Tim Hart & Maddy Prior - Folk Songs Of Olde England, Vol. 2 (1969)

Folk Songs Of Olde England, Vol. 2 is the Second Album by the English Traditional Folk Duo Tim Hart & Maddy Prior.
Folk Songs Of Olde England, Vol. 2 and Folk Songs Of Olde England, Vol. 1 could be sold as a single unit. They are extremely similar. Very old Folk Songs (some of them straight from the 18th century) and one Modern Song by John Conolly, performed by the First generation of Modern Folk Musicians. This was recorded in a very simple fashion (Many times it is Vocals only, and even the ones accompanied it is with a Fiddle or Banjo) as they did not have the funds or a contract with a major Label (Both Vol. 1 and 2 were released on the Tepee Records Label). Just to add some more pieces of information to the mix, they were recorded in Tony Pike Studios, located in Putney, and were produced by none other than the owner of the Studio himself, Tony Pike. The Studio was actually a Room in Pike's House. Concluding, Vol. 2 is a continuation of the first Volume, only recorded in Stereo and with a new song out of the 13 in the Album.
Best Tracks - "My Son John", "Earl Richard", "Paddy Stole The Rope", "The Gardener", "Queen Eleanor's Confession", "Copshawholme Fair" and "Capt. Wedderburn's Courtship". Maddy Prior's Voice is simply fantastic and suits Tim Hart's voice very well. Even a-capella songs sound good and complete, not lacking anything. They are at their best, in this Album.

Tim Hart & Maddy Prior (Folk Songs Of Olde England, Vol. 2 Personnel):

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

- Maddy Prior - Vocals, 5-String Banjo.

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Shawn Phillips - Collaboration (1971)

Collaboration is the Fifth Album by the American Folk-Rock Singer/Songwriter Shawn Phillips.
Shawn Phillips was already playing the Guitar by the age of seven, while traveling the world with his father, a well known spy novelist called Philip Atlee. In his teens he got back to his home in Texas, where he would be influenced by Pop Acts like Ike & Tine Turner, despite his classical education. As soon as he was able to, he joined the Navy, only getting rid of it in the Mid-60's, time when he travelled to California to play in the Folk Circuit. With the lack of success of his two first Albums he decided to try to make it in England where Folk was growing. In England, Phillips found work as a session Musician, playing in Donovan's Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow Albums (he has stated that he was a co-author of the Song "Season Of The Witch") he also changed his style by consuming numerous different psycho-active Drugs. However, Phillips did not own a Work permit, and as such was sent to France, from where he moved further South, to Italy. During his stay in a small piscatory town he conjured the idea of a Trilogy, which he put to practice in England, when he returned in 1968, with the help of Traffic. This Albums were unreleased until he was signed by A&M Records.
Best Tracks - "Us We Are", "Burning Fingers", "Moonshine", "For Her", "What's Happenin' Jim", "Armed", "The Only Logical Conclusion/Get Up Off Your Ass And Dance" and "Coming Down Soft & Easy". Bill Graham, founder of Fillmore East and West, stated that Phillips was "The best kept secret in the music business". It was really a surprise. I never expect much from unknown Solo Musicians, they always have a kind of generic sound, very similar to each other. Phillips is nothing like that, his Guitar work is just amazing and the composition full of emotion. Critics absolutely adored him, while on the other hand the public never followed he bandwagon.

Shawn Phillips (Collaboration Personnel):
- Shawn Phillips - Guitar, vocals.
- Paul Buckmaster - Cello.
- Peter Robinson - Piano, Organ, Bass.
- Brian Odgers - Bass.
- Ann Odell - Electric Piano, Piano.
- John Gustafson - Bass.
- Martin Ford - French Horn.
- Tony Walmsly - Guitar.
- Barry de Souza - Drums.

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Leon Russell - Carney (1972)

Carney is the Third Album by the American Multi-Instrumentralist Rock Musician Leon Russell.
Leon Russell was already performing at the age of 14, with J.J.Cale, creating what was to be called the Tulsa Sound. In the Early 60's he however decided to move to Los Angeles and study Guitar. Phil Spector picked him up and turned him into one of the most coveted Studio Musicians in the Area, playing in tracks by The Byrds and many others. He continued to play as a Session Musician for the rest of the sixties, by the end of it, he was already writing and composing his own songs that he would then give to other Musicians/Bands to play (his first Hit was a Joe Cocker Song, he wrote, composed and Produced). He finally became a Musician on his own in 1970, getting some really successful songs, that would end up being covered by over 40 Musicians. This Early 70's years were extremely active for him, as apart from his Solo career he also had two active Projects, also releasing Albums regularly. Carney features some of his best known songs and got him on the number 2 Slot in the Charts.
Best Tracks - "Tight Rope", "Out In The Woods", "Manhattan Island Serenade", "Roller Derby", "This Masquerade" and "Magic Mirror". Russell always seemed like a weird Musician to me. I had a strange aversion to his Debut, probably due to extended use of the Piano, which i hate. Carney also has quite too much Piano for me, but the Songs have evolved a lot more and now become interesting and strong Compositions.

Leon Russel (Carney Personnel):

- Leon Russell – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Piano.
- Don Preston – Guitar, Vocals.
- Carl Radle – Bass.
- Chuck Blackwell – Drums.
- Joey Cooper – Guitar.
- Jim Keltner – Drums.

