If You Want To Be Free - 2:35

3. Emmie (Laura Nyro) - 4:20

4. Glen Helen - 4:44

5. Woman's Blues (Laura Nyro) - 3:41

6. Lenore - 2:07

7. Chelsea Morning (Joni Mitchell) - 3:44

8. High Up In The Sky (Michael Losekamp, Jason Hollinger) - 4:20

9. What Makes Him Happy - 4:40

10.My Own Time - 5:35

All songs by Michael Losekamp except where stated

Green Lyte Sunday

*Susan Darby - Vocals  

*Michael Losekamp - Vocals, Keyboards 

*Fly Barlow - Woodwinds, Saxophone  

*Jason Hollinger - Guitar 

*Rick Kalb - Drums, Backing Vocals  

*James Wyatt - Bass

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Ruphus - Let Your Light Shine (1975 norway, spectacular prog jazz rock, 2005 remaster)

With their third album, Ruphus turned to Terje Rypdal as producer, and the result sees a decided turn away from the symphonic rock of Ransahrt towards jazz-rock. Original singer Gudny Aspaas is back on board, this time as the sole vocalist, but aside from the departure of singer Rune Ostdahl the rest of the band remains intact: Asle Milsen (bass), Thor Bendiksen (drums), Kjell Larsen (guitar), and Hakon Graf (keyboards). Rypdal provides some added synthesizer on a couple of tracks, but the famous producer lets the band shine on their own. 

They get off to a great start with “Sha Ba Wah,” a high-energy fusion tune with Aspaas providing a wordless melody and sounding oddly like what might have happened if Annie Haslam had guested with a jazz group. “Corner” is a keyboard-dominated piece with an easy groove reminiscent of something Camel might have done around Moonmadness. This slides into “Second Corner,” a great jazz-rock tune a little like Colosseum II with slightly less flashy soloing. Bendiksen’s drumming is outstanding here, frantically busy with great interplay between cymbals and snare. I’m amazed that he has so few credits outside Ruphus, given the skills he shows here.

The title track, which originally started Side B of the LP, is the first track with lyrics. Aspaas does great with the contrasts between the verses, which are relatively quiet and breathy, and the chorus, where she gets to belt out the notes. Quite often I find vocals in this kind of jazz to just not work very well, but Ruphus manages to do it right, and it’s actually disappointing that Aspaas appears on only three of the seven tracks. Let Your Light Shine strikes a very appealing balance between funky jazz and accessible rock.

by Jon Davis, 2020-07-23

Tracks

1. Sha Ba Wah - 7:32

2. Nordlys (Asle Nilsen, Hakon Graf) - 1:45

3. Corner - 4:21

4. Second Corner - 6:36

5. Let Your Light Shine (Audun Tylden, Hakon Graf) - 8:17

6. Grasse (Kjell Larsen) - 1:51

7. Brain Boogie - 9:54

All songs by Hakon Graf except where indicated

Ruphus

*Gudny Aspaas - Lead Vocals 

*Thor Bendiksen - Drums 

*Hakon Graf - Keyboards 

*Kjell Larsen - Guitar 

*Asle Nilsen - Bass, Flute 

With

*Terje Rypdal - Synthesizers (2-5)

1973  Ruphus - New Born Day  

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Karen Beth - The Joys Of Life (1969 us, gorgeous haunting aethereal folk)

The Joys of Life is Karen Beth’s best early album which was released off Decca in 1969. Beth was not a popular artist so it was strange when this underground record peaked at #171 in Billboard’s Top 200 in 1969. The good thing about The Joys of Life is that it’s a strong record without a steep price tag and easy to find on vinyl – just check your local record dealer or better yet, ebay.

Beth’s vocals are a mixture of Karen Dalton and Buffy Sainte-Marie and the album is a beautiful blend of rural folk, lite psychedelia, and the more downer elements of the singer-songwriter genre. The album opener It’s All Over Now has one too many horns and is by far the lp’s weakest track. After this, there are no false starts or wasted notes; this album is completely solid all the way thru. The title track is an unsettling acid folk masterpiece that begins to rock about mid way thru and is highlighted by organ and vibes. Song to a Shepard is an impressive, stark vocal that sounds centuries behind, similar to what the English folk-rock groups were doing from around the same time. Other tracks reach into deeper, darker moods, just listen to Something to Believe In and the excellent Nothing Lasts. The former is a disturbing slice of spooky folk-jazz paranoia while the latter is a majestic, melancholy folk-rocker. White Dakota Hill, another great track, is wistful with a slight C&W feel that gives this album variety and substance.

Anyone into Margo Guryan or Linda Perhacs is strongly urged to track this record down. The Joys of Life really deserves a first time cd or vinyl reissue as it’s a pretty unique record that needs to be heard by more people.

by Jason Nardelli

Tracks

1. It's All Over Now - 2:44

2. In The Morning (Karen Beth, Alan Jarosz) - 3:19

3. I Know That You Know (Karen Beth, Alan Jarosz) - 2:42

4. The Joys Of Life - 4:36

5. Something To Believe In - 2:23

6. April Rain - 2:20

7. White Dakota Hill (Karen Beth, Alan Jarosz) - 2:54

8. Come December (Karen Beth, Karen Haber) - 5:30

9. Song To A Shepherd - 2:41

10.Nothing Lasts - 5:27

11.Tomorrow's A New Day - 2:33

All songs by Karen Beth except where noted

*Karen Beth - Vocals, Guitar

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