NB: (1) was repressed in 1989 and is also available on CD (Golden Classics Rebirth GRC 003) 1996.
The above psychedelic rock album is one of the better Mainstream issues. Side one opens with Hard Hard Year, full of pleasant vocal harmonies and melodic guitar work. Edge Of Time is an uptempo number with great guitar work. Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled and A Boy I Once Knew Well both feature harmonised vocals and some great guitar. Side two relies more on covers. There's some great guitar playing in their version of Mister You're A Better Man Than I and in Other Side Of Life and they've an individual interpretation of Steve Still's Sit Down I Think I Love You. An EP accompanying "Le Rock Psychedelique Vol.1" book also features What Kind Of Life. (Vernon Joynson / Max Waller)
Produced by Robert Duffey on Frank Zappa and Herb Cohen's label, a cross between rock and hard rock. Dennis Rodriguez, Harry Brender, Gene Lucero and Danny McBride were previously in Utopia (not the Todd Rundgren group). (Stephane Rebeschini)
The album is a very rare and unusual psychedelic folk album. Grudzien came from New York and some collectors rate his album, which incorporated bits of stolen classical, blue-grass and electronic experiments, very highly indeed. It has recently been reissued on CD by the Parallel World label with six bonus tracks.
A rare single of heavy psych with wah-wah and demented vocals. Heartbreak Hotel, the old Elvis hit, was also covered by Frijid Pink. (Stephane Rebeschini)
Geoffrey Gibor seems to have been the creative force behind this group, having written the music and lyrics to most of the tracks on their album. The heavier rock cuts on the album are the best and feature some fine guitar work with Motel Mama, You Really Need Me There and Lady among the finer moments. Another 45 on the Indiana Talun label may be by the same act Gryphon Sky of Mind/Love, Hope, and Misery (Talun TRC-802) 1972. (Vernon Joynson/Jason Yoder)
An average punk band from Denton in Texas judging by the flip of this 45, which can be found on Texas Punk, Vol. 9 (LP), Garage Punk Unknowns, Vol. 4 (LP) and Acid Visions - Complete Collection, Vol. 3 (3-CD). (Max Waller)
An unknown group, who appeared on Del-Fi's doorstep in Los Angeles at the beginning of '66, recorded one single and disappeared. As the topside they chose to cover Don't Ever Change from the Kinks' Kinda Kinks LP. Lonely is a jangly original, wherein Rubber Soul-era Beatles meets with soft-rock harmonizing ala The Mamas and Papas. (Bryan Thomas/Max Waller)
A regular on the Norfolk, Va. scene since 1958 and the Blue Beards, Lenis Guess was a soulful singer who recorded under the guidance of local scenemaker Frank Guida. The Guida/Guess partnership extended into songwriting, e.g. both sides of The Wild Thing's debut. His own material is mainly outside our borders but check out Aliens, Psychos And Wild Things (CD) for the "soul-garage" sounds of Workin' For My Baby, which topped the local charts and featured Terry Bacon and Jerry James from The Psychos. (Brent Hosier/Dr.Simon Trent D.S.U./Max Waller)
NB: (6) Buddy DeLaney solo 45 (with The Candy Soupe). Elvis Presley once cited this Memphis-based act as his favourite local band which instantly led to a deal with the HBR label. They recorded quite extensively during 1965-66 and toured widely but success eluded them and plans for an album were scrapped. Most of their self-penned material certainly appealed to their fellow garage bands if not the record buying public - Five Of Us' version of Hey You can be heard on Boulders, Vol.8; The Moonrakers' cover of I Don't Believe on Highs In The Mid-Sixties, Vol. 18. Unfortunately the later material was not penned by the band and degenerated into bland pop, Crying All Over My Time for example is a rather wimpy sounding garage effort. Of their material worthy of note - I Don't Believe is a decent jangly folk-rock ditty; For My Own is Byrdsy garage pop; I Sit And Cry is excellent tough garage-beat A-la Gants. Louis, who left the band after For My Own recalls:-"We were working with Phil Spector when our manager signed us with HBR... I grew up with Elvis, he used to call me 'Highschool'. We hung out on the movie set with him when we weren't working. He was a wonderful person, we had a lot of fun, I miss him. The Guilloteens were his favorite band at that time and he used to come to the Red Velvet Lounge to hear us play. He had a place there in the corner where he could sit unnoticed." Hey You was also covered in 1981 by Jonny Sevin (Sounds Of Now 80s comp). Laddie Hutcherson still lives and performs in