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Locomotive - We Are Everything You See (1970)

We Are Everything You See is the First and Only Album by the British Psychedelic-Rock Band Locomotive.
Locomotive appeared in 1965 by the hands of Jazz Musician Jim Simpson, who brought big names of the Music scene in Birmingham in order to create a super-band. The name they chose, The Kansas City Seven however sounded to much like an old Jazz Band for a group that was playing Blues and Soul Songs and that wanted to reach the Top of the Charts. They were doing fine, getting a number of gigs in London, but in 1966 the Line-Up was completely changed, leaving Simpson alone to re-form the Band by himself (Mike Kellie went on to play with Spooky Tooth and Chris Wood was one of the founders of one of the bigger Bands in the circuit, Traffic). By Early 1967 the Band was reformed, and now playing with a Ska influence they released their first Single, which remained ignored until the Late 70's, when some Bands covered them and went up the Charts. In 1968 Simpson left the Band to become a Manager. Apart from Locomotive he also managed Tea & Symphony and Black Sabbath. During Late 1968, they released another Ska Single, this time getting a good number on the Charts (25) and stayed there for a couple weeks, enough fame to land them a Record Contract. Work their only Album began at Abbey Road Studios in the last months of the year, getting it done by the beginnings of 1969. The already obvious Musical evolution to the 70's made Parlophone hold back the Album, finally releasing it in 1970, completely ignored by everyone.
Best Tracks - "Mr. Armageddon", "Now Is The End, The End Is Now", "Lay Me Down Gently", "Rain", "The Loves Of Augustus Abbey, Part II", "Comin Down, Love Song For The Dead Che" and "Time Of Light And Darkness". A very good mix of Psychedelia and Jazz, fantastic compositions. Certainly deserved more attention than the one they got, unfortunately they were too far away from the period where they would have moved the masses. Not overwhelmingly good, but a great Album nonetheless. They have a nice Cover of The United States Of America, while not as good as the original.


Locomotive:
- Norman Haines - Vocals, Keyboards, Organ.
- Bill Madge - Saxophone.
- "Mooney" Mazzone - Drums.
- Mick Hincks - Bass, Vocals.
- Bob Lamb - Drums.
- Mike Taylor - Trumpet.

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Mick Hanly & Mícheál O Dhomhnaill - Celtic Folkweave (1974)

Celtic Folkweave is the First and Only Album by the Irish Celtic-Folk Duo Mick Hanly & Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.
Mick Hanly was a normal Music-Loving boy, until Rock Music suddenly appeared in his town (Limerick) in the Mid-50's. As many other kids during this period, he immediately bought a Guitar and went home to accompany Buddy Holly and Elvis Records with it. His taste for Folk Music only appeared a few years later however, in the Mid-60's Hanly was still rocking to the Sounds of The Spencer Davis Group and The Beatles. In 1970, when he was done with school, he started playing in Folk Clubs on his town. Folk gave him a feeling of "Irishness" and he felt comfortable listening and playing it, something that other the other Musical movement didn't reflect in him. He was best introduced to the Celtic Folk by the hands of Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, a Guitarist very much influenced by John Renbourn. With him he formed a duo called Munroe, Touring with Planxty and gigging all around Ireland. The name Munroe however did not feature in the Cover of their Album, neither is it mentioned in it. Celtic Folkweave, released in 1974 by Polydor Records, would become a landmark in Celtic Music. Munroe would end in 1975, with Domhnaill starting a new Band and Hanly becoming a wandering Troubadour for a couple of years in Britain.
Best Tracks - "Bíodh Orm Anocht/The Hag At The Churn", "The Bold Princess Royal", "The Banks Of Claudy", "Éirigh's Ciur Ort Do Chuid Éadaigh", "An Bothán A Bhaigh Fionnghuala", "The Heathery Hills of Yarrow", "Gan Ainm/Gan Ainm (An Droiou)", "The Hiring Fair at Hamiltownsbawn", "(No Love is Sorrow) Songbird". I've been searching for a Celtic-Folk Album for quite a while now, I had quite a few of them but it seems that there were few of them that really were what i was looking for. This was quite a pleasant surprise and I hope will be a door to find many a more Albums. Some Members of Planxty appear on the Album (Liam O'Flynn especially).


Mick Hanly & Mícheál Ó Domhnaill:
- Mick Hanly - Guitar, Dulcimer, Vocals.

- Mícheál Ó Domhnaill - Guitar, Vocals.

- Liam O'Flynn - Uileann Pipes, Whistle.

- Donal Lunny - Bodhrán.

- Matt Molloy - Flute. 

- Tommy Peoples - Fiddle.

- Declan McNeils - Bass.

- Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill – Harpsichord.

