This Tromsø/Norway act started as The Arctic in spring 1964. They headed to Stockholm/Sweden to pursue a professional career and it was there where they met the businessman Sten Ekroth, who became their manager. Ekroth's idea was to make the band as big as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and it was him who came out with the name "Pussycats". Their first single "Ebb Tide/Cadillac" sold nearly 25,000 copies. Their follow-up "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia/Donna" did not sell nearly as much, but at least it was not a week without the Pussycats was featured in the press. Their career was marked by scandal stories, often arranged by their manager. Their debut-album Pssst! Pssst! was hailed as a masterpiece in the press, and from a historical perspective, the LP is considered to be a milestone. No other Norwegian artists had until 1966 been able to make a rock LP of such convincing quality, both in terms of sound, performance and song material. The album was also one of the '60s greatest successes in Norway and stayed ten weeks on top of the charts, which was a Norwegian record. During a publicity tour in the summer of 1966, the Pussycats' second LP was recorded in Hamburg. Mrrr... Mrrr... was a bold mix of catchy pop songs and more experimental tunes and received ovations in the press and sold well again. Prior to the release of Mrrr... Mrrr... Ekroth quit his job and Totto Johannessen took over the management. More singles followed and they developed now a more polished Pop sound with less success. "Vanya Maria/Death Is Coming" was their last release as The Pussycats and perhaps their only record with hints of Psychedelia. Another 45 "Sjøreisa/Mors Minner" came out under the pseudonym Sailors but didn't make much impression. Soon after the band quit but in 1971 Trond Graff and Sverre Kjelsberg reformed the group with new members. Their only output was the album "Touch Wood" in 1973 which moves towards Progressive and Jazz.
The Pussycats Story (PolyGram 847502-2 / 1990) includes all their singles and the best tracks of their two albums.
Tracklist: - Ebb Tide - Cadillac - Donna - Gonna Send You Back To Georgia - Boom Boom - Gone, Gone, Gone - Danny - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - The Last Time - Just A Little Teardrop - Let Me Stay With You - Purdy Patsy - Baby Baby - Don't Love Me - Love Me Tonight - Why Have We To Wait - Song - They Say... - Regrets - I'm Going Home - The Craftsman - True True Lovin' - Travellin' - A Night Of Life - Rain - Call Me - Vanja Maria - Death Is Coming Personnel: Trond "Eddy" Graff (lead gtr, vcls, organ) [ABCDEFGHI] Ottar "Jimmy" Aasegg (rhythm gtr, vcls) [ABCDEFGH] Sverre "Teddy" Kjelsberg (bs, lead vcls) [ABCDEFGHI] Ingemar "Reddy" Stjerndahl (keyb'ds, vcls) [AC] Friedel "Freddy" Brandt (drms) [ABCDEFGH] Dennis Wilhelmsson (keyb'ds, vcls) [B] Christian Reim (keyb'ds) [D] John Erik Holtan (keyb'ds) [E] (Arild Boman (keyb'ds) [F]) Janne Løseth (lead gtr, vcls) [G] Per Christian Hansen (gtr) [H] Bjørn Henriksen (gtr) [I] Bror Dahl (sax) [I] Knut T. Johannessen (drms) [I] Band origin: Tromsø (Norway)
A harmony-pop outfit from London, they started as The West Coast Consortium. With their high-pitched falsetto vocals they are nothing for the hard-psych connoisseur. Their first single didn't make any impression and for some reason they changed their name for the second 45 to Robbie (maybe to establish their lead singer Robbie Fair as a solo act). Again success eluded them, although it was quite good. The follow-up "Colour Sergeant Lilywhite" was perhaps their most psychedelic and one of their best outings. Soon after they added organist Bill Mangham to their line-up and shortened their name to Consortium. The first record they did under the new moniker was "All The Love In The World". It was their only hit, reaching #22 in the UK charts. Not a bad song, but the backings are totally annoying. They released five more singles, all in the same style. Particularly "Day The Train Never Came", "I Don't Want Her Any More" and "The House Upon The Hill" are well worth hearing. They finally split around 1975 after RCA cancelled a record deal for an LP. At this time only Robbie Fair, now Robbie Legat, was the only remaining original member. The recordings were finally released as "Rebirth" on Angel Air in 2006 and more or less in the Pop-Rock vein. In 2003 Castle (Castle Music CMRCD 786) released "Looking Back", a 27 track CD, including all the singles (except the last) plus 11 unreleased tracks. There's another CD on Wooden Hill called "Mr. Umbrella Man" with more unreleased stuff.
