Camel - Music Inspired By Snow Goose (1975 uk, brilliant musical opus, 2009 japan SHM double disc remaster)

Camel's classic period started with The Snow Goose, an instrumental concept album based on a novella by Paul Gallico. Although there are no lyrics on the album -- two songs feature wordless vocals -- the music follows the emotional arc of the novella's story, which is about a lonely man named Rhayader who helps nurse a wounded snow goose back to health with the help of a young girl called Fritha he recently befriended. Once the goose is healed, it is set free, but Fritha no longer visits the man because the goose is gone. Later, Rhayader is killed in battle during the evacuation of Dunkirk. 

The goose returned during the battle, and it is then named La Princesse Perdue, symbolizing the hopes that can still survive even during the evils of war. With such a complex fable to tell, it is no surprise that Camel keep their improvisational tendencies reined in, deciding to concentrate on surging, intricate soundscapes that telegraph the emotion of the piece without a single word. And even though The Snow Goose is an instrumental album, it is far more accessible than some of Camel's later work, since it relies on beautiful sonic textures instead of musical experimentation. The Snow Goose reached 22 in the UK charts 

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Tracks

Disc 1

1. The Great Marsh - 2:04

2. Rhayader - 3:02

3. Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:20

4. Sanctuary - 1:05

5. Fritha - 1:19

6. The Snow Goose - 3:12

7. Friendship - 1:44

8. Migration - 2:01

9. Rhayader Alone - 1:50

10.Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:41

11.Preparation - 3:54

12.Dunkirk - 5:25

13.Epitaph - 2:07

14.Fritha Alone - 1:30

15.La Princesse Perdue - 4:56

16.The Great Marsh - 1:15

17.Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:05

18.Rhayader - 3:11

19.Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:07

20.The Snow Goose/Freefall - 11:02

Tracks 1-16 Original Album, released 1975

Bonus Tracks 17-20

Disc 2

1. Rhayader Goes To Town - 5:08

2. Sanctuary - 1:12

3. The Snow Goose - 3:03

4. Migration - 3:31

5. Rhayader Alone - 1:43

6. Flight Of The Snow Goose - 2:56

7. Preparation - 2:04

8. Dunkirk - 5:10

9. Epitaph - 1:16

10.La Princesse Perdue - 4:40

11.The Great Marsh - 1:57

12.Selections From "The Snow Goose" (A. The Snow Goose, B. Friendship, C. Rhayader Goes To Town)

Written by Peter Bardens, Andrew Latimer

Tracks 1-11 Recorded Live For BBC Radio One "In Concert" 1975

Track 12 From BBC 2 "The Old Grey Whistle Test" 1975

Camel

*Andrew Latimer - Electric, Acoustic, Slide Guitars, Flute, Vocals (Track 8)

*Peter Bardens - Organ, Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano, Pipe Organ, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey

*Doug Ferguson - Bass, Duffle Coat

*Andy Ward - Drums, Vibes, Percussion

With

*David Bedford - Orchestral Arrangements

1973  Camel - Camel (2013 japan SHM remaster)  

1974  Camel - Mirage (2013 japan SHM)

Related Acts
1970  The Answer (2010 esoteric remaster with extra tracks)
1971  Write My Name In The Dust (Japan remaster)

1979  Peter Bardens - Heart To Heart (Japan remaster)

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The Moonrakers - Together With Him (1968 us, groovy garage psych, Vinyl issue)

From Denver, Colorado, this outfit started out as a fine punk band releasing four 45s for Tower. Amongst these are the frantic garage-punker You'll Come Back, plus excellent covers of I'm All Right and Baby, Please Don't Go. The flip to their fourth 45 was also a cover of The Guilloteens' folk-rocker.The Moonrakers evolved out of surf act The Surfin' Classics, when vocalist/guitarist Doug Dolph was replaced by Denny Flannigan. As The Surfin' Classics, they'd performed a lot of Beach Boys/Ventures material, but their name change came about when they got matched in a Battle of The Bands with Colorado's Astronauts and needed a more 'with-it' name. 

Bob MacVittie thus renamed themselves after the book he was reading at the time, Ian Fleming's novel "Moonraker".The band obtained their deal with Tower through their manager Roger Christian, a well-known L.A. disc jockey. Christian (who co-wrote Little Deuce Coupe and Don't Worry Baby with Brian Wilson), had 'connections'... The Moonrakers thus got to open for many major groups in Denver, including The Dave Clark Five, the Righteous Brothers and Sonny and Cher. The even got to meet The Beatles and Bill Haley and The Comets when they played for 50,000 screaming fans at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains. 

