Crazy Horse - Crazy Moon (1978 us, amazing classic rock, extra tracks edition)

Six years went by between the release of Crazy Horse's third album, At Crooked Lake, and its fourth, Crazy Moon, and a lot of water went under the bridge in the meantime. Crazy Horse was, in effect, three different bands on its first three albums because the only constants were bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina as lead singers, songwriters, guitarists, and keyboardists came and went. The band name seemed to be retired by 1973, but in 1974 Talbot and Molina hooked up with singer/guitarist Frank Sampedro as Crazy Horse, leading to sessions with their erstwhile employer Neil Young that resulted in the Young/Crazy Horse album Zuma. At the same time, they recorded some Crazy Horse tracks that sat around for years, finally being finished off in the summer of 1978 for release here. 

The result is the first album since their debut, 1971's Crazy Horse, that sounds identifiable as the band that backs Young. In part, that's because Young himself is present on guitar on the tracks "She's Hot," "Going Down Again," "New Orleans," "Downhill," and "Thunder and Lighting," and brings along his production associates David Briggs and Tim Mulligan as well as his pedal steel player Ben Keith. But it's also because this is a well-realized effort on which Sampedro proves to be the first of the many successors to original guitarist Danny Whitten to fit in well with Molina and Talbot; because Molina and Talbot have upped their participation beyond providing the rhythm and some vocals, contributing to the songwriting as well; and because the guest musicians include a bevy of Crazy Horse alumni and friends including keyboardist Barry Goldberg (producer of the pre-Crazy Horse band the Rockets); Greg Leroy (Crazy Horse guitarist, 1971-1972); Bobby Notkoff (Rockets violinist); and Michael Curtis (Crazy Horse keyboardist, 1972). This is something of a Crazy Horse reunion effort, and it shows the band off at its best, or at least probably as good as it could be without co-founder Whitten, who died in 1972. 

by William Ruhlmann

Tracks

1. She's Hot (Steve Antoine, Frank "Poncho" Sampedro) - 3:11

2. Downhill (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro) - 4:15

3. Going Down Again (Ralph Molina) - 3:26 

4. Thunder and Lightning (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, Billy Talbot) - 3:58

5. New Orleans (Ben Keith, Billy Talbot) - 3:11 

6. That Day (Billy Talbot) - 3:18

7. Lost and Lonely Feelin' (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro) - 3:10

8. End of the Line (Ralph Molina) - 3:10

9. Dancin' Lady (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, Billy Talbot) - 3:23

10.Love Don't Come Easy (Ralph Molina) - 3:10

11.Too Late Now (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro) - 2:54 

12.Lady Soul (Mike Curtis) - 3:40

13.Rock And Roll Band (Sydney Jordon) - 3:08

14.Pills Blues (George Whitsell) - 4:01

15.Let Me Go (Danny Whitten) - 3:47

16.Stretch Your Skin (Danny Whitten) - 4:10

17.Won't You Say You'll Stay (Danny Whitten) - 2:45

18.Mr Chips (Danny Whitten) - 2:22

Tracks 1-11 Original album "Crazy Moon" 1978

Tracks 12-13 from "At Crooked Lake" 1972

Tracks 14-18 as The Rockets from "The Rockets" 1968

Crazy Horse

*Billy Talbot - Bass, Vocals

*Ralph Molina - Drums, Vocals

*Frank "Poncho" Sampedro - Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica, Piano

With

*Neil Young - Guitar (Tracks 1-5)

*Barry Goldberg - Piano, Keyboards

*Greg Leroy - Guitar, Vocals (Tracks 7,10-13)

*Michael Curtis - Synthesizer (Track 6)

*Bobby Notkoff - Violin (Tracks 9,12-18)

*Kenny Walther - Trombone (Tracks 4,10)

*Tom Bray - Trumpet (Tracks 4,10)

*Mike Kowalski - Drums (Track 10)

*Jay Graydon - Guitar (Tracks 6,8)

*Steve Lawrence - Saxophone (Track 4,10)

*Ben Keith - Pedal Steel Guitar (Track 7)

*Rick Curtis - Vocals, Piano, Organ, Guitars, Mandolin, Banjo (Tracks 12,13)

*Patti Moan - Vocals (Track 12)

*Danny Whitten - Guitar (Tracks 14-18)