Memphis. After quitting the band in 1968 he played in several groups before going solo. Louis Paul performed locally in clubs fronting his own band then returned to L.A. in 1970. He appeared on recordings by 3 Dog Night, Blues Image and Bobby Hebb. From 1970 to 1977 he released at least nine solo 45s and put out an eponymous LP on the Enterprise label in 1972. Paul's replacement Buddy DeLaney later released a solo 45 where he claimed writer credits for both sides, even though The Guilloteens' I Love That Girl was originally co-credited to him and Joe Davis. The flip, Girl, is a rework of another Guilloteens' song, Laddie Hutcherson's Hey You!. For a more detailed history and solo discography of this respected and fondly-remembered band, seek out a copy of Ron Hall's book on the Memphis scene (from 1960 to 1975) 'Playing For A Piece Of The Door', published in 2001 by Shangri-La Projects (ISBN 0-9668575-1-8). Compilation coverage has included:- For My Own on Leaving It All Behind (LP); Wild Child on Mind Blowers (LP); Hey You on Diana's Rootin' Tootin' Wild Teenage Rock 'N' Roll Party! (LP) and Everywhere Chainsaw Sound (LP); Crying All Over My Time on Highs In The Mid Sixties, Vol. 8 (LP). For more information, check out Louis Paul Jr's Guilloteens website: http://mywebpage.netscape.com/guilloteens1965/index.html (Max Waller/Jeff Lemlich)
An obscure St. Louis, Missouri outfit, who evolved out of Bob Kuban and The In-Men. Their Time/News 45 is interesting to psych pop collectors - Time is sorta Brit-pop-psych with Turtles harmonies whilst News has a tougher edge with some gruff guitar and a pulsating beat. Unfortunately the Atco 45 saw them drift towards the Blood, Sweat and Tears school of soul-rock. Ray Schulte was an early member of this band, though we don't know whether he played on any of the 45s. He was of course later the main guy in the excellent late-sixties combo Touch. Time has resurfaced on Incredible Sound Show Stories, Vol. 8 (LP) whilst News has also been compiled on Brain Shadows, Vol. 2 (LP & CD). (Max Waller/John Gold)
From New Mexico, a Christian folk/rock group with stunning "angelic" female vocals plus organ and guitar on tracks like Close To Me, The Answer, The You In You and Man Of Mind, Man Of Soul. (Stephane Rebeschini)
An instrumental exploito album with some good guitar parts using fuzz or wah-wah effects, quite dated now. (Stephane Rebeschini)
NB: (1) also issued in the UK (Elektra 2410 006) 1969.
NB: (1) also released in Australia by Astor. From Philadelphia, this obscure group is mainly notable for being the first group of Daryl Hall, who later found fame and fortune with Hall and Oates. Tim Moore became a successful songwriter, background vocalist and also had a solo (and rather mellow) career with five albums between 1974 and 1979. Sellers and Helmer both became session musicians, with Helmer playing with the late Laura Nyro. The photo on their album was taken at Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphia, which may possibly have been their stomping ground. Compilation appearances have included Christine on Elektrock The Sixties (4-LP). (Stephane Rebeschini/Alice Chasan)
NB: (1) issued as by 'Gun Hill Road'.
A little-known rock group from the New York Area. Although basically a trio, they were assisted on their second album by a number of session guests including Bill Perry and Larry Brown (ex-Daddy Dewdrop), Paul Cotton and George Grantham (Poco), Kenny Rogers, Andy Newmark, Reinie Press... Their hit single, Back When My Hair Was Short is a great song. Most of their material was written by Glenn Leopold and the band were managed by Paul Colby, the owner of the legendary nightclub 'The Bitter End' in Greenwich Village, New York City. (Stephane Rebeschini/Gary Myers/Bob Golombik)
A very marginal case for inclusion because this is an underrated progressive as opposed to garage or psychedelic album. An unusual combination of instruments works well with all tracks interesting and a couple particularly good - all were penned by the group. An all Jewish line-up with a hint of traditional Jewish music in their sound. Closely followed by Lloyd Grossman, who co-produced the album and wrote the sleeve-notes.
A San Francisco hippie singer in the Janis Joplin style, with a competent back-up group using fuzz guitar. Another Goldberg / Kulka production, like Afterglow, Maze and Mesmerizing Eye, it contains some good cuts like Mind Pucker and a cover of Can't Buy Me Love which is very similar to the Neighb'rhood Childr'n version. (Stephane Rebeschini)
NB: (1) was advertised but does not appear to have been released.