Tracklist: - Some Other Someday - Looking Back - Indigo Spring - Listen To The Man - Colour Sergeant Lillywhite - Lady From Baltimore - All The Love In The World - Spending My Life Saying Goodbye - When The Day Breaks - The Day The Train Never Came - Beggar Man - Cynthia Serenity - I Don't Want Her Anymore - The House Upon The Hill - Melanie Cries Alone - Copper Coloured Years - To Please Louise - Amanda Jane - Cindy In Love - Willow Wood - I'll Always Love You - Soldiers In The Rain - Live And Let Live - Once Upon A Time - What Are They All Singing About - Scarlet River - One Day The Train Never Came Personnel: Robbie Fair [aka Robbie Leggat] (vcls) [ABC] Brian Bronson (gtr) [AB] Geoffrey Simpson (organ, lead gtr, vcls) [AB] John Barker (bs, trombone) [AB] John Podbury (drms) [AB] Bill Mangham (organ) [B] Brian Parker (vcls, gtr) [C] Mick Ware (vcls, gtr) [C] Ken Brown (bs) [C] John Parker (drms) [C] Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. (C) Rebirth (Angel Air SJPCD 216) 2006
[1. racorded 1975]
45's: 1. (A) Some Other Someday/Looking Back (Pye 7N 17352) 1967 2. (A) Indigo Spring/Listen To The Man (Pye 7N 17370) 1967 3. (A) Colour Sergeant Lillywhite/Lady From Baltimore (Pye 7N 17482) 1968 4. (B) All The Love In The World/ Spending My Life Saying Goodbye (Pye 7N 17635) 1968 5. (B) When The Day Breaks/Day The Train Never Came (Pye 7N 17725) 1969 6. (B) Beggar Man/Cynthia Serenity (Pye 7N 17797) 1969 7. (B) I Don't Want Her Any More/The House Upon The Hill (Pye 7N 17841) 1969 8. (B) Melanie Cries Alone/Copper Coloured Years (Trend TNT 52) 1970 9. (B) Annabella/Tell Me My Friend (Trend 6099 004) 1971
[1. + 3. as West Coast Consortium] [2. as Robbie] [4. - 9. as Consortium]
The third "Love-In" volume keeps the good standard of the previous releases. That means unknown and (still) uncompiled music from the Californian sixties. Bands like Canterbury Fair, Morning Glory or Peppermint Trolley Co. are no unknowns for the '60s connoisseur and you will also get your kicks with Joyride's excellent cover of The Doors' "Crystal Ship", the unusual but great "We Chose To Walk" by Zone 26 or Earth Island's non-album track "Doomsday Afternoon". Info on some bands is still hard to find but Jonathan Cole was the writer for Joyrides third and last single "Land of Rypap Papyr" and also responsible for Sound Sandwich's excellent "Apothecary Dream". Maybe there's a link betweens these two bands but it's just a guess. A nice and pleasant collection with 25 titles this is recommended for "Soft Sounds For Gentle People" addicts.
Tracklist: 1. Aggregation – Maharishi taken from the single Sunshine Superman/Maharishi (LHI 1209) 1968 Line-up: LeWayne Braun (lead gtr, vcls), Dale Burt (piano, organ, vcls), Bayard Gregory (drms, timpani, bongos, tambourine, vcls), Leo Potts (flute, clarinet, sax, recorder, kazoo, vcls), Lemoyne Taylor (flute, clarinet, sax, slide whistle, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 2. Joyride – Crystal Ship taken from the single The Crystal Ship/Coming Soon (World Pacific 77877) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 3. Thorinshield – Life Is A Dream taken from the single The Best Of It/Life Is A Dream (Philips 40492) 1967 Line-up: James Smith (gtr, vcls), Bobby Ray (bs, vcls), Terry Hand (drms, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 4. Chocolate Tunnel - Ostrich People taken from the single Highly Successful Young Rupert White/Ostrich People (In-Sound 403/Era 3185) 1967 Line-up incl.: Kenny Johnson (lead gtr, vcls), Jerry Ritchie (bs). Band origin: Bakersfield (California) 5. Zone 26 – Chose To Walk taken from the single Chose To Walk/When The World Turns Cold (World Pacific 77896) 1967 Line-up incl.: Brian Monsour (keyb'ds). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 6. Power – She Is The Color taken from the single Children Ask [If He Is Dead]/She Is The Color (Showplace WS 218/MGM K 13815) 1967 Line-up: Robin Johnston (lead gtr, vcls), John Romero (lead vcls, gtr), Joe Romero (bs, vcls), Jim Sanchez (keyb'ds, vcls), Joe Rodriguez (drms, vcls). Band origin: Torrance/Hawthorne (California) 7. Earth Island – Doomsday Afternoon taken from the single Doomsday Afternoon/Tuesday Afternoon (Philips DJP 62 40673) 1970 Line-up: Bruce Doshier (lead gtr, flute, vcls), Bill Liska (gtr, vcls), Richard Vanderwoerdt (gtr, keyb'ds, vcls), Nicholas Rush (drms, vcls). Band origin: Canada → Los Angeles (California) 8. Morning Glory – I See A Light taken from the single Need Someone/I See A Light (Fontana 1613) 1968 Line-up: Gini Graybeal (lead vcls, cymbals, tamb), Bob Bohanna (bs, gtr, vcls), Larry Gerughty (organ, piano, harpsichord, vcls), Allen Wehr (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California) 9. Elfstone - Beat The Clock taken from the single Louisiana Teardrops/Beat The Clock (World Pacific 77912) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 10. Canterbury Fair – Days I Love taken from the single Song On A May Morning/Days I Love (Koala 8081) 1968 Line-up: Phillip Hollingsworth (bs, keyb'ds, vcls), John Hollingsworth (keyb'ds, vcls), Joe Lo Freso (keyb'ds), Sean Corsaro (drms). Band origin: Fresno (California) 11. Lewis & Clarke Expedition – Daddy's Plastic Child taken from the single Daddy's Plastic Child/Gypsy Song Man (Colgems 1028) 1968 Line-up: Ken Bloom (lead gtr, autoharp, clarinet, sax, flute, organ), Boomer Clarke [aka Owen Castleman] (gtr, perc, vcls), Travis Lewis [aka Michael Martin Murphy] (gtr, hrmnca, vcls), John London (gtr, bs, perc), Johnny Raines (drms, perc). Band origin: Dallas (Texas) 12. Gale Garnett - I Make Him Fly taken from the single The Sun Is Gray/I Make Him Fly (RCA 47-9020) 1967 Line-up incl.: Gale Zoë Garnett (vcls), Mike Deasy (gtr), Van Dyke Parks (keyb'ds), Earl Palmer (drms). Origin: Los Angeles (California) 13. Rejoice – Golden Gate Park taken from the single Golden Gate Park/Sonora (Dunhill D-4158) 1968 Line-up incl.: Tom Brown (vcls), Nancy Brown (vcls), Michael Patrick Moore (drms). Additional musicians: Hal Blaine (drms), Joe Osborne (bs), Larry Knechtel (piano). Band origin: Marin County (California) 14. Looking Glass - If I Never Love Again taken from the single Silver And Sunshine [How Wonderful Is Our Love]/If I Never Love Again (Valiant 750) 1967 Line-up: Ron Andre (vcls), Bonnie Andre [aka Bonnie Donato] (vcls), Linda Donato (vcls). Band origin: Sacramento (California) 15. Peppermint Trolley Co. - It's A Lazy Summer Day taken fromthe singleIt's A Lazy Summer Day/Blue Eyes (Acta 809) 1967 Line-up: Danny Faragher (vcls, clavinet, organ, trombone, piano, perc), Jimmy Faragher (vcls, bs, perc), Casey Cunningham (drms, perc). Additional musician: James Fleming Rasmussen (gtr). Band origin: Redlands (California) 16. Knack – Pretty Daisy taken from the single Pretty Daisy/Banana Man (Capitol 5940) 1967 Line-up: Mike Chain (lead vcls, gtr), Dink Kaplan (gtr), Larry Gould (bs, vcls), Pug Baker (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 17. Family Album – Get Together taken from the single Get Together/Mind Beside Mine (December 875) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 18. Chris & Craig – I Need You taken from the single Isha/I Need You (Capitol 5694) 1966 Line-up incl.: Craig Smith (gtr, vcls), Chris Ducey (gtr, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 19. Zone 26 – When The World Turns Cold See Track 5 20. Carmel Covered Popcorn – Suzie Q taken from the single Suzie Q/Looking For A Place (Vistone 2055) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California) 21. People – Riding High taken from the single Organ Grinder/Riding High (Capitol 5920) 1967 Line-up: Gene Mason (vcls), Larry Norman (vcls), Jeoff Levin (gtr), Robb Levin (bs), Albert Ribisi (organ), Denny Fridkin (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California) 22. Yankee Dollar – Mucky Truckee River taken from the single Mucky Truckee River/Reflections Of A Shattered Mind (Dot 17213) 1969 Line-up: Liza Gonzales (vcls), Dave Riordan (vcls), Greg Likins (gtr), Bill Reynolds (bs), Bill Masuda (organ), Nick Alexander (drms). Band origin: San Luis Obispo (California) 23. Knack - Banana Man See Track 16 24. Meditations – Transcendental Meditation taken from the single Transcendental Meditation/Beautiful Experience (World Pacific 77876) 1967 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 25. Aggregation – Sunshine Superman See Track 1
From Chicago/Illinois, the Saturday's Children were a pleasant pop group, clearly influenced by The Beatles' "Rubber Soul" era. They released three singles on the Dunwich label and the unreleased "A Man With Money" appeared later on the retrospective compilation Early Chicago in 1971. These eight tracks are from the Sundazed double E.P. (Sundazed SEP-2 126 / 1997) and contains all their material.