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Mick Softley - Songs For Swingin' Survivors (1965)

Songs For Swingin' Survivors is the Debut Album by the British Folk Singer/Guitarist Mick Softley.
Mick Softley started his musical career by learning to play the Trombone in his school, very much influenced by Traditional Jazz sounds. One of his teachers suggested he started singing and so he did. This new emphasis on his Voice led him to redefine his Music Views and discard Jazz, embracing Folk Music. He ordered a Guitar and taught himself to play, much like many other Musicians at the time. In 1959 he started a trip around Europe on a Motorbike, ending up knowing many very influential Folk figures in Paris, like Clive Palmer and Wizz Jones. He performed on streets for years until his return to England in the Early 60's. In London he created a Folk Club called The Spinning Wheel, which became very famous as its owner, who was very appreciated by his contemporaries for the Bohemian life he had and still lead. The Spinning Wheel ended up being closed by the Police and forced Softley to move to another Club. In the Club The Cock he met Donovan, before he was famous, and began a strong friendship with him. When Donovan got picked up he made it possible for Softley to also get a chance and as such he recorded his Debut in 1965, only him and his Guitar. He quit the Music Industry for 4 years after it.
Best Tracks - "After The Third World War Is Over", "Strange Fruit", "Blues For Cupid Green", "The War Drags On", "Keep Movin' On", "What Makes The Wind To Blow", "I've Got A Deal You Can't Turn" and "Plains Of The Buffalo". The Albums works very well as a single-unit, with very good covers of Billie Holliday and Woody Guthrie. Mick Softley chose not to be famous, and when he was offered a fantastic proposal that would launch him to stardom like his fellow Donovan, he refused.


Mick Softley (Songs For Swingin' Survivors Personnel):
- Mick Softley - Vocals, Guitar.

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Soft Machine - Fourth (1971)

Fourth is the Fourth Album by the English Canterbury Scene Progressive-Rock/Jazz-Fusion Band Soft Machine.

With the band dwelling further and further into Jazz-Fusion, and moving further and further away the changes are obvious. Fourth was their First Instrumental Album, even though they had already taken a big step with Third, where there were only a few couple Voices (No lyrics only harmony) on it, it could not yet be considered as an Instrumental Album. The period between the two Albums was very active, they played dozens of concerts during 1970 and were regarded as one of the big acts of the moment (even by those who are not very often connected with Rock Music) and they had also become very famous throughout the whole Europe. Robert Wyatt left soon after the release, wether it was due to problems with other Band Members, Musical differences or if he was simply sacked it is unknown, but he made it big on himself. The Line-Up changes continued throughout the next years, with new Members every new Album. Fourth is the end of Soft Machine's Wyatt Period.

Best Tracks - "Teeth", "Kings And Queens", "Virtually, Part 1", "Virtually, Part 2" and "Virtually, Part 3". I am much more into their Psychedelic Second Album, and between the two Jazz Albums, Third and Fourth I have to choose the Third. That does not in any way discredit it as a Bad Album. They were and are amazing Musicians and Composers. Wyatt's Period is the Best Soft Machine Era.

Soft Machine:

- Hugh Hopper – Bass.

- Mike Ratledge – Organ, Piano.

- Robert Wyatt – Drums.

- Elton Dean – Alto Saxophone, Saxello.

- Roy Babbington – Double Bass.

- Mark Charig – Cornet.

- Nick Evans – Trombone.

- Jimmy Hastings – Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet.

- Alan Skidmore – Tenor Saxophone.

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ATTENTION MALWARE! MEDIAFIRE AND 4SHARED!

Last couple Weeks a Trojan has been circulating the web. He is transmitted through Ads on websites and will download to your computer as soon as the ad opens. Mac users have no need to worry, and if you have a PC it seems that a good Anti-Virus is enough to prevent it.

The effects don't seem to be that awful. It will install some toolbars and stuff like that against your will, which is very annoying, but at least you don't risk losing important data or damage your computer.

Mediafire and 4Shared are known to host this Ad (which is still unknown), so for the next couple weeks try to use them as least as possible, as you have the chance of getting a damn Malware.

I was told that numerous other Music Blogs were experiencing this. The Trojan is coming from the Download Links not the Blog itself. The Blogs have no influence on it at all.

Also it seems like this Ad is also running on Youtube and Amazon.

This Link, here, will explain in detail how to get rid of it, once it gets to your computer.

The name of the file is XVidSetup.exe

Red Greetings!

Savoy Brown - Raw Sienna (1969)

Raw Sienna is the Fifth Album by the British Blues-Rock Band Savoy Brown.

Savoy Brown appeared in 1965, by the hand of Guitarist Kim Simmonds, who ruled the Band with an iron fist, and made constant Line-Up changes. They were formed in Southwest London (more precisely Battersea) and had one of the first Black Musicians to ever play in a Rock Band in the whole UK (Bryce Portius, the Lead Singer). Right after the release of their First Singles the Band launched their Debut in 1967 and released a steady flow of Albums in the next two years, getting to the extraordinary amount of 3 Records in 1969. Their Third Album got some good sales in America, thanks to their never-ending Tours, that went on for years. Only in 1970, did they get a little bit of attention in their Homeland, never again reaching the Charts there. As soon as Raw Sienna was released they lost their Vocalist (Chris Youlden, who was the replacement for Portius) who was trying to make it Solo (He failed). Savoy Brown never recovered from this abandonment and even though they are still playing today, the don't have even a quarter of the influence they had before.

Best Tracks - "A Hard Way To Go", "That Same Feelin'", "Master Hare", "A Little More Wine", "Is That So" and "When I Was A Young Boy". Some of the Songs like "Is That So" also have a distinct Jazz Influence in them. I wasn't expecting much from this Band, but they turned out to be very, very good. Simmonds is an excellent Guitar player.