*Leon Whitsell - Guitar (Tracks 14-18)

*George Whitsell - Guitar (Tracks 14-18)

1962-73  Crazy Horse - Scratchy, Complete Recordings

1972  Crazy Horse - At Crooked Lake (2013 remaster)
1968  The Rockets - The Rockets

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Gary Shearston - Abreaction (1967 australia, magnificent baroque folk rock)

Gary Shearston, Australian singer and songwriter, was a leading figure of the folk music revival of the 1960s. He has an enduring legacy in his meticulously researched versions of old 'bush' songs (folk songs), which have long been source material for younger performers. In his own younger years he was a popular singer with chart success in Australia (especially Sydney) and had his own TV show ("Just Folk").

As he matured, Gary achieved international success as a songwriter (including Sometime Lovin' performed by Peter, Paul and Mary) and as a recording artist (his distinctive version of Cole Porter's I Get A Kick Out Of You was a worldwide hit in 1974).

Over the years his music absorbed and adapted a diverse range of elements including Australian Aboriginal and West Indian reggae (before either was popular with mainstream western audiences). He wrote songs with influences that ranged from Irish traditional to Japanese, and released an album with jazz arrangements that perplexed his folkie and pop music fans.

Since returning to live in Australia in 1988 Gary was often placed in the country music genre and he showed that he was equal to the best in that style too. In 1990 his iconic song Shopping On A Saturday was recognised with the Tamworth Songwriters' Association's award for Bush Ballad of the Year.

Gary Shearston thwarts attempts to categorise his musical style because he never stuck to just one, but we can say that over an active recording life of some 50 years he wrote, sang and recorded wonderfully evocative and distinctively Australian original songs.

In his 50s, an age when he might have started taking it easier, Gary followed his faith and became a hard-working grass-roots country-based Christian minister. When he finally retired in 2007 he again threw himself into songwriting, and over the following several years his output was prodigious! Many of the 'new' songs reflect on a life full of twists and turns and the characters he's known along the way. And, as always, his heart is on his sleeve, for all to see (or hear). 

Gary Shearston 

Tracks

1. Faded Streets, Windy Weather - 3:53

2. Monday's Child - 2:58

3. Hey! Honey, Give Me Some Money - 3:07

4. Rainbow Girl - 2.59

5. We'll Be Back In Just A Moment After This Important, Informative Interlude - 5:37

6. Sometime Lovin' - 5:36

7. Go On, Girl - 3:53

8. Last Night I Had The Strangest Delirium Tremendous - 4:22

9. Don't Wave To Me Too Long - 3:17

10.Crooked Hill - 7:29

Music and Lyrics by Gary Shearston

Musicians

*Gary Shearston - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica

*Richard Brooks - Harmonica

*Ed Gaston - Bass

*Sven Libaek - Piano, Organ, Harpsichord

*Peter Martin - Guitar

*Bob McIvor - Trombone

*John Sangster - Vibes, Drums

*Sven Libaek - Arrangments

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Various Artists - Sunday Sunshine The World Of SNB Records (1968-69 uk, potent exotic baroque pop psych, 2008 release)

Mention the name Simon Napier-Bell to ’60s music aficionados and they will remember him as manager and producer of The Yardbirds and/or John’s Children. ’70s/80s buffs might think of his stints managing Japan and Wham! But not many will remember that Napier-Bell actually ran his own label, SNB Records, for a period of roughly 18 months between ’68-69. A venture shared by hipster/actor David Hemmings and mostly a ploy to escape an old EMI contract Napier-Bell was saddled with, SNB nonetheless released some memorable material during its short run. 

Many of the 20 tracks assembled here are of the baroque pop variety, making the compilation something like a mini-Nuggets if some of the minor acts were trying to be The Left Banke instead of The Stones and The Who, et al. The most notable name from the rag-tag bunch on SNB’s roster is Mellow Candle, whose ’72 album Swaddling Songs is now a rediscovered acid-folk treasure. The song that will make you howl is Andy Ellison’s (former singer for John’s Children) fey, camped-up version of The Beatles’ ‘You Can’t Do That’. Hubert Thomas Valverde & The HTs (who?!) do a number called ‘Genevieve’ that sounds like a drag performer tarting up Scott Walker. A lot of this stuff is throwaway but almost all of it is at least interesting (if not just for its oddness), and a few tracks are downright jewels.