A mid-sixties outfit who have been variously reported as coming from New York and Los Angeles. Both sides of the first 45 are Eastern-influenced, the vocals are rather reminiscent ot Kaleidoscope. The second 45 is rather more poppy - the 'A' side is a cover of a Critters' song. Erik Lindgren's liner notes for A Heavy Dose Of Lyte Psych (which includes It Just Won't Be That Way), says that the band consisted of five music majors from the New York area, who recorded several tracks for the above album, but that United Artists pulled the plugs, after the 2nd 45 stiffed. Their first 45 came in a pic sleeve. It's way past time someone issued this LP on the strength of the 45s alone. Other compilation appearances have included: Everybody's Got To Be Alone Sometime on Mindblowing Encounters Of The Purple Kind (LP); and Come Girl on A Trip On The Magic Flying Machine. (Max Waller)
NB: (1) reissued on CD in Japan (Trattoria ) 199?
A soft psych singer, who wrote Sunday Mornin, a hit for Spanky and Our Gang. The non LP 'A' side was a "thank you" for recording her song. (Stephane Rebeschini/David Rosner)
NB: These albums were also released in the U.K. and France. (1) has been reissued several times. (2) reissued on CD (Koch KOCCD 7948).
Son of the legendary Woodie Guthrie, Arlo appeared in 1967 with Alice's Restaurant Massacree, an eighteen-minute underground hit. His first album was well received and a movie was later made out of the song themes. His following effort Arlo, was live and is not recommended. Guthrie then teamed up with Lenny Waronker and Van Dyke Parks and Running Down The Road was recorded with two Byrds (Clarence White and Gene Parsons), Ry Cooder, Jim Gordon, James Burton, Jerry Scheff (Holy Mackerel), John Pilla and Chris Ethridge. Essentially folk and country rock oriented, it contains two songs of interest: the dope-smuggling anthem Coming In To Los Angeles and the strange title track with its chiming guitars recorded with lots of echo. Arlo Guthrie performed at Woodstock and a live version of Coming In To Los Angeles can be found on the 'Woodstock' film and soundtrack. Still working with Cooder, Clarence White and various folk and country-rock musicians, his other albums are out of the scope of this book. (Stephane Rebeschini)
Although some some imaginative (or deaf) dealers describe it as "folk/psych", this album is in fact closer to the first few albums by Don McLean. Dennis Guy was a rather mellow singer/songwriter who added some very light jazz touches to his material. The best tracks are Say You'll Be With Me and Hypersensitive Jester. (Stephane Rebeschini)
You'll find Growth on Hipsville 29 B.C. (LP) and Ear-Piercing Punk (CD). Blatant stuff from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Max Waller)
NB: (1) reissued in the U.K. on Psychedelic Archives in 1995 and also reissued on CD, together with his 1981 album The Faerie Shaman as The Music Of Gwydion 1998. An Oakland, California act whose acid folk album, on which Gwydion is backed by the Wicca Blues Band, is notable for an outstanding cover photo and one great track called Sungod. Not that expensive to obtain in the U.S.A., it seems to have been considered a mega-rarity in Europe, which resulted in its reissue. The late Gwydion Pennderwen, is best known for his activist role in the neo-Pagan community. Pennderwen was a friend/disciple of the late Victor Anderson. Anderson was known as a high priest in the Pagan community; a proponent, of the Feri tradition of witchcraft. Gwydion actually considered himself a Druid and was a member of a latter day Druid sect the New and Reformed Order of the Golden Down. So what about the guy's music? Interestingly, at least one dealer has compared it to The Incredible String Band, but this stuff is simply too weird for such a comparison. If you've ever spent an evening in an Irish bar, you've probably heard stuff that's similar to much of 1975's Gwyndion Sings: Songs for the Old Religion. Exemplified by largely acoustic material such as Return Of The King, Harvest Dance and Can Ceridwen it was clear that Gwydion and his associates (listed as The California Wicca Blues Band), had a keen interest in English and Irish folk music. Propelled by Gywdion's decent voice (he sounds like he'd spent a great deal of time hanging around Irish bars), the album's fifteen tracks are full of Celtic imagery and mysticism (tales of kings, damsels in distress, fairies, witches, etc.). Those themes were apparently in keeping with Gwydion's Pagan beliefs; the songs intended to honor Pagan days of worship, as well as reflections on seasonal rounds and love songs to Pagan Gods and Goddesses. Actually, the best track was the atypical The Sungod. Written by Dana Corby (damn if she didn't sound like prime era Grace Slick), and backed by one of the few electric arrangements, the song sported a weird pseudo-Jefferson Airplane vibe. Great song! It's certainly different and has generated a cult following (guess there are lots of European Pagan's with high incomes), willing to pay some big bucks for an original copy. Shortly after his first album was released, Gwydion visited Wales and Ireland. While in Ireland he had a strange premonition that left him so shaken, that upon returning to his native California, he quit his job, basically moving into seclusion on his Mendocino Country farm. He spent the next four years in virtual seclusion, but starting in 1980 began making occasional concert appearances at various Pagan events and working in support of a reforestation project - Forever Forests. In 1982 Gwydion recorded his sophomore album. Supported by the Sheila na Gig Pipes and Drums, The Fairy Shaman the set was far more traditional than the debut. Once again, the set was largely made up of acoustic folk material; most of it reflections of his Pagan beliefs . While the sound quality was better than the debut, it still left something to be desired. Unfortunately, shortly after the album was released, the 36 year old Gwydion was killed in a car accident. (Vernon Joynson/Clark Faville/Scott Blackerby)
An acid folk rock singer sometimes compared to Perry Leopold. (Stephane Rebeschini)
NB: (5) as by American Gypsy, (6) 6 as by The James Walsh Gypsy Band.