Savoy Brown:

- Chris Youlden - Vocals.

- Kim Simmons - Guitar.

- Dave Peverett - Guitar, Vocals.

- Tone Stevens - Bass.

- Roger Earl - Drums.

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NEW BLOG! DEDICATED TO LITERATURE!

As you can see by the Title I have just created a new Blog where i will make small presentations to some Books that I have read and enjoyed immensely. They won't be just from a specific group or country, unlike this one, but I will be talking about Books about Politics, Poetry Books, Novels, Novellas and Short Stories.

I know that many of you like to read a good book from time to time, and I would ask anyone who wants to go check on the blog from time to time, and share their experience while reading any of the books i have posted.

It is called TheRedHippieBooks. Please do give suggestions on what should I write in the Posts!

Red Greetings!

Click here or just click the link that's above the Posts.

Bert Jansch - Bert Jansch (1965)

Bert Jansch is the Debut Album by the Scottish Folk Guitarist/Singer Bert Jansch.

There's a documentary presented by Billy Connolly, about Bert Jansch and the whole British Folk Movement (Acoustic Routes, 1992), where they present this Album as the First true Folk Revival Recording released. The cover alone served as inspiration to hundreds of Folkies, who saw Jansch's skinny body sitting in an empty room with only his Guitar as the embodiment of the whole thing. According to Connolly there where hundreds of houses in London, completely empty, where these new generation lived, dry of material possessions except for their Guitars (The Beat Generation where extremely influential during this period). The Recording Process also adds to the myth. All recorded in Bill Leader's kitchen on a Reel-to-Reel Recorder, and sold to Transatlantic Records for only 100 Pounds. It ended up selling over 150,000 copies, and many of the Songs became standard tunes in Folk Music, the case of "Strolling Down The Highway", "The Needle Of Death" and "Do You Hear Me Now". This success enabled Jansch to record and release two Albums on a quick succession and establish a successful career.

Best Tracks - "Strolling Down The Highway", "Smokey River", "Oh How Your Love Is Strong", "Rambling's Going To Be The Death Of Me", "Veronica", "Needle Of Death", "Do You Hear Me Now", "Casbah", "Dreams Of Love" and "Angie". The song Needle... deals with a true story which happened to Jansch. He was one day with a fellow Folk Singer of his, Buck Polly, who had been in a fight with his wife that same day. He scored his Heroin with a Dealer in a bar and stayed with Jansch some time afterwards. They eventually separated each one going his own way. Next day he was told he had died from an Overdose. It is a really beautiful and sad song and it is by itself reason enough to listen to this Album.

Bert Jansch (Bert Jansch Personnel):

- Bert Jansch - Vocals, Guitar.

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Jackson C. Frank - Jackson C. Frank (1965)

Jackson C. Frank is the First and Only Album by the American Folk Singer/Guitarist Jackson C. Frank.

Jackson C. Frank had one of the most horrific lives anyone can have. When Frank was only 11 years old, a Furnace in his school exploded, projecting huge balls of fire through the corridors. One of those corridors led to his classroom, which led to him getting more than 50% and killed 15 of his classmates. After the recovery he got a quite big insurance check, which was enough for him to catch a Boat to where Folk Music was truly alive, England. There he started living with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel and toured the Clubs with them, ending up recording an Album with Paul Simon, who produced it. His shyness forced him to record his songs behind some screens, so that no one could see him. In just three hours the Album was recorded. Even though he was quite well regarded in England, his depression made him quit everything, making him return to America in 1966, only to return two years later, in a seriously troubling state. According to Al Stewart his compositions at the time where completely 'impenetrable', and there were reviews in the press, stating that he belonged to a psychologist's couch not playing Music. He dated Sandy Denny for awhile during this period, and it was him that convinced her to dedicate herself to Music 100%. Frank's life continued, with the worst things happening to him, until he died in 1999.

Best Tracks - "Blues Run The Game", "Kimbie", "Yellow Walls", "Milk And Honey", "My Name Is Carnival", "I Want To Be Alone (Dialogue)" and "You Never Wanted Me". I was seriously impressed by this Album. There is something about his Voice that makes it a very pleasant experience, even though he is quite similar to what other American Folk Musicians were doing at the time. Maybe it was the London airs.

Jackson C. Frank (Jackson C. Frank Personnel):

- Jackson C. Frank - Vocals, Guitar.

- Al Stewart - Guitar.

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Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band - Safe As Milk (1967)

Safe As Milk is the Debut Album by the American Blues/Psychedelic-Rock Band Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band.

The origins of the Captain Beefheart persona are a quite intriguing and complicate story. Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) started his musical career alongside Frank Zappa, of whom he was a good friend, one of Zappa's first recordings was actually made with Beefheart. The name was first used by Zappa on a script he wrote titled 'Captain Beefheart Vs. The Grunt People', Beefheart's uncle serving as inspiration due to his habit of exposing his Penis to Beefheart's girlfriend and exclaiming, 'Ahh, what a beauty! It looks just like a big, fine beef heart'. With this out of the way, the story of the formation of the Band. Beefheart was invited to join Guitarist Alex St. Clair's new project, Magic Band. Soon they were signed to the A&M Label, and changed the name to Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band, to attract more listeners. After the Singles the Band was dropped from their Label, because their Debut was far too weird for release. They found acceptance by Buddah Records, a subsidiary of the larger Kama Sutra Records, and their Debut was released in Early 1967.