by Brian Greene

One of the movers and shakers of the music biz in the modern era has been Simon Napier Bell, and during 1968-1969 he put his talents into A&R-ing his own label. Fresh from managing The Yardbirds, Johns Children and co-authoring for Dusty Springfield, and with backing from CBS, SNB picked up on the hip pop world flowing through London at the time. It is an extraordinary assortment from which we have high production values with the likes of the talented Ian Green as arranger. As you would expect most of the singles are today very rare, and have not been reissued or released on CD. That said there is growing awareness of the music from numerous quarters, with pick up from internet radio stations to magazines, and the label has attained a cult standing. 

Artists - Tracks - Composer

1. Jon Plum - Alice (David Plummer, Jonathan Kennett) - 3:35

2. Hubert Thomas And The HT'S - We Don't Care (Nanette Workman, Richard Keen) - 2:31 

3. Mellow Candle - Feeling High (Clodagh Simmonds) - 2:21

4. Andy Ellingsen - Cornflake Zoo (Terry Maundrell) - 2:03 

5. Clive Sands - Marie (Clive Sands) - 3:20 

6. Andy Ellinson - You Can't Do That (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:48  

7. Flamma Sherman - Move Me (Corina Flamma Sherman, Georgia Flamma Sherman, Louiza Flamma Sherman, Victoria Flamma Sherman) - 2:42 

8. Sheila Scott Wilkinson - Quiet Man (Ray Singer, Jimmy Winston) - 2:48

9. Sue Wilshaw - Empty Sunday (Simon Napier-Bell, Rose Wickham) - 2:16 

10.Rory Fellowes - Endlessly, Friendlessly Blue (Rory Fellowes) - 4:27 

11.Clive Sands - In A Dream (Clive Sarstedt) - 2:24  

12.Jon Plum - Sunshine (David Plummer, Jonathan Kennett) - 2:40 

13.Jon Plum - An Apple Falls (David Plummer, Jonathan Kennett) - 2:25 

14.Hubert Thomas And The HT'S - Hubert Thomas And The HT'S (James Luck, John Szego) - 2:39 

15.David Blake - Now Is The Time (Terry Maundrell) - 2:58 

16.Nicola Davies - Infatuation (Simon Napier-Bell) - 2:20

17.Francoise Pascale - Got It Badly (Terry Maundrell) - 2:29 

18.Mellow Candle - Tea With The Sun (Clodagh Simmonds) - 3:19 

19.Flamma Sherman - Bass Love (Flamma Sherman) - 3:14 

20.Rory Fellowes - Nina (Rory Fellowes) - 4:01 

Related Acts

1972  Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs (2004 bonus tracks edition)  

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Jake Jones - Different Roads (1971 us, excellent rural prog rock)

Jake Jones were a quintet from St. Louis Missouri, formed sometime in late ‘60’s. They had an unusual sound with the use of various instruments, like melotron, violins, cellos and flutes. In addition to melotron, Phil Jost (one of the five members of the band) also plays the more conventional  electric organ and piano. Chuck Sabatino was the lead singer, Joe Marshall on lead guitar, Mike Krenski the bass player and Jim Bilderback was the drummer.

Jake Jones performs all original music, Different Roads is a 1971 release on the Kapp label featuring a mix of progressive rock and folk rock, there are three long tracks (over 6 minutes each), where the band unfolds its virtues. There is a also a third record which never came out in the  record stores. Their last job was in 1973, opening act for the Eagles, and Dan Fogelberg, in Springfield, Illinois, soon after they split.

Joe Marshall moved back in St. Louis, where he played at local bars between 1984 and 1996 he also was member in a group called "The Sloppy Joes", as well as with a weddiing band called "Sundance and Brass", until his death.

Phil Jost moved to LA in 1978 and became assistant to Producer/Engineer Ken Scott. (Superertramp, David Bowie, Elton John) he worked on albums both as a player and or engenering & production with the Dixie Dreggs & Steve Morris, Stanley Clarke, Jeff Beck, Kansas, Supertramp and many orthers including Missing Persons. He also passed away.

