Fotheringay - Fotheringay (1970)

Fotheringay is the First Album by the British Folk-Rock Band Fotheringay.

Sandy Denny left Fairport Convention in 1969, shortly after the release of the acclaimed Liege & Lief, with the intention of explore alone her own song-writing capacities. She was, however, used to work on a Group and thus she started recruiting Musicians to form her own Band, where she would be the leader. From Ecletion came Trevor Lucas (Denny's partner and later husband and father of her child) and Gerry Conway who were joined by two Folk Musicians Jerry Donahue and Pat Donaldson. The name Fotheringay comes from a composition by Denny, based on the story of Mary, Queen of Scots and the time she spent imprisoned in Fotheringay Castle. The Album features 5 Original Denny's Songs, Two Covers, One Lucas Composition and one Traditional. It achieved average notoriety, only getting to 18# in the UK Charts, although getting some very good reviews, this led to the disband of the group while they were recording the follow-up, not only because of that, but also because Denny was regarded as one of the Best Singers in the UK (chosen as the Best by MelodyMaker's Readers).

Best Tracks - "Nothing More", "The Sea", "The Ballad Of Ned Kelly", "The Way I Feel", "Too Much Of Nothing" and "Banks Of The Nile". A Fantastic Folk-Rock Album that maybe should have focused more on the Rock Side, even though the more Folkier Songs are extremely good and allows a good, clear listen to Denny's Voice, which is, as always absolutely marvelous. Maybe not as good as Unhalfbriking or Liege & Lief, but a landmark in Folk-Rock history.

Fotheringay:

- Sandy Denny - Guitar, Piano, Vocals.

- Trevor Lucas - Guitar, Vocals.

- Jerry Donahue - Guitar, Vocals.

- Pat Donaldson - Bass, Vocals.

- Gerry Conway - Drums.

- Linda Thompson - Vocals.

- Todd Lloyd - Vocals.

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Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left (1969)

Five Leaves Left is the Debut Album by the English Folk Singer/Guitarist Nick Drake.

Nick Drake bought his first Guitar in 1965, for a mere 13 Pounds. With it he started experimenting with it, as he already had decent knowledge of the Piano and the Saxophone. The next year he entered a Literature Course in Cambridge via a scholarship, he however didn't take it seriously and under the pretext of studying moved to France with some friends, supposedly participating in a student exchange program, where he spent some Months smoking Weed and taking LSD. He also made a trip to Morocco, when he was told that it was there that you could get the finest Joints. Upon his return, he distanced himself even further from studies, staying in his room all the time, playing and listening to music, always high on Marijuana. While playing a supporting gig for Country Joe & The Fish he was spotted by Ashley Hutchings, who got him a connection with Joe Boyd, getting him to manage and record him, ending definitively with his stint at college. Recordings for the Debut started in late 1968 with the help of some Fairport Convention and Pentangle Musicians.

Best Tracks - "Time Has Told Me", "Three Hours", "Day Is Done", "Cello Song" and "Saturday Sun". It does not achieve Pink Moon's Personal and unique Sound, and it has a very big problem to it, the String Arrangements. maybe some of you will find them interesting or even enjoyable, but for me it is the decisive factor that turns a Record that could achieve otherwise the status of a True Classic.

Nick Drake (Five Leaves Left):

- Nick Drake - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano.

- Paul Harris - Piano.

- Richard Thompson - Electric Guitar.

- Danny Thompson - Bass.

- Rocki Dzidzornu - Congas.

- Clare Lowther - Cello.

- Tristan Fry - Drums, Vibes.

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Heron - Heron (1970)

Heron is the Debut Album by the British Pastoral-Folk Band Heron.

Troubled by their experience of recording a Single in Pye Studios in the Summer of 1970, Heron decided to move to the country, uniting themselves to the forces of Nature. Packed with all their equipment they moved to the Farmhouse owned by Vocalist Tony Pook's Parents in Appleford, Berkshire and settled down in the middle of the Green British Fields, near the River Thames, with all the Recording equipment around them and set off to record their Debut. One of the Mics was however set quite far away from them, in the middle of the woods, recording those Natural sounds of the wind and birds, all the Blackbirds and Larks. No Electric Guitars, Basses or Drums were used, just plain, good old Acoustic instruments, with the exception of the Electric Piano. Released by the Dawn Label, they did not achieve much success, repeating what they had done before. Another example of the Folk Exodus, from the urbanized cosmopolitan capitals of the world to the small villages in the middle of the country, isolated from Mankind.

Best Tracks - "Yellow Roses", "Car Crash", "Harlequin 2", "Little Boy", "Goodbye", "For You" and "Carnival & Penitence". I found about them in the Book Electric Eden in which they even got the honor of appearing in the Front Cover, playing in the Green Field. It is great Hippie Folk, with an emphasis in Beauty. Very good Folk Album.

Heron:

- Tony Pook - Vocals.

- Gerald G. T. Moore - Vocals, Mandolin.

- Roy Apps - Guitar.

- Steve Jones - Electric Piano, Accordion.

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Meic Stevens - Outlander (1970)

Outlander is the Debut Album by the Welsh Folk-Rock Musician Meic Stevens.

Meic is often forgotten by everybody, with the exception of his Welsh compatriots who regard him as a National equal to Bob Dylan. First spotted by DJ Jimmy Savile in a Folk Club in Manchester, gaining him the possibility of recording a Single, which he did that same year, produced by John Paul Jones (who in 4 years would reach Fame as the Bassist of Led Zeppelin) for Decca Records. But the Sales weren't even Mediocre, it failed miserably, setting back his career for many year. Following a nervous breakdown in 1967 he returned to his country, where he started to write Songs in the Welsh Language with the propose of creating a Music Movement with a strong National Identity, he released some EP's on Local Small Labels. During this times he would also play in Britain from time to time, and it was in one of this trips that he recorded his Debut for the Warner Bros. Label. It was to be his only Album in English and like his other Albums from this age, is now very sought-after for its rarity. It was recorded very quickly some of the Songs were even played just one time.