Best Tracks - "Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do", "Zig Zag Wanderer", "Dropout Boogie", "I'm Glad", "Yellow Brick Road", "Abba Zaba", "Plastic Factory", "Where There's Woman" and "Grown So Ugly". Beefheart's voice suits very well the weird Music created by his Magic Band. The sound is very similar to what Frank Zappa was doing with his Mothers Of Invention during the same period, but without the Guitar Solos made by him.

Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band:

- Don Van Vliet "Captain Beefheart" – Vocals, Harmonica, Bass Marimba.

- Alex St. Clair Snouffer – Guitar, Bass, Back-Vocals.

- Jerry Handley – Bass, Back-Vocals.

- John French – Drums, Back-Vocals.

- Ry Cooder – Guitar, Slide Guitar, Bass.

- Samuel Hoffman - Theremin.

- Milt Holland – Log Drum, Tambourine.

- Taj Mahal – Tambourine.

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Jack Bruce - Things We Like (1970)

Things We Like is the Second Album by the Scottish Bassist Jack Bruce.

Cream, by 1968, were one of the Best-Selling and most famous Bands in the Business. But it wasn't all roses for Jack Bruce. Bruce and Ginger Baker had hated eachother for a great number of years now, since they first met on Alexis Korner's Band, Blues Incorporated. Bruce had even been kicked out of another Band, where they both played, The Graham Bond Organisation, due to the constant fights between the two of them. The effort both of them put into making Cream a viable Band, was enormous, trying to don't pay attention to eachother, but it was too much. Bruce was already breaking up with the rest of the Band, recording Things We Like a little before the official end of Cream, with John McLaughlin, Dick Heckstall-Smith and Jon Hiseman, with whom he had played before in a number of different Bands. Technically this is his first Solo Album, even though it was only released two years later, on 1970, after he had already released another Solo Album (Songs For A Tailor, 1969). Things... is a fully instrumental Album, and it is the only Album where you can hear Bruce playing the Double-Bass. He claims to have written most of the tunes when he was 12.

Best Tracks - "Over The Cliff", "Sam Enchanted Dick (Medley): Sam's Sack/Rill's Thrills", "HCKHH Blues", "Ballad For Arthur" and "Ageing". This Album can be easily described as Jazz-Fusion, all Jazz Musicians, playing Jazz Sounds with Jazz Instruments. The Saxophone is especially good, getting the lead-role on most Songs. McLaughlin's Guitar is inaudible most of the time unfortunately.

Jack Bruce (Things We Like Personnel):

- Jack Bruce - Double-Bass.

- John McLaughlin - Guitar.

- Jon Hiseman - Drums.

- Dick Heckstall-Smith - Soprano and Tenor Saxophone.

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Trees - The Garden Of Jane Delawney (1970)

The Garden Of Jane Delawney is the Debut Album by the English Folk-Rock Band Trees.

In the peak of popularity of the Electric Folk Genre, the Trees sprung out. Similarly to the Hottest Band in the movement, Fairport Convention, they also played Traditional Songs and had a Female singer to match Sandy Denny (since we are talking about Electric Folk, why not mention Steeleye Span and Maddy Prior), while being much more prone to Guitar Solos and assorted things. The Band only released two Albums during their year and a half of existence and none of them achieved any kind of success. Both were released in 1970, early and late, and the lack of response, brought them to an end. A second Line-up got together soon after and continued for the next two years, with Musicians coming from Mr. Fox and J.S.D. Band. This incarnation of the Band can still be heard on rare Bootlegs. Back to The Garden Of Jane Delawney, while most of the Songs sound like very old Folk Tunes, the grand majority are in fact, Original songs, while there still being a quite big number of old Folk Songs, as was customary in the time.

Best Tracks - "Nothing Special", "The Great Silkie", "The Garden Of Jane Delawney", "Lady Margaret", "Glasgerion", "She Moved Thro' The Fair", "Road" and "Snail's Lament". A very good Folk Album, with nice Vocal melodies and Guitar work. It has become a classical Album on the Folk Rock Movement, as has the Band.

Trees:

- Bias Boshell - Guitar, Bass, Vocals.
- Unwin Brown - Drums, Vocals.
- Barry Clarke - Guitar.
- David Costa - Guitar.
- Celia Humphris - Keyboards, Vocals.

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Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)

Paranoid is the Second Album by the English Psychedelic/Heavy-Metal Band Black Sabbath. Just a couple of months after the release of their Debut in 1970, Black Sabbath were already inside the Studio preparing the follow-up, with their just gained success they had to capitalize on the attention the Public was giving them (The Critics however bashed them every chance they got). The Second Album was intended to have a strong Anti-War slant, with the Single being “War Pigs” (Also the intended Title), but Warner Records thought it was not such a good idea to criticize the Military in the middle of the Vietnam War, fearing Pro-War (Pigs) would protest the LP. There was therefore a necessity to create a Single to help the Release, and thus “Paranoid” was created in the middle of the Studio, supposedly not taking more than 20 minutes to compose and write the lyrics. The Single released in September 1970, reached the number #4 Slot in the U.K. Warner decided then to release the Album right then, while the memory of the Single was still fresh, and in October Paranoid was freed on the masses. In the United Stated however it was postponed until January 1971, as their Debut was still on the American Top.