The band also helped promote a Denver concert with The Byrds around the time of Mr. Tambourine Man in the Ballroom at Lakeside Gardens Amusement Park, home of one of the greatest old-time rollercoasters in the world. Veeder Van Dorn:- "The Byrds parked their tour bus at the Moonraker's bass player's parents house for a few hours while they prepared for the concert, but when they all arrived at the Amusement Park, Joel's hair was dyed orange and he was mumbling 'the colors are flowing.... can you see them... can you see them?' about all the rainbow colors flowing around the Concert Hall!"With the onset of the psychedelic era came a dramatic charge of style in The Moonrakers music which is apparent on their album. Full of psychedelia with religious overtones, the cover shows the group below an altar and there is some good psychedelic guitar work plus great lyrics on The Pot Starts To Boil.Veeder Van Dorn, also claims to be the first person to play an electric banjo in a rock band:- "I purchased a steel-rimmed Ode banjo at the Denver Folklore Center from the owner Harry Tufts, and installed a simple magnetic pickup under the wooden bridge. It was used on the Moonrakers' Tower release Time And A Place, which was selected by the radio stations in Colorado Springs, sixty miles South of Denver, as the A side instead of Trip And Fall, and went to No. 1 there".During the recording of the album, Webber (ex-The Soul Survivors) and MacVittie left being replaced by Randy Walrath and Bob Sauner. 

Van Dorn also quit to join The Poor, where he got to know Bruce Palmer at a gig with Buffalo Springfield at Hollywood's 'Whisky A-Go-Go'. Shortly afterwards, Van Dorn, MacVittie, Corbetta and Webber formed Sugarloaf, although Van Dorn left after a few months (he wrote one song Things Gonna Change Some on their debut album Spaceship Earth). He then formed Mescalero Space Kit with Sam Fuller and Kip Gilbert (both ex-Rainy Daze), and Mark Kincaid (ex-Electric Prunes). Van Dorn:- "Kip Gilbert's brother Tim, who'd had a songwriting hit with Incense And Peppermints, arranged a demo session with Saul Zaentz at Fantasy Records in Berkeley. At the time Fantasy was having a huge success with Creedence Clearwater Revival. One of the original songs we recorded Earth Ain't A Jail was soon translated into I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band by the Moody Blues...".Joel Brandes later went on to manage Eric Burdon and War.

Tracks

1. Talk To The Soldier's Son (Veeder Van Dorn) - 4:08

2. He Knows Why (Veeder Van Dorn) - 3:37

3. Not Hidin' Anymore (Veeder Van Dorn, Bob Webber) - 3:00

4. He's A Comin' My Lord (Veeder Van Dorn) - 2:52

5. The Pot Starts To Boil (Veeder Van Dorn) - 3:50

6. No Number To Call (Denny Flannigan, John Collingwood Phillips) - 3:14

7. Look Outside At The Sun (Veeder Van Dorn) - 3:52

8. Take A Friend (Veeder Van Dorn, John Collingwood Phillips) - 3:54

9. Love Train (Veeder Van Dorn, John Collingwood Phillips) - 2:48

10.Find Me (Veeder Van Dorn) - 3:36

11.Together With Him (Denny Flannigan) - 3:48

The Moonrakers

*Denny Flannigan - Piano, Organ, Vocals

*Joel Brandes - Bass

*Randy Walrath - Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica

*Veeder Van Dorn - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica

*Bob Saunar - Drums

*Jerry Corbetta - Drums (Tracks 3-5, 9)

*Bob Webber - Guitar (Tracks 3-5, 9)

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Wallace Collection - Wallace Collection (1970 belgium, magnificent sunny baroque pop rock, 2015 japan SHM remaster)

Wallace Collection founded from the ashes of a band called "Sylvester's Team". Three of the original members (Sylvain Vanholme, Freddy Nieuland and Marc Hérouet) went on to form the band 16th Century, together with bass-player Christian Janssens and the classical musicians Raymond Vincent and Jacques Namotte. These two were members of the Belgian National Philharmonic Orchestra, but had been flirting with popular music already in a band called Stradivarius.