Best Tracks - "Rowena", "Love Owed", "The Sailor And Madonna", "Yarric", "Midnight Comes", "Dau Rhosyn Coch" and "Ballad Of Old Joe Blind". It is a nice mesh of Psychedelia with Folk Rock, with some great use of the Indian Sonorities.

Meic Stevens (Outlander Personnel):

- Wally "Sospan" Jones - Banjo.

- George Sweetnam - Bass.

- Dennis Elliot - Drums.

- Bernie Holland - Electric Guitar.

- Chris Taylor - Flute.

- Meic Stevens - Guitar, Vocals.

- Michael Snow - Piano, Organ.

- Ian Samwell - Welsh Harp.

- Dewan Motihar - Sitar.

- Keshav Sathe - Tabla.

- John Vanderyck - Violin.

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Tim Hart & Maddy Prior - Folk Songs Of Olde England, Volume 1 (1968)

Folk Songs Of Olde England, Volume 1 is the Debut Album by the English Traditional Folk Duo Tim Hart & Maddy Prior.

As I told you in the Post about Tim Hart & Maddy Prior's Last Album, Summer Solstice, they began performing together in 1966, inspired by the growing Folk Movement, and by its earliest enthusiasts, leading them to a trip through rural England on the search for the Purest of the Folk Sounds. Their work was to be recorded and released in 1968, in two Volumes by the Tepee Records Label. And history was done, Fairport Convention got very influenced by it, especially Ashley Hutchings who would start going to the Cecil Sharp House Library researching Obscure Traditional British songs. Liege & Lief already shows this influence, when the Band went to the the countryside to record in the middle of Nature. For Hutchings however it was not enough, and when he got threw with them and was looking for Musicians to join him, in his mission to recover British Folk Songs (Sounds I have already heard this) he knew just whom he wanted to contact, and thus was Steeleye Span created.

Best Tracks - "Lish Young Buy-A-Broom", "Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy", "Maid That's Deep In Love", "The Rambling Sailor", "Bruton Town", "The Dalesman's Litany" and "A Wager A Wager". The main reason if think this Album is amazing is quite simple. It is one of the few Albums were I stand A-Cappela and Banjo Songs. Whenever I am listening to an Album and I hear a Banjo, it is the end for that Album, it will be put aside and never listened to again. However this Songs are fantastic, really beautiful and with a strong Traditional and Modern Sound, both at the same time. No wonder why it was so important to other Folk Musicians at the time.

Tim Hart & Maddy Prior:

- Maddy Prior - Vocals, 5-String Banjo.

- Tim Hart - Vocals, Guitar, Dulcimer, Banjo.

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The Chocolate Watchband - The Inner Mystique (1968)

The Inner Mystique is the Second Album by the American Psychedelic-Rock Band The Chocolate Watchband.

The story of The Chocolate Watchband is far from simple. In the 4 years that the Band lasted, the number of people that went through the Band is well above the 20's. The first incarnation was a short-lived High-School Band in 1965, that ended when some of the Members were drafted. One of the Members was not ready however to give up, Mark Loomis, he regrouped and was successful enough to be invited to be managed by Bill Leader from Fillmore East. This incarnation unfortunately wasn't able to survive much longer after recording the Debut, most of them going on to different Musical tangents, like Psychedelic-Folk in the case of Loomis. Once again the Band was saved by a Member who stayed behind a re-grouped to fulfill contractual obligations. With the Band falling to pieces, their Producer (Ed Cobb) just decided to record himself the Tracks with session Musicians, and let the Band record whatever they wanted, which was not that much. There isn't an absolute certainty as to who exactly participated.

Best Tracks - "Voyage Of The Trieste", "In The Past", "Inner Mystique", "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue". The Best Songs are probably the First ones, more trippy and Psychedelic, than the others which are interesting and very good, but not bringing anything new to the game. It is not as quite a great an Album as it is made to be, but it is nice and interesting, and not badly played. Some nice Sitar here.

The Chocolate Watchband (Incomplete):

- Sean Tolby - Lead-Guitar.

- Bill 'Flo' Flores - Bass.

- Tim Abbott - Rhythm-Guitar.

- Mark Whittaker - Drums.

- Chris Flinders - Vocals.

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The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)

The Notorious Byrd Brothers is the Fifth Album by the American Psychedelic-Rock Band The Byrds.

While being the exponent of the Psychedelic Age of The Byrds, with every effect and techniques being used on the Production, as well as a long list of different influential Genres, from Country, Folk, Jazz and of course, the main driving force, Psychedelia, things were not going so well in terms of relationship between the Bands. Robert McGuinn saw David Crosby as an usurper, and that combined with the failure of the only A-Side Single, led to his expulsion in the middle of the Recordings. Michael Clarke, left soon after, dissatisfied by the quality of the Songs. Gene Clark, who had been forced out of the Band a while ago, joined the Band again for three weeks, during the recording, just to be once again rejected due to his fear of flying. Apart from this constant Personnel changes, the number of Musicians features as Guests is also quite big, which strangely did not affect the coherence and quality of the sound, that does not reflect the massive amount of people that passed through the Studio.

Best Tracks - "Artificial Energy", "Goin' Back", "Natural Harmony", "Draft Morning", "Wasn't Born To Follow", "Get To You" and "Tribal Gathering". Some of the Songs here are just amazing, and for me this one and Younger Than Yesterday are, without a shadow of a doubt, the Best work by The Byrds, even though I prefer the fine textures of Younger... Even there are some weak spots, it is an incredibly cohesive Album, with some of the Best Songs on the 60's. I will not post the entire Personnel, due to the its length, if you are interested click here.

The Byrds:

- Roger McGuinn – Guitar, Moog Synthesizer, Vocals.

- David Crosby – Guitar, Bass, Vocals.

- Chris Hillman – Bass, Vocals, Mandolin.

- Michael Clarke – Drums.

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - Vol. 3: A Child's Guide To Good And Evil (1968)

Vol. 3: A Child's Guide To Good And Evil is the Third Album by the American Psychedelic-Rock Band The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band.