Chuck Sabatino had a stroke while playing for Mike MacDonald in Los Angeles in 1994. A benefit was put on at Mississippi nights in 1994 for Chuck by many of his friends and former bandmates. He passed away in 1996 in Belleville, Illinois where his family had moved back to. Mike Krenski, who wrote "The Cheater" in 1965 for Bob Kuban and the In-Men, quit from his musical activities and became a teacher for would-be pilots, worked for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing.

Tracks

1. I'll See You Through (Joey Marshall) - 3:46

2. Of No Concern (Phil Jost) - 3:00

3. When Your Brother (Mike Krenski) - 3:17

4. Motherly Comfort (Chuck Sabatino) - 3:15

5. A Suite From The Court Jester (Chuck Sabatino) - 9:29

6. Speak To Me Lady (Phil Jost) - 6:28

7. Child Child (Plus Tag) (Mike Krenski, Chuck Sabatino, Joey Marshall, Phil Jost) - 4:06

8. It's Only Love You Know (Joey Marshall) - 4:27

9. Different Roads (Mike Krenski, Chuck Sabatino, Joey Marshall, Phil Jost) - 7:11

Jake Jones

*Joey Marshall - Electric, Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar

*Phil Jost - Hammond Organ, Moog, Piano, Vocals, Tenor Saxophone, Accordion, Chimes, Guitar

*Chuck Sabatino - Vocals, Flute

*Jim Bilderback - Drums

*Mike Krenski - Bass, Vocals

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The Steve Brown Band - Soul Full Of Sin (1971-73 uk, superb underground jazz prog rock, 2021 digipak)

One of the greatest bands no ones heard of who are hereby rescued from slipping into the ether, despite once being on the verge of a deal with Transatlantic and garnering a massive live following in their native Newcastle Upon Tyne area during the early to mid seventies its only now that they have their lp debut. A hard working live band that played alongside the greats, its unbelievable they didnt have at least 3 lps released. starting as an underground folk singer then going the progressive route, Steve Brown formed this outfit in 71 and they quickly developed a tight style of cool but potent jazz rock, characterised by lengthy powerful instrumental breaks and sax, and infectious beats. 

This lp pieces together what should have been a debut LP on Transatlantic from remaining studio tapes and acetate sources and has good audio quality, the six tracks are pure killer, opening with the masterpiece ‘Hitman’ which is sung first person from the point of view of an assassin for hire, stone cold cool with a fantastic bassline and rhythm it conjurs up early seventies nihilistic film and tv imagery such as The Sweeney, Dirty Harry and Michael Caine...the side then ends with a genuine lost anthem in ‘Shine A Light’ which is epic and melancholic and should have had stadiums of people lifting up their lighters.

The lyrics are fab, and have a worldly wise quality about them, another song is a paean to an english Pint (quite probably Newcastle Brown Ale), but utterly, obscurely poetic, evoking the sense of peace and pleasure gained when sitting finally alone in a tranquil environment and gazing in silent anticipation at a drink in front of ones person, it evokes the pleasure that only comes with experience of hardship before that moment. This is a completely pro band, with brilliant songs, and a unique style. Hitman and Shine A Light could easily achieve staple late night radio play, and indeed thats when you want to hear this album, late night, in contemplative serious mood. 

In 73 the band hit a bad patch, burnt out by extensive gigging, they crashed their Transit Tour Van on a motorway, miraculously surviving with the Van straddling central crash barriers and written off, police then took away their jamaican keyboard player and imprisoned him on suspected illegal immigration reasons. management then tried to push the band toward a mainstream direction and a single was issued of their worst ever tracks, we have enough material restored for two lps, this is the first and its highly recommended. the LP is a genuine lost classic and all 6 tracks are fab.

Roughtr

Tracks

1.  Hitman (Steve Brown, John Farmer, Jeff Barak, Gowan Turnbull, Charlie Gordon) - 7:21

2. Night Flight (Steve Brown, Charlie Gordon) - 7:16

3. Shine A Light - 5:29 

4. Marija (John Farmer, Charlie Gordon) - 6:15 

5. City (The Lights Of Love) - 4:37

6. Soul Full Of Sin - 7:03 

The Steve Brown Band

*Steve Brown - Guitar, Lead Vocal

*John Farmer - Bass, Vocal

*Jeff Barak - Drums, Vocal

*Gowan Turnbull - Saxophone, Vocal

*Charlie Gordon - Electric Piano, Keyboards, Vocal

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The Zipps - Be Stoned! Dig- Zipps (1965-69 netherland, excellent garage beat folk psych)