The group was launched from Britain, and a new name was found in a museum next to the EMI-headquarters : The Wallace Collection. The Australian David Mckay did the production of the first record of the band "Laughing Cavalier" They had  an instant success due to the single "Daydream". It became a hit in over 20 countries and sold millions of copies.

Sylvain Vanholme recalls how this breakthrough was also responsible for the downfall of the band in "Wit-Lof from Belgium" : "There was chaos. One day we would be playing in the North of Holland, the next day in Spain. We didn't have time to rehearse or write new material. Between two concerts, they booked us a studio and said : quickly record a song like "Daydream". The quality of the singles that followed went steadily downward. "Love" and "Serenade" at least made it to the Belgian Top 30.

In 1971 the band decided to split. Freddy Nieuland however has continued to record under the name Wallace Collection. Raymond Vincent later on formed a band called Esperanto (with German and British strings, Italian keyboards, with singers from Hawaï, Papoea and Australia. After four records the band was dumped by A&M label in 1975. Marc Hérouet, the organ-player of the band, enjoyed some success with his group Salix Alba.

The most succesful career in the years to come had Sylvain Vanholme, who has had huge hits with Two Man Sound and has produced a large number of Belgian records since (e.g. Octopus, Salix Alba, The Machines, Gorky, Jo Lemaire and Flouze, The Kids ... ).

The drummer Freddy Nieuland passed away on January 10th 2008, Raymond Vincent the violinist died 5th November 2018, and cellist Jacques Namotte died 13th December 2012.

Tracks

1. Bruxelles (Part One) (Marc Herouet, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:15

2. We Gotta Do Something New (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:37

3. Serenade (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 5:49

4. Hocus Pocus (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:10

5. We Are Machines (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:22

6. Love (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 3:50

7. Let Me Love Her (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:26

8. Since You're Gone For Evermore (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:46

9. Dear Beloved Secretary (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 3:43

10.Tic-Toc (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:26

11.When (Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:35

12.See The Man (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 3:16

12.Bruxelles (Part Two) (Raymond Vincent, Sylvain VanHolmen, David Mackay) - 2:42

The Wallace Collection

*Freddy Nieuland - Drums, Vocals

*Sylvain VanHolmen - Guitar, Vocals

*Marc Herouet - Keyboards 

*Christian Janssens - Bass

*Raymond Vincent - Violin

*Jacques Namotte - Cello

1969  Wallace Collection - Laughing Cavalier / Serenade (2004 remaster)  

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Triumph - In The Beginning (1976 canada, hard rock, 2010 remaster)

Before they were on par with Rush as Canada's prog-rock heroes, Triumph were earnestly forging away to develop their sound. Triumph (later released as In the Beginning...) captures just that: the band's debut recording while they were still finding and developing the formulas that would make them so successful. The opening "24 Hours a Day" wouldn't sound out of place during the finest moments of Boston's catalog, but the majority of the tunes found herein are highly informed by the presence of Led Zeppelin. Gil Moore's take on the infamous Bonham stutter kick of the bass drum, the exact chord progression found on the climax of "Stairway to Heaven" is also the anchor to "Don't Take My Life", and the comparisons go on and on. But that's not to say In the Beginning... is a total loss -- far from it. It's the cornerstone from which their house of prog-rock greatness was built.

by Rob Theakston

Tracks

1. 24 Hours A Day (Rik Emmett) - 4:29

2. Be My Lover (Rik Emmett) - 3:19

3. Don't Take My Life (Gil Moore) - 5:02

4. Street Fighter (Gil Moore) - 3:28

5. Street Fighter Reprise (Gil Moore) - 3:02

6. What's Another Day Of  Rock 'N Roll (Gil Moore, James Brian Maloney, James Richard Huff, Mike Levine, Rik Emmett) - 4:51

7. Easy Life (Mike Levine) - 3:55

8. Let Me Get Next To You (Gil Moore) - 3:02

9. Blinding Light Show / Moonchild (Chris Brockway, Denton Young, Rik Emmett) - 8:44

Triumph

*Rik Emmett - Guitars, Synthesizers, Vocals

*Gil Moore - Drums, Vocals

*Michael Levine - Bass, Keyboards

With

*Laurie Delgrande - Keyboards

*James SK Wān - Bamboo Flute

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Doctor Downtrip - Doctor Downtrip (1973 belgium, splendid psych blues rock, 2008 remaster)

Formed in Brussels back in 1969, Doctor Downtrip were to debut with a single for the Vogue label. The outfit’s slightly “psychedelic” leanings (with regards to their use of saxophone on “gravitation” and flute on “music for your mind”), gained them quite some attention. Who exactly was in the band remains a mystery, although the Dutchman J. Van Wagensveld did compose both songs on this effort. In june 1970 they played the “Puzzle P-festival”(a famous Brussels club in the Rue De Bouchers) with many Belgian hardrock bands as well as headliner Wallace Collection. But the first highlight of their relatively brief career was their appearance at the Bilzen Rock & Jazz festival in august 1970 along such acts as Badfinger and Screaming Lord Sutch. Both festivals also had another Brussels band, Burning Plague on the bill. 