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band was set up as the West-Coast response to the mainstream Pop-Art Movement in New York, lead by Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground. Led by the Playboy Bob Markley, a good friend of Kim Fowley, who got him together with a the rest of the Band who were Members of the same Band. Markley had enough cash to ensure that the Band was supplied with the best Instruments, Recording Machinery and Lights for the shows. In a self-made Studio they recorded their First Album (not considered to be a real Album), with only 100 copies pressed (an original copy was sold for 15,000 dollars just some years ago). The Light Show got them a deal with Reprise Records. They went on the Record Four Albums for them, the latter being almost a Solo Album. Vol. 3 is considered as one of the finest examples of Psychedelia and the Prime of the Band. It was also however clear that the Band was falling apart, which had been happening since they were recording the Second Album.

Best Tracks - "Eighteen Is Over The Hill", "Ritual #1", "As The World Rises And Falls", "Until The Poorest Of People Have Money To Spend", "A Child's Guide To Good And Evil", "Ritual #2" and "As Kind As Summer". The last song called "Anniversary Of World War III" is two Minutes of pure silence. The Album is quite good, maybe not all the songs are that great, but it is a very important landmark of the Psychedelic Movement.

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band:

- Bob Markley- Vocals.

- Shaun Harris- Vocals, Bass.

- Ron Morgan - Guitar.

- Jim Gordon- Drums.

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Traffic - Mr. Fantasy (1967)

Mr. Fantasy is the Debut Album by the English Psychedelic-Rock Band Traffic.

After Steve Winwood was threw with the Spencer Davis Group, in which he had come to Musical prominence, as a 15 year old getting numerous Hit's, he got together with 3 other Musicians with whom he had jammed some time ago, thus forming Traffic (The name came up when the group was trying to cross a street). Some of the Musicians at the time, influenced by the Folk Revival, where moving to the country side, getting away as much as they could from civilization. In the Rural Landscapes they created some great pieces of Music, like Liege & Lief by Fairport Convention. Traffic moved to Aston Tirrold, Berkshire. A small village where they set up a stage and projected a complicated water-color show, to help with their Jams. Living in this cottage improved their relationship with one another and proved to be fundamental for the existence of the Band. The Album, entirely written there, features heavy use of Sitars, Flute and Horns, something that would almost disappear in the next Albums, more oriented towards a Rock Sonority.

Best Tracks - "Heaven Is in Your Mind", "House For Everyone", "No Face, No Name, No Number", "Dear Mr. Fantasy", "Utterly Simple" and "Giving To You". The Album has a quite particular atmosphere, very trippy and Psychedelic, never getting to the heavier sounds that were being done in America. The Songs are all very interesting and not boring at all, as some Psychedelics can be.

Traffic:

- Jim Capaldi - Drums, Percussion, Vocals.

- Dave Mason - Guitar, Mellotron, Sitar, Tambura, Shakkai, Bass, Vocals.

- Steve Winwood - Organ, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Harpsichord, Percussion, Vocals.

- Chris Wood - Flute, Saxophone, Organ, Percussion, Vocals.

- Jimmy Miller - Maracas.

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Joni Mitchell - Ladies Of The Canyon (1970)

Ladies Of The Canyon is the Third Album by the Canadian Singer Joni Mitchell.

After a very extensive tour and two Albums, Joni Mitchell came to mainstream fame with the release of this Album, Ladies Of The Canyon. It was this time that Mitchell moved forward from her Traditional Folk Sonority to a more advanced and particular Sound, with which she was later to became famous for, with Piano and more worked with Overdubs and Back-Vocals. Mitchell was at the time in a relationship with Graham Nash, and David Crosby was the one who had discovered her and managed to get her a record deal, thus the connection between Crosby, Stills & Nash and her was very big, to this day actually. One of the Songs was called "Woodstock", a Song which was obviously about the Festival and that Mitchell wrote after listening to the description made by Nash. She missed it because her manager thought it was better to go to a TV Show than to entertain a bunch of sweaty, stoned, long-haired Hippies. Ladies Of The Canyon went on to be her first Album to achieve Gold, and the start of the attention she would receive for the rest of her career.

Best Tracks - "Big Yellow Taxi", "Blue Boy", "Ladies Of The Canyon", "Morning Morgantown", "The Circle Game", "The Priest" and "Woodstock". It is not equal to Blue but it is a fine Album, with the intricate Vocals of Joni and some of her best known Songs. Worth listening to!

Joni Mitchell (Ladies Of The Canyon Personnel):

- Joni Mitchell - Guitar, Piano, Vocals.

- Teresa Adams - Cello.

- Paul Horn - Clarinet, Flute.

- Jim Horn - Baritone Saxophone.

- Milt Holland - Percussion.

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John Renbourn - Another Monday (1967)

Another Monday is the Second Solo Album by the English Folk Guitarist John Renbourn.

The friendship between Bert Jansch and John Renbourn would evolve a step further when Renbourn started participating in Jansch's Albums with much more prominence then in the others (He already had participated in Jansch Second Album and in the great Jack Orion). With the release of Bert And John, they were connected for the better and the worse. Another Monday also had another Folk character that would be of major importance for Folk Music. Jacqui McShee, a friend of Renbourn with whom she sung in the Club Les Cousins, as asked to participate on Renbourn's Record, making this a sort of prehistorical Pentangle Album, with only three of the Members, yes, but this union was of major importance for the creation of the Band. After getting some attention and being seen as one of the leading figures of the new Folk Movement, Renbourn was expecting to get at least a decent Studio for his Follow-up. He got instead Bill Leader's Kitchen. It is completely true, he recorded this Album in Bill Leader's Kitchen. Renbourn was now playing a different Guitar, similar to the one used by Davy Graham.

Best Tracks - "Another Monday", "Ladye Nothinge's Toye Puffe", "I Know My Babe", "One For William", "Sugar Babe", "Can't Keep From Crying" and "Nobodys Fault But Mine". It is not a long Album and it is was still a warm-up compared to Sir John A Lot... but it already shows the Folky direction Renbourn was heading for. Quite some good songs on this one even though it is quite a small Album.

John Renbourn (Another Monday Personnel):

- John Renbourn - Guitar, Vocals.