Tracklist: - You Don't Know Better - Born On Saturday - I Hardly Know Her - Leave That Baby Alone - A Man With Money - Tomorrow Is Her Name - Christmas Sounds - Deck Five Personnel: Ron Holder (gtr, vcls) Dave Carter (gtr) Jeff Boyan (bs, vcls) Rick Goettler (organ) George Paluch (drms) Band origin: Chicago (Illinois/US)
Discographie: 45's: 1. You Don't Know Better/Born On Saturday (Dunwich 139) 1966 2. Deck Five/Christmas Sounds (Dunwich 144) 1966 3. Leave That Baby Alone/I Hardly Know Her (Dunwich 156) 1967
More psychedelic and pop sounds from the Californian underground '60s scene. In addition to better known groups such as The Travel Agency, Gale Garnett & The Gentle Reign, Damon or the excellent Stone Country there are some great songs from The Californians, Hinge, Waphphle or Initial Shock.
Tracklist: 1. Travel Agency - What's A Man taken from the single What's A Man/She Understands (Viva 637) 1969 Line-up incl.: Steve Haehl (lead gtr, vcls), Frank Lupica (drms), Michael S. Aydelotte. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 2. Gale Garnett And The Gentle Reign - Breaking Through taken from the single Breaking Through/Fall In Love Again (Columbia 44479) 1969 Line-up: Gale Garnett (lead vcls), Bruce Horiuchi (lead gtr, kazoo), Bob Ingram (gtr), Tony Hill (keyb'ds), Michael Aragon (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 3. The Californians - Nausea Beast taken from the single Glass Disguise/Nausea Beast (Crazy Horse 1318) 1969 Line-up incl.: Richard Bastrup (gtr), Jim Ferguson (gtr), Curt Pickelle (bs), Doug Brown (sax, keyb'ds), Steve Schmit (drms). Band origin: Anaheim (California/US) 4. Damon - Oh What A Good Boy Am I taken from the single Song Of A Gypsy/Oh, What A Good Boy Am I (Ankh 1) 1969 Line-up incl.: Damon [real name David Del Conte] (vcls, gtr). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 5. Stone Country - Love Psalm taken from the single Love Psalm/Magnolias (RCA 47-9472) 1968 Line-up: Steve Young (lead gtr, vcls), Doug Brooks (rhythm gtr, vcls), Richard Lockmiller (gtr), Dann Barry (bs, vcls), Don Beck (banjo), Dennis Conway (drms). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 6. Hinge - Now Let Me Love You taken from the single Now Let Me Love You/I'll Pretend (Highland 1194) 1968 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 7. Stained Glass – Lonely [demo / 1966] Line-up: Bob Rominger (gtr), Jim McPherson (bs, vcls), Dennis Carrasco (drms). Band origin: San Jose (California/US) 8. Boston Tea Party - Don't Leave Me Alone taken from the single Is It Love/Don't Leave Me Alone (Fona 311) 1967 Line-up: Travis Fields (vcls), Mike Stevens (lead gtr), Richard de Perna (bs), Robert de Perna (organ), Dave Novogroski (drms). Band origin: Burbank (California/US) 9. Waphphle - Going Down taken from the single Goin' Down/I Want You (Elektra 45616) 1967 Line-up: Glenn Strawn (lead gtr), Brian Barmby (bs), Jack Giere (vcls, keyb'ds), Rick Jagla (drms). Band origin: Sacramento (California/US) 10. Unwritten Law - Action Speaks Louder taken from the single This Whole World Is Blind/Action Speaks Louder (Strata 106) 197? Line-up incl.: Luther Burbank (vcls, gtr). Band origin: Burlingame (California/US) 11. Initial Shock – You've Been A Long Time Comin' taken from the single You've Been A Long Time Comin'/I Once Asked (BFD 2022) 1967 Line-up: Mojo Collins (gtr, organ, vcls), George Wallace (lead gtr), Steve Garr (bs), Brian Knaff (drms). Band origin: Missoula (Montana) → San Francisco (California/US) 12. Ferguson