The Zipps were a delightful little mid-'60s Merseybeat band from the Nether Regions, playing their zippy peppy tunes with an Easybeats-esque sense of decent mid-60s hookery before diving headlong into mind-not-expanding harpsichord-fuelled light psycho-delia. The hooks may not be timeless, but there's certainly a lot of unintentional humor to be enjoyed! First of all, who doesn't adore an adorable Dutch accent? "Hurt" becomes "Hirt," "too" becomes "tu" with an umlaut over the u, and the adoration of adorable angora ardure arbor

Instead of making unlimited fun of the Dutch and their silly Dutch ways (i.e. splitting the check whenever they go out on a date), why don't I describe the band's history chronologically? Wouldn't that be nice? Seemingly not content to rely on the speedy Chuck Berryisms of "Highway Gambler" and charmingly naive Bo Diddlyisms of "Roll The Cotton Down" that adorned their harmless and catchy debut single, the band quickly progressed to writing darker and more dynamic (not to mention shake-your-headingly dated) '60s lingo pieces like "Hipsterism" and "Kicks And Chicks" ("So hang arond, stick arond - git yir kicks! Hang arond, stick arond, git yir chicks!") Catchy? Heck yes! Good tunes all around those two are, with recorders, jazzy guitar solos and everything. But The Zipps' career wasn't over yet. Not by a longshoreman!

The drug use continued, resulting in the 15-minute Dutch-language (if there IS in fact a "Dutch language") "Beat And Poetry" single, which is exactly what it sounds like, and not in a good way. This was followed by the much more enjoyable (if not for the reasons they intended) laugh-yourself-hoarse "Marie Juana" (a FAR too dramatic harpsichord song about a.... "girl".... named "Marie Juana") and what I'd have to guess was intended as a legitimate novelty track, "The Struggle For Ice-Cold Milk of Benzi The Bassplayer or How To Promote Original Dutch Milk" (or "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite Part II," if you ask my vocal melody). After this they backed up some lowlife non-American lounge singer for one unlistenably bland single before all bustin' up, reforming a couple years later to record the fuzzed-out mind-expanding drug fucking over-serious idiocy "When You Tell It, Tell It Well" and its presumed b-side, the cool evil thumping psych-beat nugget "Lotus Love." Then there's a couple of live tunes, a non-English interview that's news to me, and four hundred billion goddamned alternate versions of "Kicks And Chicks" for all those folks who bought the disc after hearing the Nuggets Vol. II box set.

by Mark Prindle

Tracks

1. Highway Gambler (Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:08

2. Roll The Cotton Down (Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:42

3. Kicks And Chicks (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten) - 3:11

4. Hipsterism (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten) - 3:07

5. Beat And Poetry (Part 1) (Ben Katerberg, Cees Boender, John Noce Santoro, Peter Nuyten, Philip "Byron" Elzerman, Theo Verschoor) - 7:06

6. Beat And Poetry (Part 2) (Ben Katerberg, Cees Boender, John Noce Santoro, Peter Nuyten, Philip "Byron" Elzerman, Theo Verschoor) - 7:40

7. Marie Juana (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten) - 3:14

8. The Struggle For Ice-Cold Milk Of Benzi The Bassplayer Or How To Promote Original Dutch Milk (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten, Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:23

9. When You Tell It, Tell It Well..! (Marian De Garriga) - 3:09

10.Lotus Love (Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:50

11.Walking On This Road To Mine Town (Traditional) - 2:48

12.The Beer Hall Song (Traditional) - 4:54

13.Kicks And Chicks (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten) - 3:35

14.Avec De L'Italie (Philippe Salerne) - 2:08

15.Venez Voire Comme On S'Aime (Philippe Salerne) - 1:30

16.Lotus Love (Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:54

17.The Struggle For Ice-Cold Milk Of Benzi The Bassplayer Or How To Promote Original Dutch Milk (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten, Philip "Byron" Elzerman) - 2:21

18.Kicks And Chicks (Ben Katerberg, Peter Nuyten) - 3:10

19.LSD 25 Interview - 6:28

Tracks 14-15 as Philippe Salerne And The Zipps

The Zipps

*Jan Bek - Vocals (1965-1966)