When by the end of 1970 Plague’s Michael Heslop (who was original from the USA) decided to put his band on hold, the announcement of his entry to Doctor Downtrip quickly followed. After a while this new line-up (John Hastry on bass, Michael Heslop on guitar, Paul Van De Velden on drums, Michel Rorive on vocals and Sylvain Paul on organ) was really rocking as proven on the “summer festival Den Haan “ and the fondly-remembered Jemelle festival on august 8th,1971 where they supported Golden Earring and Genesis.(In april 1972 they supported Genesis a second time when they played in Arlon). It took more than a year before the new five-piece had an impressive armoury of self-penned compositions at their disposal, and the first proof of it, came in 1972 when they released the single “take my place” backed with “depressed” on CBS records. Both songs showed the real potential of this hardrock band as their fine organ/guitar work was finally captured on vinyl. After healthy sales a second two-tracker was scheduled for release, but without haste, as it was already 1973 when “jumpin’ in the air / winter’s coming” saw the light of day. 

The “A” side was a radio-friendly rock song (along with sing-along and handclaps) but it was the backside who made impression with yet another heavy song with great solo’s. An appearance as support act for Mark Bolan’s T-REX (on march 24th ,1973) at the big vorst/forest national hall also made impression. Therefore it came as a surprise to hear the band was working on a full-lp with a new singer; Jean Paul Goossens (and Serge Paul on second guitar). This first lp (recorded with Jean Huysmans in five days!) was without any doubt a cracking way to make their mark on the Belgian scene, and capable numbers such as “free morning time”, ”lost city”, “wanted”(heavy!!!) and the uptempo “big blue train” all demonstrated an uncanny knack for creating great hardrock-music.1974 saw the release of another 7” with two reworked songs from that first album but after this, there was only silence from the Doctor’s camp. By the end of 1975 Doctor Downtrip had already undergone a few changes with Heslop & Paul leaving to be replaced by only a guitarplayer: Jose Cuisset who came from Lagger Blues Machine. But it wasn’t only the line-up who’s been changed, also the name was shortened to Downtrip. 

After that, the band managed to record their second lp and for the first time produced it themselves (all other recordings were produced by Jean Huysmans). “If You Don’t Rock Now” was released in 1976 on CBS/Epic. Excellent hard-rocking stuff throughout; highlights were “sweet lies” and the awesome “getting louder”. Although they were a regular attraction at nations rock clubs and festivals, from then on, they no longer seem to have been able to get invitations to play the bigger support slots. It took more than two years before another Downtrip album hit the shops, but “Downtown” was a fine third set. Especially the first side had storming numbers such as “scarecrow”, ”shout it out”, “dedicated to you” and the longer title song. Despite this album things started falling apart and by the end of the decade, the Downtrip members concluded that they were fighting a losing battle and had called it a day without making much of a fuss about it.

Doctor Downtrip

Tracks

1. Nothin’s The Same / Free Morning Time - 5:55

2. Walking In The Desert (Michael Heslop) - 4:15

3. Wanted - 3:35

4. Lost City (Paul Goosens, Michael Heslop, Serge Paul) - 6:40

5. Anything Goes - 3:18

6. Better Run Away - 2:45

7. Everything Around - 3:53

8. Big Blue Train (Michael Heslop, Serge Paul) - 3:19

9. Feeling Good Again (Michael Heslop) - 5:14

All songs by Jean Paul Goosens, Serge Paul except where noted

Doctor Downtrip

*John Hastry - Bass

*Jean Paul Goosens - Vocals

*Paul Van Der Velden - Drums

*Michael Heslop - Guitar, Vocals

*Serge Paul - Guitar

Related Act

1970  Burning Plague - Burning Plague  

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Pete Dello And Friends - Into Your Ears (1969-72 uk, gorgeous sunny folk psych, xtra tracks remaster)

Pete Dello was the original leader of the Honeybus, a short-lived but wonderful English baroque-pop group who only managed to release one album in 1970 (finally reissued in 2008-). For all the gems available on compilations like Honeybus At Their Best and She Flies Like A Bird: The Anthology, fans of their brand of summery, rootsy pop couldn’t be truly satisfied without an ear on Dello’s fine solo efforts.