NB: (8) and (9) as by The James Walsh Gypsy Band. This long-lived outfit evolved out of Minneapolis' Underbeats, who'd been wowing them in the Midwest since the early '60s. Given the prodigious output under their various monickers, latterly as American Gypsy and The James Walsh Gypsy Band, they must have enjoyed much success but have retained a relatively low profile in collectors circles since, apart from entries in Tom Tourville's ground-breaking 'Minnesota Rocked' discography. They may have relocated to California at some point, since their early LPs were recorded there. The first double album is full of originals, which are psychedelic in mood with West Coast jazz-rock influences and some Southern rock tinges. One of the second LP's highlights is Another Way, an Eastern influenced jam which sounds not unlike early Santana - it's featured on the Journey To The East (LP) compilation. The third album is more mainstream and not as good. It does consist entirely of originals, the better tracks being Facing Time, Young Gypsy, Antithesis and Money. Enrico Rosenbaum was the chief creative force behind Gypsy, and sadly later committed suicide. James Walsh led several reformations in later years, and now works in a recording studio in Minneapolis doing independent production projects. Bill Lordan went on to work with Sly and The Family Stone, and later had a long-lasting relationship with Robin Trower, touring and recording with Trower for many years. (Max Waller / Vernon Joynson / Richard King / Bill Cafruny)
This punk 45 was the work of 15 year olds from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas. The flip is a forgetable sort of dance record. Caprice was a subsidiary label of Vandan. Compilation appearances include: Oh Girl! on Acid Visions - Complete Collection, Vol. 3 (3-CD) and Texas Punk, Vol. 9 (LP).
Rather than a group, this LA artist was the well known Sunset Strip loony and 'Nature Boy', a (slightly) younger friend of Eden Ahbez and 'star' of 'Mondo Hollywood'.... He also made an album on Sidewalk and featured as a resident loony-about-Hollywood, living rough by the Hollywood Sign with the other Nature Boys. Boots was also a regular guest on Steve Allan's TV show, Steve used to make it a point to have local eccentrics on, and one show featured Frank Zappa playing music on a bicycle frame way before he was famous. Boots was on his show a lot from the '50s onward. At one time he lived in a tree in Topanga park... Nowadays Boots spends much time promoting a health bar and generally healthy vegetarian diet.... with the enthusiastic support of Kirk and Michael Douglas, no less! You can check out his website at:- http://gypsyboots.tripod.com/ (Stephane Rebeschini/Joe Foster)
Originally from Oklahoma but based in Los Angeles, the flip to this folk duo's 45 was covered by The Electric Prunes on their first 45. It has since been covered by Vancouver's Fiends on their 1992 Zombie A Go Go EP, and by Tim Gassen's Purple Merkins on the Dig It EP. Rock'n Roll Gypsies was also covered by Hearts and Flowers, on BOTH their Capitol LPs and latterly compiled on Nuggets Vol. 10. Teaming up with old friend and another Oklahoma emigre, Leon Russell - who now had a label "Viva" and adding J.J. Cale and you get The Leathercoated Minds' LP. In 1970, Roger Tillison made one good album, Roger Tillison's Album,(Atco >SD-355), strongly influenced by The Band And Dylan. He also made further solo albums. You can also find Ain't It Hard on Pebbles Vol. 9 (CD) and Highs In The Mid-Sixties, Vol. 1 (LP). (Max Waller/Stephane Rebeschini) |
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