Best Tracks - “War Pigs/Luke's Wall”, “Paranoid”, “Planet Caravan”, “Iron Man”, “Electric Funeral”, “Hand Of Doom”, “Rat Salad” and “Jack The Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots” (all the Songs in the Album, yes). One of the First Rock Albums I ever heard, during the time I was listening to the likes of Led Zeppelin and Nirvana. I am of the opinion that their early work is almost as Hard-Psychedelia as it is Heavy Metal. Some fantastic Songs, memorable Riffs and Solos all condensed to make an exceptionally Powerful Record.

Black Sabbath:

- Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals.

- Tony Iommi – Guitar, Flute.

- Geezer Butler – Bass.

- Bill Ward – Drums.

Faine Jade - Introspection: A Faine Jade Recital (1968)

Introspection: A Faine Jade Recital is the First and Only Album by the American Psychedelic-Rock Musician Faine Jade.

As much as it may look, Faine Jade is not a Band. Faine Jade is the name (I'm guessing the Artistic Name, but you never know) of a Long Island Singer and Guitarist who started playing in the Mid-60's with a Band called The Rustics, with whom he released a Single. In 1967 he released a Single on his own (available on a Compilation Album) followed in 1968 by one of the rarest LP's released on the Decade. Faine Jade is often seen as the American version of Syd Barrett. The weirdness and Mysticism of the Lyrics along with the similar Sounds to Pink Floyd's The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn are used to best describe the work of Faine. Needless to say his Album, released on a small Label failed to make the slightest of the impacts, remaining unheard of until an unauthorized version of it was released in the 80's. Sundazed however has taken upon themselves the Task to re-release it with an interview of him and some very rare Photos from the time the Record was being recorded.

Best Tracks - “Doctor Paul Overture”, “People Games Play”, “Cold Winter Sun”, “I Lived Tomorrow”, “Ballad Of The Bad Guys”, “In A Brand New Groove”, “On The Inside” and “Don't Hassle Me”. An original is worth a lot of money nowadays, as the number of copies of it is very, very small. While the cover is very uninviting, the content is sure worth the time spent on it. Great Psychedelic Songs.

Faine Jade:

- Victor Muglia - Bass.

- Randy Skrha - Drums, Tambourine, Bongos, Percussion.

- Nick Manzi - Guitar.

- Brian Cooke - Keyboards, Piano, Organ.

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The Mamas And The Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears (1966)

If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears is the Debut Album by the American Sunshine-Pop Band The Mamas And The Papas.

Denny Doherty and John Phillips were tired of their Folk Act. After two failed Bands they were ready to achieve success. Phillips Wife, Michelle and Cass Elliot were added to the Band soon after (Cass Elliot entered against Phillips will, as he thought such a fat woman would nerf their chances). The name came when the group was watching the Hell's Angels on TV and they stated that their women where not cheap, they were Mamas. Cass Elliot and Michelle started dancing around chanting 'We're The Mamas', which lead to the guys to say to eachother 'The Papas'? Soon they were signed as The Mamas And The Papas by Dunhill Records, a contract which forced them to Release 5 Albums. In 1965 they released their 2 first Singles, the first failing to reach any kind of attention, but the Second one (“California Dreamin') was an instant success and it still has a strong presence in most Radio Stations all around the world. With this success they quickly recorded their Debut and released it in Early 1966. If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears was a Number 1 Hit in the American Charts and 3 in the UK Charts. This Album secured their Fame for ensuing years, which due to the continuing disintegration of the Band would fade in just a couple of years.

Best Tracks - “Monday, Monday”, “Straight Shooter”, “Got A Feelin'”, “Do You Wanna Dance”, “Go Where You Wanna Go”, “California Dreamin'”, “Somebody Groovy” and “In Crowd”. There may be some resistance from fans of the harder sounds of that age to enjoy a Band like The Mamas And The Papas, but they were probably the creators of some of the best compositions Pop Music has ever seen.

The Mamas And The Papas:

- Denny Doherty – Vocals.

- Mama Cass Elliot – Vocals.

- John Phillips – Vocals,Guitar.

- Michelle Phillips – Vocals.

- P.F. Sloan - Guitar, Vocals.

- Larry Knechtel - Keyboards, Bass.

- Hal Blaine – Drums.

- Joe Osborn – Bass.

- Peter Pilafian - Electric Violin.