Comparisons to the Beatles are somewhat unavoidable, from the next-level songwriting to the double-tracked voice, chamber orchestra production, but assertions of cheap imitation are unacceptable. Dello’s album is a pretty mix, most songs led with a clean acoustic guitar or piano, flavoring the sound with modest string and brass sections. This is where the record gets its baroque tag, but at times the music, like Honeybus, approaches a country-folk-rock sound. Tracks like I’m A Gambler illustrate that perfect mix of rural rock and sunshine pop, blessed with some especially tasteful percussion. The trick to the record’s charm may be the Nilsson inspired vocal treatments, either Dello’s unassuming lead or the lilting vocal turns and harmony parts.

I wouldn’t call it a perfect record, but it gets pretty close and grows to be very solid. Pete scored with his first Honeybus single, I Can’t Let Maggie Go, and gets a chance at a full showcase with Into Your Ears. Only a couple tracks push the British camp too much for my ears, so take note if you’re fond of skipping sillier tracks. If you’re looking for gems, you’ll be right on target.

by Brendan McGrath, June 10th, 2008

Tracks

1. It's What You've Got - 3:16

2. There's Nothing I Can Do For You - 2:36

3. I'm A Gambler - 3:15

4. Harry The Earwig - 2:22

5. Do I Still Figure In Your Life - 2:40

6. Uptight Basil (Pete Dello, Ray Cane) - 2:41

7. Taking The Heart Out Of Love - 2:54

8. On A Time Said Sylvie - 2:24

9. A Good Song - 2:54

10.It's The Way - 2:07

11.Go Away - 2:24

12.Arise Sir Henry - 2:39

13.Taking The Heart Out Of Love - 3:21

14.Uptight Basil (Pete Dello, Ray Cane) - 2:30

15.Hear Me Lonely - 4:08

16.Madame Chairman Of The Committee - 3:16

All songs by Pete Dello except where indicated

Personnel

*Pete Dello - Vocals, Guitar

*Ray Cane - Bass, Vocals

*Colin Hare - Guitar, Vocals

*Mike Green - Guitar

*Jim Kelly - Guitar

*Pete Kircher - Drums, Vocals

*Bobby Henrit - Drums

*Roger Rettig - Steel Guitar

*Tommy Moeller - Vocals

*Lem Lubin - Vocals

*Russ Ballard - Accordian

*Pat Halling - Strings, Orchestration

Related Acts

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

1971  Colin Hare - March Hare (2015 remaster)  

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Headstone - Still Looking (1974 us, excellent heavy fuzz psych with hard garage shades, 2009 bonus tracks remaster)

Headstone consisted of three Fiynn brothers and a friend Torn Applegate who recorded this, their sole album at the Rome Recording Studios in Columbus Ohio in 1974. Interestingly the Rome Studios, which still exist today, was run by jack Casey and provided studio facilities to primarily Christian bands at the time although there is no evidence that Headstone were a Xian band. Ohio was full of obscure hard rock bands in the 70s and many of their self-released albums have stood the test of time.

This album is of a consistent high quality throughout and has been described as psychedelic and there are certainly some psych tinges but what we are talking about here is good old-fashioned hard rock of the BOC, Steppenwolf or ZZ Top variety mixed with a couple of potentially commercial and catchy hard rock pop tracks like "Peace of Mind*" and "Springtime" with vocals that would compete for the AOR FM plays if it weren't for the roughness of the production.

But this is a good thing in the same way as say the Morgan album. OK Morgen is more psychedelic hue that's more to do with the time gap of 1969 to this album’s 1974 and the Headstone vocals are more Styx than the punky snarl of Morgan but both albums have the same raw energy and pounding drumming high up in the mix making it part of the music rather than simply a rhythm section.

This album is full of fuzz and extended guitar solos and most of the tracks are well constructed with lots of tempo changes and well played with super swirling Hammond, hard drumming, hard riffing and lots of guitar effects. Headstones sole album is presented here with 6 extra tracks consisting of both sides of their non-album 45s.