- Jacqui McShee - Vocals.

- Jennifer De Montforte-Jones - Cello.

- Bert Jansch - Guitar.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory (1970)

Cosmo's Factory is the Fifth Album by the American Country-Rock Band Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The amount of Releases by CCR were astonishing. Just two years after their Debut they were already on their Fifth release, and in the end of the year they launched their Sixth. One would expect that some of the Albums would be quite weak and uninteresting, but that does not face the reality, all of them were and are praised as being top-notch pieces of Music. As soon as the Band released Willy And The Poor Boys they started working on a new one. It was named Cosmo's Factory, the room where they rehearsed each day, when they were just ambitious Musicians full of hopes and dreams. The Room was always full of smoke due to the cigarettes, leading Drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford to start calling it, The Factory. Upon its release it achieved the number one slot in 6 different countries and in less than a year was certified Gold for having sold more than 500,000 copies. The Reviews are unanimous. This one is a Classic.

Best Tracks - "Ramble Tamble", "Lookin' Out My Back Door", "Run Through The Jungle", "Up Around The Bend", "My Baby Left Me", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Long As I Can See The Light". In the beginning the Songs may say uninspired and quite similar to the other Songs they already had released, thus being monotonous and not worthy to spend time and listen to the same Music once again. But it gets better. A lot better. The last Songs are filled with emotion and rhythm. Even the beginning songs don't seem so bad once you are done with listening to the Album.

Creedence Clearwater Revival:

- Doug Clifford – Drums.

- Stu Cook – Bass.

- John Fogerty – Lead-Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Harmonica, Vocals.

- Tom Fogerty – Rhythm-Guitar.

Christy Moore - Prosperous (1972)

Prosperous is the Second Solo Album by the Irish Folk Musician Christy Moore.

Moore first tried to enter the Folk Scene in Dublin, which he was quite enloved with. However he was never capable of getting booked in any Club, supposedly because he wans't "cool" enough. In light of this downput he decided it was time to move on and went to live in England, in 1966. Upon his arrival, he found a job with the working class, on factories, oilrings and buildings. This connection with the working class led him to start entering the Englsh Folk Circuit and in no time he was in, and the next year saw him playing live in a Club. By 1969 he had grown desperate for a Recording Contract and the fact that he was rejected by Transatlantic, the most desirable Folk Label at the time, forced him to record his Debut in a small Studio in Chealsea. The Album did not make it, and he was once again thrilling to get back to Ireland. He picked up Bill Leader, the Producer, and they made a trip there, to record some of the Artists playing there. It was also in Ireland in 1970, that Prosperous was recorded, in a session with Andy Irvine and Liam O'Flynn. This session also led them to start the magnificent Band Planxty.

Best Tracks - "The Raggle Taggle Gipsies"/"Tabhair Dom Do Lámh", "The Dark Eyed Sailor", "I Wish I Was in England", "James Connolly", "Spancill Hill" and "Rambling Robin". Prosperous is almost a more tender and unprepared Planxty Album, with some of the songs featuring on their Debut, a lot more worked over than the ones in here. A good ole Irish Folk Album for you to enjoy.

Christy Moore (Prosperous Personnel):

- Chrisry Moore - Guitars, Vocals.
- Donal Lunny - Guitars, Bouzouki, Bottleneck Bouzouki.
- Liam Óg O'Flynn - Uillean Pipes, Whistle.
- Andy Irvine - Mandolin, Mouth Organ.
- Clive Collins - Fiddle.
- Dave Bland - Concertina.
- Kevin Conneff - Bodhran.

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John Renbourn - John Renbourn (1965)

John Renbourn is the Debut Solo Album by the English Folk Guitarist John Renbourn.

Renbourn started his Guitar career in the early, early 60's, about 1961, when after finishing his studies and his Guitar classes he went Hitch-Hiking, meeting the likes of Wizz Jones or Mick Softly and getting extremely influenced by the Guitar skills of Davy Graham. It was around 1961 that Renbourn got his first Steel-String Guitar, a rarity back in the day, which few had, and that were not made as they are today. This Guitar features on the cover of this Album, where Renbourn poses with it in a photo he has described as "folk-singer-on-the-rubbish-dump pose". It might be hard to understand this, but around this time, the Guitar players were regarded as scum, and many were refused entrance on Clubs. Renbourn found one place where they were being accepted, in Soho, and when he went to play there he met a Female Singer from America who invited him to record two Albums, losing his Unpublished Virginity and got his to know the likes of Richard Thompson and Terry Cox. In 63/64 he met Bert Jansch with whom he would collaborate numerous times until Jansch death last year (2011). Renbourn was then signed to the Transatlantic Label and recorded his Debut in a small Studio near to the Les Cousins Club, where many Guitarist met.

Best Tracks - "Judy", "Beth's Blues", "Song", "Down On The barge", "Plainsong", "The Wildest Pig In Captivity", "Winter Is Gone" and "Noah And Rabbit". Far different from Sir John A Lot... and much closer to Faro Annie, Renbourn's Debut already features the Fantastic Guitar playing he is known for and the help of his fellow Guitarist Jansch, performing 15 Songs very close to British Folk Blues. It is a quite good Album and very rare, even on the Internets.

John Renbourn (John Renbourn Personnel):

- John Renbourn - Guitar, Vocals.

- Bert Jansch - Guitar.

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John McLaughlin - Devotion (1970)

Devotion is the Fourth Solo Album by the English Jazz-Fusion Guitarist John McLaughlin.

Devotion shows McLaughlin in a transition point. Just after leaving the Miles Davis Band, with whom he recorded the landmark Bitches Brew and just before forming The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Devotion came out after McLaughlin played with the one and only Jimi Hendrix, and recorded a Jam that lasted through the whole night, inspiring him to go on Studio and Record it. What makes this one different from every other Album in his Career? Because the Guitar is not just making the exceptional "normal" Solos by McLaughlin, but crying and walling full of effects creating a never before heard Acid Sound, better than a lot of Psychedelic Bands I have heard trying to create it. Alan Douglas, a Record Producer with his own Label and that worked with the likes of Hendrix and Miles Davis, was chosen to Produce it and release it on his own Douglas Records. McLaughlin has complained about his work numerous times, stating that he mixed tracks that were not supposed to be bidden together, against his wishes. Recorded in February and released in September of 1970, just a year before he became Mahavishnu.