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Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy (1973)

Houses Of The Holy is the Fifth Album by the English Hard-Rock Band Led Zeppelin.
Led Zeppelin were, since the beginning of the 70's the hot thing in the Rock business. They surpassed Acts like The Rolling Stones and each Album from now on would bring all of them to the Top of the Charts. Work on Houses... began more than a year before its released, in the Spring of 1972, when they were all staying in Mick Jagger's Country House (called Stargroves), and it continued through their 1972 American Tour in two other locations (Many Songs recorded were kept for subsequent Albums). This Album also marks a turning point in Led Zeppelin's Sound. The Mysticism of previous efforts was now all but gone, and the Blues now turned into an array of different Genres, ranging from Funk to Reggae. One of the most fantastic characteristics about the Album is its amazing Cover-Art made by Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis, a collage of a dozen different photos taken in Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland. It was based on Arthur C. Clarke's Book Childhood's End, in which thousands of child-like creatures climbed a mountain. The cover is one of the finest pieces of Cover-Art ever to be made.
Best Tracks - "The Song Remains The Same", "The Rain", "Over The Hills And Far Away", "The Crunge", "D'yer Mak'er", "No Quarter" and "The Ocean". Houses... is often described as the transition between their Self-Titled 4 Albums and the next ventures they would undertake until John Bonham's Death in 1980 (Without Bonham there's no Led Zeppelin, stated Robert Plant). It is not a perfect Album, at least i do not consider any of the Albums released after Led Zeppelin IV, but it is full of some of the greatest Songs in Hard-Rock History. Led Zeppelin were after all my first big Musical Love...

Led Zeppelin:
- Robert Plant - Vocals.
- John Paul Jones – Bass, Keyboards, Mellotron, Synthesiser, Organ, Piano.
- Jimmy Page – Guitars, Pedal Steel Guitar, Theremin.
- John Bonham - Drums.

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973)

Larks' Tongues In Aspic is the Fifth Album by the English Progressive-Rock Band King Crimson.
In just 4 years, King Crimson had gone through three Personnel changes, that left Robert Fripp the sole survivor from their Debut (In The Court Of The Crimson King, 1969). It did not last long as Percussionist Jamie Muir left during the Tour to support Larks'... for many a long time it was thought it was due to an injury taken onstage (A Gong fell on his foot, he was quite the Animal playing Live), only later being revealed that in fact Muir had gone through a seriously bad spiritual moment. For Larks'... Fripp sought a different sound than all the previous Albums, he dropped the characteristic Saxophone and woodwinds, and brought to the Band the principle of Improvisation (Muir was an expert on that, the reason why he was picked first). Fripp also brought Drummer Bill Bruford along. Bruford was already an experienced Musician, having just recorded Yes's Close To The Edge (He left the Band due to being confident that he had done all he could there and wanting to expand his Musical competences even further. Crimson's new Jazz-Fusion Improvisational Sound was exactly what he wanted). This is often considered to be one of the Finest examples of the Sound of King Crimson and numerous times associated with the Cosmic-Rock sonority.
Best Tracks - “Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part One”, “Book Of Saturday”, “Exiles” and “Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part Two”. This is Jazz-Fusion alright. I mean, Progressive-Rock. I mean Heavy-Metal? It is what it is. I've always found the descriptions of KC's sound very lacking and not grasping the true complexity of their Sound. I cannot do it. No one can do it. Sometimes Music surpasses Writing (Faulkner used to say that if he hadn't got such a bad ear, he would be playing Music, not writing, as Music is the only Art that can translate feelings with total precision). Just listen to it.

King Crimson:
- Robert Fripp – Guitar, Mellotron, Electric Piano.
- John Wetton – Bass, Lead-Vocals, Piano.
- Bill Bruford – Drums.
- David Cross – Violin, Viola, Mellotron, Flute, Keyboards.
- Jamie Muir – Percussion.

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July - July (1968)

July is the First and Only Album by the English Psychedelic-Rock Band July.
For a number of years it was thought that the Band originated from a group called The Playboys. They originated in fact as The Dreamers who played much in the style of The Shadows and The Everly Brothers. With the success of R&B they changed their name to The Tomcats, drinking from the Sounds of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. In 1965 another Band called Second Thoughts came to an end (Their Lead-Singer Patrick Campbell-Lyons going on to form the Band Nirvana). From the ashes of this to Bands, The Tomcats were re-formed. With the lack of success in London the Band decided to relocate to Spain, where they performed on the best Venues the Country had to offer (In Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands). They also released a number of EP's that were quite well received there, getting to the Spanish Charts. With the return of the Band to London and the creation of new Material influenced by Psychedelia. Soon after the definitive change to the name July, they got a Recording Deal with Major Minor Records and a Management Deal with Spencer Davis. Their First and Only Album came out that same year (1968) and was completely ignored by everyone except for some critics who deemed it a “complete waste of plastic”, They broke up right after the release. However many of the Songs were later used on 60's Compilations and the Album itself has been re-issued a number of Times. It is one of the most sought-after Psychedelic Albums ever.
Best Tracks - “My Clown”, “Dandelion Seeds”, “Jolly Mary”, “You Missed It All”, “The Way”, “Move On Sweet Flower”, “Crying Is For Writers” and “Friendly Man”. A fantastic example of British Psychedelia. Pure Psychedelic-Rock without that annoying Pop tinge that affect most Obscure Psychedelic Albums.

July:
- Tom Newman - Lead-Vocals, Guitar.
- Tony Duhig - Lead-Guitar, Organ.
- Jon Field - Vocals, Flute, Organ.
- Chris Jackson - Drums, Organ.
- Alan James – Bass.