Tracks
1. Still Looking (David Flynn, Bruce Flynn, Barry Flynn, Tom Applegate) - 8:29
2. I Like It (David Flynn) - 7:47
3. Misery (David Flynn, Barry Flynn) - 4:09
4. Those Days - 5:45
5. Peace Of Mind (Barry Flynn) - 5:01
6. Springtime (Barry Flynn, Tom Applegate) - 4:08
7. I Love You - 5:03
8. Buying Time (Barry Flynn) - 2:34
9. Snake Dance (David Flynn, Bruce Flynn, Barry Flynn, Tom Applegate) - 2:20
10.What People Say (Bruce Flynn) - 3:14
11.Carry Me On - 3:20
12.Hey Boy - 3:15
13.Ragin' River - 4:42
All tracks by David Flynn, Bruce Flynn, Barry Flynn except where noted

Headstone
*David Flynn - Drums, Vocals
*Bruce Flynn - Guitars
*Barry Flynn - Bass, Vocals
*Tom Applegate - Keyboards

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Kathy Smith - 2 (1971 us, wonderful jazzy folk psych, 2010 remaster)

Again, using this column to shine a bit of light on an album that’s been pinched between the cracks. While there are dozens of reissues pressing down each month, it seems that for each complete knockout, there are just as many superfluous retreads of dollar bin fodder best left to their original incarnations. So Necessary Repress finds me wandering through those records that elude local capture or beg too much on the secondary market. An apt example as any would certainly be the sophomore LP from L.A. folk artist Kathy Smith. Though she’s been a collector’s gem for quite some time, I came to Smith (as I imagine many might have) through Andy Votel’s lovely compilation Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word. Her song “It’s Taking So Long” from 2 gets prime placement on the comp and acts as an easy hook into Smith’s songwriting and style. 

Like her equally scarce debut, Some Songs I’ve Saved, 2 was issued on Richie Havens’ pet label Stormy Forest, which aside from the ‘70s output of Havens himself, only issued the works of Smith, Havens associate Bob Brown, and Canadian folk singer Bruce Murdoch. It’s little wonder then that her albums suffered from a slight lack of promotion. The record breaks from her debut to push a slightly more eclectic mix of songs, though both have a bit of Havens’ stamp of mixed instrumentation and jazz touches – augmenting the album with flutes, slight funk nodes and psychedelic overtones. Her second album is Smith at her peak.

It would have seemed like she was poised for greater things with 2. She’d played to an audience of 600,000 at the Isle of Wight just the year prior and with the album’s expanded palliate it certainly had some potential. However, like other psych-folk gems from the likes of Linda Perhacs, Vashti Bunyan, and Susan Christie, it would prove to slip through the fingers of the buying public. Though unlike any of those it has yet to find a second life in reissue glory. It feels like a record with enough of a cult following to make the crossover. Plus, while its a great record no one needs to spend $100 + on a copy. Recommending this one for a repress, puttin’ the vibes out to the universe. 

by Andy French

Tracks

1. Lady Of Lavender (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:47

2. It's Taking So Long (C. Jackson Brown) - 4:57

3. Rock 'n' Roll Star (Pamela Polland) - 4:00

4. Willie (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:55

5. Fly Off With The Wind - 4:32

6. Seven Virgins (Jimmie Spheeris) - 3:49

7. For Emile - 3:43

8. Travel In A Circle - 5:57

9. Blessed Be The People - 4:57 

Lyrics and Music by Kathy Smith, except where noted

Personnel

*Kathy Smith - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

*Don Alias - Drums, Percussion

*Warren Bernhardt - Keyboards

*Jan Hammer - Keyboards

*Gerald Jemmott - Bass

*Leslie Jones - Guitar

*Bill Lavorgna - Drums, Percussion

*Tony Levin - Bass

*Donald McDonald - Drums, Percussion

*Don Sarlin - Guitar

*Jimmie Spheeris - Vocals

*Jeremy Steig - Flute

*Daniel Ben Zebulon - Congas 

1970  Kathy Smith - Some Songs I've Saved (2007 edition)  

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Kathy Smith - Some Songs I've Saved (1970 us, bautiful baroque folk psych rock, 2007 edition)

Kathy Smith began as a fixture around the Los Angeles hippie and folk scene of the 60’s and 70’s, playing regularly at venues such as Paradox, the Troubador, along with coffeehouses around town. Eventually, she captured the attention of Richie Havens, who would release her equally rare debut album Some Songs I’ve Saved, along with the followup 2 on his label, Stormy Forest. 