Best Tracks - "Devotion", "Dragon Song", "Siren" and "Purpose Of When". The Guitar is without a doubt the landmark of this Album. The Sound is distorted and trippy, with far less resemblances to the typical Jazz sonority and much more to do with Acid-Rock. It is still not as good as the Albums we was going to do with The Mahavishnu Orchestra, but it was getting there.

John McLaughlin (Devotion Personnel):

- John McLaughlin - Guitar.

- Buddy Miles - Drums, Percussion.

- Larry Young - Organ, Electric Piano.

- Billy Rich - Bass.

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Sweetwater - Sweetwater (1968)

Sweetwater is the Debut Album by the American Progressive-Psychedelic Rock Band Sweetwater.

Sweetwater was formed in the midst of the Psychedelic Movement, when San Francisco still was the home of the Hippies and Acid-Heads. The Band had a huge number of Members, contrasting with the usual 4-Piece Band and also counted with the help of a symphonic Orchestra and numerous guests and also with the usual instruments used in Rock Music, bringing in the Flutes and Cellos. Their strong point was Singer Nansi Nevins and it was due to their voice that they were quickly made into a contract with the Warner Reprise Label. They however seem to have been always in the wrong place in the wrong hour, they played in the all the big Venues and Festivals and opened for all the big Bands of the age, but no one seemed to ever notice them and that reflected their Albums Sales, even though it was enough to land them a Place in Woodstock, for which they were booked as the Opening Band (Due to the traffic problems Richie Havens was the one to open the Festival) and they were still the first "Band" to play there.

Best Tracks - "Motherless Child", "Here We Go Again", "For Pete's Sake", "What's Wrong", "In A Rainbow", "Rondeau" and "Two Worlds". There are three Major forces on this Album. Nansi's Voice of course and the Piano and Flute. The tracks are very good and an easy listen, not difficult to just sit down and relax to this Songs. All of them are full of energy and groove. This is a great Album, not a shadow of a doubt. One of the best Psychedelic's i have heard in a while.

Sweetwater:

- Albert Moore - Flute.
- Alan Malarowitz - Drums.
- August Burns - Cello.
- Elpidio Cobian - Conga.
- Nancy Nevins - Lead-Vocals.
- Alex Del Zoppo - Keyboards.
- Fred Herrera - Bass.
- Joe Bruley - Guitar.
- Mike Williams - Drums.
- Henry Arias - Percussion.

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Miles Davis - Miles In The Sky (1968)

Miles In The Sky is the Thirty-First Album by the American Jazz Musician Miles Davis.

Miles In The Sky marks the end of the Second Great Quintet, with the Band starting to disintegrate, Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter were replaced, shortly after and the rest was soon to follow their lead, being replaced by the likes of Chick Corea and John McLaughlin, similar to the evolution from Bop and Jazz to Fusion and Psychedelia, which can already be noted on this Album. It was also during this period that they created a new of playing live, which consisted on basically a mesh of all the Songs with transitions made between them to create a single coherent long piece, with the songs only being distinguished by the different Chords and Tempos being used, that would change with each new Song. Other big landmark in Davis career is the fact that this was the first one where an Electric Piano, Guitar and Bass were used, yet another indicator of the changes to come. As a lot of other Albums by Davis, with was recorded in a very short span of Time, in this case, 4 days were enough for it to be ready for release, which it was, right after the end of the recording.

Best Tracks - "Stuff", "Paraphernalia" and "Black Comedy". As a fan of Psychedelia I would obviously choose Bitches Brew rather than this one, but this is in no way inferior to that one. Very Jazzy yes and with some very good Horns and Drums work, i listened to this one while reading William S. Burroughs, Jr book, "Speed", and it meshed quite well.

Miles Davis (Miles In The Sky Personnel):

- Miles Davis - Trumpet.

- Wayne Shorter - Tenor Saxophone.

- Herbie Hancock - Piano, Electric Piano.

- George Benson - Electric Guitar.

- Ron Carter - Bass, Electric Bass.

- Tony Williams - Drums.

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José Mário Branco - Mudam-se Os Tempos, Mudam-se As Vontades (1971)

Mudam-se Os Tempos, Mudam-se As Vontades is the Debut Album by the Portuguese Folk/Protest Musician José Mário Branco.

Portugal was now definitively living under a full-fledged Fascist Dictatorship, with deep roots on the Portuguese society. In 1940, the Communist Party was re-organized (after the previous leadership was arrested and sent to be killed in a Concentration Camp) by a new generation of Communist Revolutionaries (do a research on Álvaro Cunhal) and a long battle ensued, with a lot of people being arrested, tortured and exiled. In some cases even killed. It was during this hard times that José Mário was born, in 1942 in the city of Porto. Since an early age he was exposed to Music, by his fathers who were Music Teachers. A man of ideas he embraces the Communist ideology on his youth and joins the clandestine PCP (Portuguese Communist Party) from which he ends up being expelled in the early 60's for his enflamed opinions (He was close to the Far-Left) and in 1963 ends up being exiled to Paris, where he met numerous other Portuguese Musicians also exiled for their connection to the Communist Ideology. It was there in Paris that he recorded his Debut Album in 1971.

Best Tracks - "Abertura (Gare D'Austerlitz)", "Cantiga Para Pedir Dois Tostões", "Cantiga Do Fogo E Da Guerra", "O Charlatão", "Queixa Das Almas Jovens Censuradas", "Nevoeiro", "Perfilados De Medo" and "Mudam-Se Os Tempos, Mudam-Se As Vontades". José Mário is probably one of the Best Portuguese Composers and Musicians in Portugal. The Songs are extremely well arranged, extremely beautiful and with very beautiful lyrics. The Vocals are very deep and relaxing, full of emotion. The Last Song particularly, a re-working of a Poem by Camões, is a very well known song in Portugal, after 40 years, it is still a presence on the National Radio.