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The Nice - The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack (1967)

The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack is the Debut Album by the English Psychedelic/Progressive-Rock Band The Nice.
The name The Nice was originally intended to be given by a group called The Little People by Steve Marriott (The Nice was a slang he used on one of his songs for being High). The Little People however decided to take the name of Apostolic Intervention instead and left The Nice to be used by the the Quartet. Formed in the Summer of 1967, they quickly put their hands to work and in the Autumn they were already finishing their Album, has well as recording one session for John Peel's Program Top Gear. By the end of the year the Album was out. It is now considered by many as the First ever Progressive Albums, even though it has also a lot of bearing in the Psychedelic side. The Cover featured the naked Band Members laying together to one another, covered in cellophane, made by Gered Mankowitz. Also worth mentioning that Emerlist Davjack is nobody. He is actually the pseudonym of all the four Band Members, using their last names (Emerson, O'List, Davison and Jackson). The Nice's activity would continue to flourish in the next couple years the Band lasted, implementing even more Jazz and Classical Sounds and creating a wild live act where Emerson's Organ would take the Lead Role (O'List, the Guitarist was sacked during the recording of the Follow-up). In the act, Emerson would use a Dagger to sustain notes as well as wrestling and beating the Organ up (Lemmy from Motorhead, was their Roadie at the time and it was him that gave Emerson the Dagger).
Best Tracks - "Flower King of Flies", "Bonnie K", "Rondo", "War And Peace" and "The Cry Of Eugene". Quite a nice one. Sometimes heavy and full of Guitar Solo and sometimes full of Classical arrangements. Some of the Songs sound quite loose, imagine a straight line. The Album is going well most of the time, but it has some moment that it simple drives off course.

The Nice:
- Keith Emerson - Organ, Piano, Vocals.
- Keith "Lee" Jackson - Bass, Guitar, Vocals.
- David "Davy" O'List - Guitar, Vocals.
- Brian "Blinky" Davison - Drums, Percussion.

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John Renbourn And Robin Williamson - Wheel Of Fortune (1994)

Wheel Of Fortune is a Collaboration Live Album by the English Guitarist John Renbourn and the Multi-Instrumentalist Robin Williamson.
I'll try to make a quick summary of both of this artists career.
John Renbourn was one of the most important Members of the Folk Revival, and revived a number of compositions from the Medieval Period on his Albums. He was also a founding Member of the Jazz/Folk Band Pentangle. He continued to record continuously throughout the 70's and make collaborations with other Musicians during the 80's. He went to the University during the 80's to take a course in Composition. He has never stopped playing for audiences.
Robin Williamson while still considered to be a Member of the Folk Revival was better known as the proponent of the Acid-Folk Sound with his Band The Incredible String Band. With the end of The ISB in the early 70's he started a Solo career (with Myrrh in 1972) that was particularly active during the 80's. He has also established himself as a Storyteller. Renbourn and Williamson got together in 1993 for the First of many Concerts and Tours. Wheel of Fortune, the First time they played live (They jokingly say that they had originally intended to call it The Impenetrable Stringtangle) was composed only by them, no other Musician, performing a long array of British Traditional Songs, with Guitars and Whistles. Wheels... was a nominee for the Grammys, the year it was released, 1994.
Best Tracks - “South Wind/Blarney Pilgrim”, “The Curragh Of Kildare/Milliner's Daughter”, “Bunyan's Hymn/I Saw Three Ships/English Dance”, ”The Lights Of Sweet Anne's”, “The Snows”, “Finn And The Old Man's House”, “Matt Highland”, “Little Niles”, “The Rocks Of Bawn” and “Wheel Of Fortune”. As a big fan of both Renbourn and Williamson it was more than a pleasure to listen to this. A full hour of the best British Songs performed by two amazing Musicians.

John Renbourn And Robin Williamson (Wheel Of Fortune Personnel):
- John Renbourn – Guitar, Vocals.
- Robin Williamson – Celtic Harp, Vocals, Guitar.

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The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown (1968)

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown is the Debut Album by the English Psychedelic-Rock Band The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown.
While studying Philosophy and Law in the University of Reading, Arthur Brown started developing a serious interest for Music and Performance. In no time, he quit his studies and moved to Paris where he spent his time working on his representation skills (he also recorded two songs for a film based on a novel by Emile Zola). Upon his return to England in Late 1966 he was a member of the Band The Foundations, which he left as soon as they got a good deal with Pye Records. It was time for him to set off to find himself a Band. TCWOAB got, as soon as they started a reputation for their Wild Performances where Brown would use a ton of make-up and the weirdest items of clothing possible, and finally set fire to his hair (This started by mistake in a Concert, which ended with two fans putting out the fire with their beers). One of their songs "Fire", was very popular selling over 1,000,000 copies and has been covered numerous times, even in this last decade. It is also noteworthy to mention that the Producers were Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend of The Who fame.
Best Tracks - "Prelude/Nightmare", "Fanfare/Fire Poem", "Fire", "I Put A Spell On You", "Rest Cure", "I've Got Money" and "Child of My Kingdom". Not my favourite Psychedelic Album ever but it is indeed very interesting. I miss the Guitar and I did not enjoy some of the Songs. There were others however that were fantastic and really worth the time spent on them.

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown:
- Arthur Brown – Vocals
- Vincent Crane – Keyboards.
- Sean Nicholas – Bass.
- Drachen Theaker – Drums.

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