"Some Songs I've Saved", is one of the best-kept secrets in the history of singer-songwriting, this wonderful album is sure to appeal to fans of artists like Carole King, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. A glorious blend of melodic songs, deeply personal lyrics and imaginative arrangements (incorporating sitar, tabla and flute alongside guitars and piano), it's beautifully sung and features support from Pamela Polland (The Gentle Soul) and Jim Fielder (Blood, Sweat & Tears), as well as session favourites Jeremy Steig, Artie Traum and Eric Weissberg. Produced by long-time Richie Havens collaborator Mark Roth and engineered by Val Valentin (Frank Zappa, the Velvet Underground, Lee Hazlewood), it was originally released in 1970. 

by Jocelyn Romo

Tracks

1. Topanga - 3:34

2. What Nancy Knows (Dennis D'Asaro) - 4:37

3. A Vision Of Two Saints (Pamela Polland) - 3:56

4. End Of World - 6:34

5. Same Old Lady - 4:42

6. Blackbird And The Pearl (Jim Spheeris) - 4:38

7. Russel: Gemeni Ii - 3:27

8. If I Could Touch You (Pamela Polland) - 3:05

9. Circles Of Love - 3:36

Words and Music by Kathy Smith, except where stated

Musicians

*Kathy Smith - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

*Warren Bernhardt - Piano

*Monte Dunn - Guitar

*Jim Fielder - Bass

*Bill LaVorgna - Drums

*Chuck Rainey - Bass

*Jeremy Steig - Flute

*Stormy Forest Freaks - Choir, Chorus, Handclapping

*Artie Traum - Banjo, Guitar

*Collin Walcott - Tabla

*Eric Weissberg - Fiddle 

*Don Sarlin - Guitar

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The Flatlanders - More A Legend Than A Band (1972 us, stunning americana country rock, feat. Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock)

This became my favorite new record in under a full day. Normally, we are looking at albums that we’ve sat with, kinda know inside out, but this is an emergency. It’s been an evil secret that nobody told me about this one sooner.

Originally released in 1972, and only available on 8-track cassette until 1990, when it was finally put out on CD- just in time for the alt-country kids to scoop it up- this is a perfect country album. If you’ve ever detected a note of irony when the Byrds put their cowboy hearts on for Sweetheart, this is the record to set you straight. The real deal (and you know because it’s on Rounder).

It’s hard to describe what it is about the sweet spot this record hits, but here’s a shot: The Flatlanders match an electric sound with acoustic, bluegrass instrumentation (sans banjo). They play in an old-timey (lazy fiddle) way with a swing in their step, and add a nice psych touch with the musical saw (imagine a tasteful theremin adding hints of accompaniment on about half the record). Jimmie Dale’s singing is A+ number one and the harmony is also great. Oh and listen to that fine dobro work on Stars In My Life.

Or look at it this way: 13 great new songs to love, a beautiful forgotten classic for your shelves, and a serious contender for Sweetheart of the Rodeo’s coveted country-rock trophy spot. Yes, it’s the newest record in my collection, but I think I would grab for it first on my way to the island.

by Brendan McGrath, April 23rd, 2007

Tracks

1. Dallas (Jimmie Dale Gilmore) - 2:46

2. Tonight I'm Gonna Go Downtown (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, John Reed) - 2:41

3. You've Never Seen Me Cry (Butch Hancock) - 2:09

4. She Had Everything (Butch Hancock) - 2:07

5. Rose From The Mountain (Louis Driver) - 2:00

6. One Day At A Time (Willie Nelson) - 3:42

7. Jole Blon (Traditional) - 3:27

8. Down In My Hometown (Jimmie Dale Gilmore) - 2:42

9. Bhagavan Decreed (Ed Vizard) - 2:45

10.The Heart You Left Behind (Angela Strehll) - 2:18

11.Keeper Of The Mountain (Angela Strehll) - 2:44

12.Stars In My Life (Butch Hancock) - 3:00

13.One Road More (Butch Hancock) - 2:25

The Flatlanders

*Joe Ely - Harmony Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar, Dobro

*Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Lead Vocals, Guitar

*Butch Hancock - Harmony Vocals, Guitar

*Syl Rice - String Bass

*Tommy Hancock - Fiddle 

*Tony Pearson - Mandolin

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