José Mário Branco (Mudam-se Os Tempos, Mudam-se As Vontades Personnel):

- Gilbert Roussel - Accordion, Harmonica, Piano, Harpsichord.

- Claude Engel - Electric Guitar.
- Alan Jones - Electric Bass.
- José Mário Branco - Tambourine, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Harpsichord.

- Jacqueline Ritchie - Flute.

- Sérgio Godinho - Guitar, Back-Vocals.

- Daniel Lalloux - Drums, Percussion, Timbales, Cymbal.

- Catarina - Vocals.

- Jorge Pereira - Organ.

- Jean Sommer - Guitar.

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La Revolución De Emilano Zapata - La Revolución De Emilano Zapata (1971)

La Revolución De Emiliano Zapata is the Debut Album by the Mexican Psychedelic-Rock Band La Revolución De Emiliano Zapata.

La Revolución De Emiliano Zapata started simply as a group of friends from Guadalajara , who wanted to play Covers of Songs they liked, as they wished, turning them to their own style and interests, of course heavily influenced by the Hippie Movement, which was at its full force in the country just above them (U.S.A. of course). As any other Band, they started their career by playing a load of Birthday Parties and other things of that type. They seem to have managed to spark some light in the hearts of the people has they quickly became one of the Top Acts in the city and the areas that surrounded it. During a Radio Contest by Radio Ondas De La Alegria (Waves Of Happiness Radio), they received the biggest number of phone-calls and thus receiving the prized audition with a Major Company (Polydor Records). Their First Album was a huge success, not only in Mexico but all over the world, getting some singles to the Top of the Charts.

Best Tracks - "Nasty Sex", "Si Tu Lo Quieres", "Ciudad Perdida", "Todavia Nada", "Al Pie De La Montaña" and "Bajo Los Cielos". I haven't been Posting many Psychedelic Albums lately, focusing mostly on Progressive and Folk, and as I have been waning to post this Album, for over a year now, I just decided to do it now and be over with it. Even though the Titles are mostly in Spanish, the Lyrics are all sung in English. It doesn't sound like the Band is from Mexico has its sound is very close to the one being made by Garage Bands in San Francisco. Pretty Good. Fantastic Guitar Solos.

La Revolución De Emiliano Zapata:

- Javier Martín Del Campo - Guitar, Flute, Piano.
- Oscar Rojas Gutiérrez - Vocals.
- Antonio Cruz Carbajal - Drums.
- Francisco Martínez Ornelas - Bass.
- Carlos Valle Ramos - Guitar.

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Canned Heat - Boogie With Canned Heat (1968)

Boogie With Canned Heat is the Second Album by the American Blues-Rock Band Canned Heat.

From the previous Album, probably one of the main differences and the best evolution between them is the fact that apart from the usual Blues Covers that feature in every Blues Album, there are also some fantastic Original Compositions. Boogie With Canned Heat, features the Song that made it for them, "On The Road Again", a re-working of Floyd Jones, and which earned them the number 1 slot in most charts (especially in Europe). With the success that came with the Album, the Managers decided to lease a Club on Sunset Boulevard, in which they often played, almost as if they were the house Band. Other acts that played in the Kaleidoscope Club, such as Jefferson Airplane, Sly & The Family Stone and the Grateful Dead. But this time playing there was destined to end. Right after playing for an audience of over 80,000 people in the Newport Pop Festival they embarked on a tour to Europe, where they were hailed as heroes and featured on some TV Shows, like Top Of The Pops in England and Beat Club in Germany. 9 Months after the release of this Album, Living In The Blues was released, on October, 1968.

Best Tracks - "Evil Woman", "On the Road Again", "Whiskey Headed Woman No. 2", "Amphetamine Annie", "Marie Laveau" and "Fried Hockey Boogie". This is definitively better than their Debut, but it lacks the improvisational texture of the follow-up. Both the Vocals, by Blind Howl and the Bear are fantastic as always and the Guitar work cannot be attacked. Some of the songs are the problem for me. They are just to Bluesy, they sound like every other Blues song but played with good musicians. Is it that obvious that i dislike Blues-Purists?

Canned Heat:

- Bob Hite - Vocals.

- Alan Wilson – Slide-Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica.

- Harry Vestine– Lead-Guitar.

- Larry Taylor – Bass.

- Fito De La Parra – Drums.

- Dr. John Creaux - Horns, Piano.

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Caetano E Chico - Juntos E Ao Vivo (1972)

Juntos E Ao Vivo is a Live Album by the Brazilian Traditional/Tropicália Musicians Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque.

After some years living in Exile for their opposition to the Fascist Regime in Brazil, Chico Buarque (In exile in Italy) and Caetano Veloso (In exile in England) returned once again to their home-country in early 1972. By the end of the year, the duo got together to perform two shows that would be released still in 1972. Caetano also released a Live Album with Gilberto Gil that year. The shows were held in the 10th and 11th of November in the city of Salvador, one of the most important in the Country, in the Castro Alves Theatre. The Album features some of the Best-Known songs by both Musicians. Chico and Caetano were still being victims of the repression though even though they were allowed to live in Brazil again. Chico adopted the pseudonym Julinho da Adelaide which he used to publish songs and books without having to suffer censorship, as his true name was already burned for his Leftist Ideals. Julinho de Andrade even had an Identity Card.

Best Tracks - "Bom Conselho", "Partido Alto", "Tropicália", "Morena Dos Olhos d'Água", "Você Não Entende Nada/Cotidiano", "Ana De Amsterdam" and "Os Argonautas". This is a true Classic! Everything about it is just perfect! The Songs are just fantastic and with extremely good Musicians. If you have an interest in Brazilian Music, even the slightest interest you will find here a fantastic work by two fantastic Musicians.

Caetano E Chico (Juntos E Ao Vivo Personnel):

- Caetano Veloso - Vocals, Guitar.

- Chico Buarque - Vocals, Guitar.

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Davy Graham - The Holly Kaleidoscope (1970)

The Holly Kaleidoscope is the Sixth Album by the British Guitarist Davy Graham.