*Philip "Byron" Elzerman - Vocals, Guitar, Flute, Harmonica

*Peter Nuyten - Guitar (1965-1967)

*Theo Verschoor - Bass (1965-67) 

*John Noce Santoro - Drums (1965-1967,1968-1969)

*Wim Klein - Drums (1967)

*Dick Visschers - Guitar (1968-69)

*Ruud Van Seventer - Bass (1968-69)

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Ol' Paint - Ol' Paint (1971 us, amazing power pop psych folk, fallout reissue)

Ol' Pant were formed in Syracuse, NY, round 1970, their only album released 1971, is a collection of psych-tinged power pop first appeared in 1971, and has languished in undeserved obscurity ever since. The band are thought to have come from New York, and display a clear Beatles influence, covering similar ground to that which Big Star would make its own a couple of years later.

Tracks

1. Always In The Way (Tony Caputo) - 2:44

2. She Leaves Free (Tony Caputo) - 2:45

3. It’s My Birthday (Tony Caputo) - 3:43

4. All For Love (Tony Caputo) - 3:11

5. I’m A Natural Man (Tony Caputo) - 3:02

6. Was I Surprised (Phil Zeppetello) - 4:04

7. Mogitah (Andy Mendelson) - 3:23

8. Victims Of The Sex Revolution (Tony Caputo, Allen Williams) - 2:59

9. Up From The Sea (Andy Mendelson) - 4:02

10.You Are My Friend (Andy Mendelson) - 3:47

11.Good-Bye (Andy Mendelson) - 3:03

12.Down So Long (Phil Zeppetello) - 2:16

Ol' Paint

*Tony Caputo - Vocals

*Phil Zeppetello - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

*Andy Mendelson - Lead Guitar, Organ, Vocals

*John Bujak - Electric Bass

*Richard Mendelson - Drums

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Crystal Circus - In Relation To Our Times (1968 us, nice psychedelia, 2001 akarma hard sleeve edition)

Crystal Circus were an American psych-rock band from Los Angeles that test-ran the album In Relation to Our Times on small-press All-American in 1968. 

Most of the songs have nice, bouncy tunes with major/minor melodic alternations; pleasing sunshine pop harmonies; and appropriately psychedelic organ, fuzz guitars, trippy orchestration, vocal distortion, and odd effects. The lyrics might be superficially far-out, but again, impressions like those recorded in "Circus and Zoo World" are a good complement for this kind of candy pop-psych. Occasionally, they get into more of a straightforward garage-ish hard rock-soul blend, like on "Never Again," but it's the more ethereal and poppy numbers that stand out. 

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks

1. In Relation (To Our Times) (Bill Holmes, Bob Feldman, Jack Bielan) - 2:21

2. Don't Say I Didn't Warn You (Bill Holmes, Jack Bielan, Rose Kaufman) - 2:33

3. Girl Like You (Greg Munford) - 2:13

4. Sittin' And Thinkin' (Bill Holmes, Gary 'Solo' Solomon, Norma Dunman) - 2:07

5. Twisted Conversation (Greg Munford) - 3:38

6. Merry-Go-Round (Bill Holmes, Gary 'Solo' Solomon, Jack Bielan, Norma Dunman) - 3:26

7. Circus And Zoo World (Bill Holmes, Gary 'Solo' Solomon) - 2:49

8. Never Again (Bill Holmes, Jack Bielan) - 3:15

9. Castles (In The Sand) (Greg Munford) - 2:58

10.Sweet High (Bill Holmes, Norma Dunman) - 2:51

11.The Difference Between Us (Greg Munford) - 2:26

12.The World Of Seas And Rivers (Bill Holmes, Jack Bielan) - 4:31

Crystal Circus

*Bruce Turner - Lead Guitar

*Greg Munford - Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals 

*Bob Feldman - Bass, Lead Vocals 

*Jack Bielan - Keyboards, Vibraphone

*Gary "Solo" Solomon - Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Lead Vocals 

*Terry Rae - Drums

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Moloch - Moloch (1969 us, solid acid blues rock)

Moloch was a lynchpin of the Memphis psychedelic scene of the late ’60s. Moloch emerged from the fertile musical scene in Memphis, Tennessee, in the year 1969. Formed by guitarist Lee Baker - guitar, backing vocals, Phillip Durham - drums, backing vocal, Fred Nicholson - keyboard, Steve Spear And Gene Wilkins - vocals, toured alongside the MC5 and the Stooges and were offered the opportunity to make an album for the local company Stax in 1970.