Being taught Musical Instruments since childhood and by the age of 12 when he started playing the Guitar he already was versatile in the Piano and Harmonica. Since the beginning he was influenced by the playing of Steve Benbow, who was by his turn, influenced by the Moroccan way of playing. This gave Graham an exotic flavor to his Guitar playing. In the early 60's he invented a Song called "Anji" which was probably one of the most influential Folk Songs ever, also one of the First Folk Instrumentals ever made. This was a revelation for such Guitarists as Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Jimmy Page, Paul Simon and Ralph McTell, who saw there a complete new way of playing, more in touch with the new sounds. However he was not known for really wanting any fame, causing him to be seen as quite an unreliable character. One of the most famous stories was the Time that he was booked a 6-month Tour on Australia, which came to an end when Graham's Plane stopped in Bombay for a quick pause, and Grahams spent the months we was supposed to be in Australia, traveling through India. Back to the Album, Graham was joined by his then-Wife Holly.

Best Tracks - "Flowers Never Bend With The Rain Fall", "Wilt Thou Unkind", "Blues At Gino's", "Sunny Moon For Two", "Here, There And Everywhere", "Ramblin' Sailor", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day". I am not that attracted to Holly's Vocals. They are nice indeed and are surely better than those of Davy Graham who was no Singer at all, but she sounds very rigid and contained. Graham's Guitar is however magnificent and compensates the poor level of the Vocals. A pretty good Album and any lover of Jansch or Renbourn should give it a go. To be true, the Best Tracks are the Instrumental ones.

Davy Graham (Holly Kaleidoscope Personnel):

- Davey Graham - Guitar, Vocals.
- Holly Gwyn - Vocals.

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Fuxan Os Ventos - Sementeira (1978)

Sementeira is the Forth Album by the Spanish Galician Traditional Folk Band Fuxan Os Ventos.

In 1972, some high-school students decided to form a Folk Band with the sole purpose of having the most of they could take out of it. When they won a popular contest with the Song "Fuxan Os Ventos" they just decided to go along and use it as their name from then on. More contests were won and they started growing notoriety from both the Critics and the Public, however as the times went by they started getting more and more involved with Galician Folk Music and with the Political Ideas of the Left (Spain was undergoing a transition between Fascism and Democracy). They were deeply involved with the culture of their People (Spain was since the beginning a merge of very different States with very different cultures, and there is still a lot of friction between some of those States) and it was mainly about them that they Sang about, along with exaltations of the virtues of their people and the working class. They were signed to Philips-Fonogram, with the guarantee that they had absolute Artistical Freedom and were not forced to use any Electrical Instrument, as was their wish. Just some more informations about Galicia, it is right above Portugal and the language is very similar to the Portuguese language (I've known some guys who belonged to a movement which supported the union between Galicia and Portugal, they were the ones who presented me with this treat).

Best Tracks - "Sementeira", "Cantiga De Amigo", "Foliada De Olas", "Cantar De Cego II", "A Carolina", "Muller", "Pandeiretada", "Melra, Melriña", "Alalás", "Muiñada" and "Cara A Libertade". I was some years ago a member of a Left-Wing Choir which sang Protest songs from all over the world, and one of the songs which was shown to us by a Galician Student was "Muller" (Woman) a song about the emigration men were forced to do, due to the famine, and the women who had to stand it all. The Album is very interesting Folk, a lot different from the Folk made in the UK and the US and should be interesting to listen to the Sounds of the Iberian Peninsula.

Fuxan Os Ventos:

I Could not find the Personnel for the Album, as it was always changing and there was never a definitive Line-Up.

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Jan Dukes De Grey - Mice And Rats In The Loft (1971)

Mice And Rats In The Loft is the Second and Last Album by the British Acid-Rock/Progressive Band Jan Dukes De Grey.

Once a Member of an 11 Piece Band, Derek Noy starting making is own writings and compositions and when he came to the conclusion that he was quite better than the Songs that were being worked over in Buster Summers Express (the Band where he played) he quit. Noy was approached by a Flautist called Michael Bairstow, who was interested in joining Buster Summers, but instead ending up forming Jan Dukes de Grey, in 1968, in Leeds (the name was intended to be exotic, nothing else). After a year of gigging and rehearsing they were ready to release their Debut on Decca Label, which was regarded as a good work but still very naive. After the release, they were joined by Drummer Denis Conlan, also from Buster Summers, and the Trio went on to open for Pink Floyd and The Who. For the Follow-up they had to move to a different Label Transatlantic Records. Mice And Rats In The Loft features only 3 long tracks and is a very much Bolder attempt than the previous, more free and loose. The Band continued to do Gigs but never again recorded and eventually changed their name to Noy's Band in 1974.

Best Tracks - "Sun Symphonica", "Call Of The Wild" and "Mice And Rats In The Loft" (all the songs on the Album). I enjoy immensely the Drums and the energy of this one, even though i quite dislike the Vocals. There are moments that quite remind me of Comus, First Utterance (especially the song "Drip, Drip"). The Horns are also excellent replacing the Guitar in the long and prolonged Jams. The Musicians are excellent and if you are into Strong and Psychedelic Jams as much as I, you will find here a great companion.

Jan Dukes De Grey:

- Michael Bairstow - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Percussion, Keyboards

- Derek Noy - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion.

- Denis Conlan - Drums.

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Folkal Point - Folkal Point (1972)

Folkal Point is the First and Only Album by the British Traditional Folk Band Folkal Point.

The information about this Band from Bristol is as scarce as scarce can be. It is however considered to be one of the Best Folk Album to come out of the U.K. and probably is one the most sought-after Folk Albums in the world. There are very few copies left on this Planet, as only 500 were pressed by Midas Records (their Label) and of those, 250 were destroyed by a flood, which strangely seems to be an accident that tends to happen quite a lot (I've heard of numerous Albums whose copies were destroyed by Floods). Until this day only two Original copies have surfaced on Ebay. But hope is the last thing to die! Folkal Point has been re-issued by Big Pink on CD, which is great news (I won't buy it cost it costs 50 Pounds, but good new nonetheless). Folkal Point is a beautifully well crafted Album, with the marvelous tender and soothing Vocals by Cherie Musialik accompanied by excellent Folk Musicians who render a web of sounds for it to flow softly down to our ears, with the some very good Covers. One of the Best things I have ever heard. Extremely Recommended.

Best Tracks - "Twelve Gates Into The City", "Scarborough Fair", "Sweet Sir Galahad", "Edom O'gordon", "You Ain't Going Nowhere", "Anathea" and "Once I Knew A Pretty Girl". I quite much said everything i wanted above. I saved this Album for the Blog's anniversary, as an especial treat to you all. Enjoy.

Folkal Point:

- Cherie Musialik - Lead-Vocals.

- Stuart Amesbury - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar.

- Brian Murray - Vocals, Bass.

- Martin Steed - Lead Guitar.

- Paul Cook - Rhythm Guitar.

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2 years of TheRedHippie!

Today (3/01/12) marks the Second anniversary of TheRedHippie.

Since the first Post I must have shared with you all about 270 Albums. There were times of strong activity and times where I almost forgot it existed. Lately however there are new posts almost everyday, as my interest grows even Furthur (some of you will get the reference). I do not only listen to the 60's/70's and have also a strong love for Grunge (the big ones, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, but also the less known figures of the 90's like Blind Melon ((which I strongly recommend to Psychedelic fans)), Mudhoney, Melvins and Stone Temple Pilots), just to let everyone know haha.

But after all this rambling, what i wanted to ask you is to enjoy as much as you can the Albums. You can get them here, for free and without having to be forced to comment or get passwords. This is the goal I aimed for. I want people to enjoy the Best they can, and that they do not have go through boring processes to do so. You just have to use the Link i give, nothing else (of course i would enjoy if some of the 500 people who come here daily would leave a nice comment, but far from me to force you to do so, i know that sometimes i take also a long time to answer people).

If you have any suggestions to any feature i should add to the Blog please be so kind to let me know.

A friend of mine was kind enough to make me a draw I could use as the presentation page ending finally with those horrible Blank letters, stripped of emotion. He made a great work, so go check his Photography Blog, FotoPercepção, and tell him what you think about his work.

With this I excuse myself. I need to clean my hair and take a rest.

(I was contacted some days ago by a guy called Dag from Norway which presented me with some very grooooovy sounds from his home, that remarked that the name of the Band and Album of my first Post was very interesting considering my Political orientation. The Common People - Of The People, By The People, For The People. I guess that can be my new moto.)

This Blog is Of The People, By The People and For The People!!!!

Red Greetings!

Salvation - Gypsy Carnival Caravan (1969)

Gypsy Carnival Caravan is the Second and Last Album by the American Acid/Psychedelic Rock Band Salvation.

Formed in San Francisco After two different groups of people met eachother in 1967, they were originally called New Salvation Army Banned, inevitably cutting their name to a shorter version of just Salvation, afraid that the real Salvation Army could legally prosecute them, when they were signed to ABC Records, before getting the Deal they were residents in a Local Topless Club and used to play often in Communal groups in the hip neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury. After their Debut they started getting a lot of gigs supporting the Big ones, like their San Francisco fellows, Big Brother And The Holding Company, the Biggest Blues-Rock Band Canned Heat and the magnificent The Doors. Their fame was slowly growing and were invited to record a Second Album, Gypsy Carnival Caravan, getting a gig as Headliners in the Fillmore East. The Band came to an end when their management ran away with the money of their contract with ABC Records in 1970.

Best Tracks - "Handles Of Care", "Yuk Yuk", "Salvation Jam" and "What'll I Do #42". If you dig the Psychedelic sounds coming out of the San Francisco Acid acts, you will surely find here a lost gem. It's very groovy, full of Jams and Organ/Guitar Solos. I have not been listening to a lot of Psychedelia lately but this one came up and it just blew my mind. Give it a go!

Salvation:

- Al Linde - Vocals.

- Joe Tate - Guitar.

- Artie McLean - Bass.

- Teddy Stewart - Drums.

- Art Resnick - Keyboards, Organ, Harpsichord.

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Daevid Allen - Banana Moon (1971)

Banana Moon is the First Solo Album by the Australian Psychedelic/Progressive Singer, Guitarist Daevid Allen.

Allen trip began in 1960 when after discovering Beat Literature while working on a bookshop, he moved to Paris, more specifically the Beat Hotel, it was in Paris that he grew an interest in Jazz. Next year he once again relocated to England, where he met William S. Burroughs (The great Beat writer, who wrote Junky, Naked Lunch, etc..., also known as the Addict Artist) and inspired by him formed the Jazz-Trio, Daevid Allen Trio, with a young, 16-year old, Robert Wyatt, which performed pieces inspired on the book by Burroughs The Ticket That Exploded. In 1966 the group had developed into Soft Machine (once again inspired by Burroughs Book, The Soft Machine) that he abandoned before the First Album was released. He was denied entrance in England after an European Tour, so he just remained in Paris, participating in the May, 68, Students Revolt, in which he read poetry and distributed Teddybears to the Police. He left for Maiorca, running from the Police and it was there that he Formed Gong. Banana Moon was recorded two years after, with the presence of many of his old and new buddies.

Best Tracks - "Time Of Your Life", "Memories", "White Neck Blooze" and "And His Adventures In The Land Of Flip". This Album is really something. One of the best Progressive works I've heard in awhile. The Cover-Art features a drawing of some Planets, very colorful and Psychedelic, by Didier Léon. It was first released in France and only released in England in 1975.

Daevid Allen (Banana Moon):

- Daevid Allen – Guitar, Vocals.

- Archie Legget – Bass.

- Robert Wyatt – Drums, Vocals, Guitar.

- Barry St. John - Back-Vocals.

- Maggie Bell – Back-Vocals.

- Gerry Fields – Violin.

- Christian Tritsch – Guitar, Bass.

- Pip Pyle – Drums.

- Gary Wright – Piano.

- Gilli Smyth – Vocals.

- Nick Evans – Trombone.

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