Moloch’s self-titled album is a combination of rock, hard blues, psychedelic acid-washed guitar solos, and blue eyed soul. But despite the band members’ abbreviated time together, Moloch remain influential in the Blues world, and, even more so in Memphis lore. In his liner notes, Bob Mehr writes, “the legacy of the band is bigger than a single song. Over the decades, the LP became a totem for guitarists and blues seekers alike, for whom Moloch remains godhead.” Mehr goes on to praise the band’s late guitarist, Lee Baker, declaring that “Baker’s work continues to exert a profound influence on a generation of Memphis guitar players. The Moloch LP served as a touchstone for the North Mississippi Allstars’ Luther Dickinson and the Hold Steady’s Steve Selvidge, among other acolytes.”

Recorded in the legendary Ardent studio with producer Don Nix - producer of Lonnie Mack, Furry Lewis, Freddy King, Albert King, Delaney & Bonnie, Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers and others, and often credited as one of the leading architects of "Memphis Sound ", although most of the songs were written by Nix - including the original version of Goin 'Down, which later became a hit re-recorded Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Deep Purple, Pearl Jam among others the sound is unmistakable , And brings influences from the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Blue Cheer, as well as blues musicians such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes and Bukka White - all of whom Baker had previously played in the legendary Memphis Country Blues Festivals of the late 60's. The album was a triumph, but could not sell, which led the band to separate in 1971.

Tracks

1. Helping Hand - 3:20

2. Maverick Woman Blues - 3:04

3. Outta Hand (Don Nix, Gene Wilkins) - 2:50

4. Same Old Blues - 2:57

5. Going Down - 2:57

6. She Looks Like An Angel - 4:13

7. Gone Too Long - 4:30

8. Dance Chaney Dance - 2:53

9. Mona - 2:06

10.People Keep Talking - 2:48

11.I Can Think The Same Of You (Don Nix, Gene Wilkins) - 2:44

12.Night At The Possum - 6:00

All songs by Don Nix except where noted

Moloch

*Lee Baker - Guitar, Vocals

*Steve Spear - Bass

*Phillip Durham - Drums

*Gene Wilkins - Lead Vocals

*Fred Nicholson - Organ

Related Act

1971  Edgewood - Ship Of Labor  

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Pollution - Pollution (1971 us, stunning blend of blues rock, experimental, funk, gospel, psychedelic soul)

This is Pollution's second effort, (they won the grammy contest for the best cover art) featuring the soul singer Dobie Gray, and Táta Vega (born Carmen Rosa Vega), Dobie and Tata both appeared in the L.A. Cast of Hair. 

The album is an infectious mix of blues rock, psychedelic soul, funk (close to Lydia Pense & Cold Blood). A musical discovery that is more than worth listening to. Highlights Ballad of a Well Known Gun (written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin), Dry Dream, Underdog (by Sly Stone) with the impressive vocals of singer Tata Vega and the song Lo and Behold (written by James Taylor).

Tracks

1. Travelin' High (With The Lord) (Christiaan Mostert, John Sargent) - 3:21

2. This Feelin' Won't Last Long (James Quill Smith) - 3:49

3. Ballad Of A Well Known Gun (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) - 4:43

4. Do You Really Have A Heart (Paul Williams, Rodger Nichols) - 3:31

5. Dry Dream (Christiaan Mostert, James Quill Smith) - 3:45

6. Underdog (Sylvester Stewart) - 3:59

7. River (James Quill Smith) - 4:17

8. Lo And Behold (James Taylor) - 3:52

9. Mother Earth (Lewis Simpkin, Peter Chatman) - 7:04

Pollution

*Táta Carmen-Rosa Vega - Lead Vocals, Choir Leader, Percussion

*Dobie Gray - Lead Vocals, Percussion

*James Quill Smith - Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals

*John Lambert - Bass, Backing Vocals

*Christiaan Mostert - Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

*Richard Lewis - Trumpet, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

*Dennis Kenmore - Percussion, Backing Vocals

With

*The Church Of What's Happening Now Choir - Choir

1972  Pollution - Pollution II  

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