Tractor - Desperation Blues taken from the single 12 O'Clock High/Desperation Blues (MTA 169) 1969 Line-up incl.: D. Ferguson. Band origin: California 13. Mount Rushmore – Rough Rider [demo / 1967] Line-up: Glen Smith (vcls), Mike Bolan (lead gtr), Terry Kimball (bs), Travis Fullerton (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 14. Stone Country - Life Stands Daring Me taken from the single Life Stands Daring Me/Time Isn't There [Anymore] (RCA 47-9301) 1967 Line-up/Band origin: See Track 5 15. Californians - Glass Disguise See Track 3 16. Laughing Wind – The Bells taken from the single John Works Hard/The Bells (Tower 315) 1967 Line-up: Dan Harris (gtr, vcls), Shaun Harris (gtr, bs, vcls), Michael Lloyd (keyb'ds, gtr, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 17. Thorinshield - Family Of Man taken from the single Family Of Man/Lonely Mountain Again (Philips 40521) 1968 Line-up: James Smith (gtr, vcls), Bobby Ray (bs, vcls), Terry Hand (drms, vcls). Band origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 18. Bethlehem Exit - Walk Me Out taken from the single Walk Me Out/Blues Concerning My Girl (Jabberwock 110) 1966 Line-up: John Tomasi (lead vcls, harp), Pete Sultzbach (gtr), Dave Wilkie (bs), Chris Ingstrom (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 19. Travel Agency - She Understands See Track 1 20. nePenthe - Good Morning Baby taken from the single Good Morning Baby/Slow It Down (Direction D-4003) 1970 Line-up: unknown. Band origin: California 21. Peter Fonda - Catch The Wind taken from the single November Nights/Catch The Wind (Chisa 004) 1967 Line-up incl.: Peter Fonda (vcls), Hugh Masekela (trumpet). Origin: Los Angeles (California/US) 22. California Bear - Hand My Head taken from the single Hand My Head/Virgin Dreams (M&H MH-101) 1969 Line-up incl.: Bruce Terry. Band origin: Riverside (California/US) 23. Stone Country - Time Isn't There (Anymore) See Track 14 24. Instant Ralston – Mariposa taken from the single Mariposa/Rock And Mole (Scepter 12338) 1971 Line-up incl.: Gerry Ralston (vcls). Band origin: California 25. Randy S & The Westwood Paper - Haight Ashbury Blues taken from the single Haight Ashbury Blues/ Haight Ashbury Blues instrumental
(American Gramophone 6-667) 1967 Line-up incl.: Randy Sparks. Band origin: San Francisco (California/US) 26. Crystal Fountain – Sensations taken from the single The Night Behind Us/Sensations (acetate) 1967 Line-up incl.: Wendy Flower (lead vcls), Bonnie Flower (drms). Band origin: San Francisco (California/US)
I think we all agree that Apple was responsible for one of the great albums of the UK '60s era. Their lone longplayer and the two 45's for Page One (both included on "An Apple A Day") are still at top of my list for British Psychedelic music. Prior to their releases on Larry Page's label they had a US/Holland only single on Smash/Philips. "Thank U Very Much/Your Heart Is Free Just Like The Wind" never made it onto the recent re-issues or any compilation and I've always wondering if this 7-inch is something special. A while ago I purchased the Smash release for an acceptable price and I can tell you that I was rather disappointed. "Thank U Very Much" is a Roger McGee composition and if you like the Scaffold, well, than you will go along with this version too. "Your Heart Is Free Just Like The Wind" was a small hit for Vicki Carr and the Apple cover is even greasier than the soppy original. Both songs are in comparison with their later material nondescript and for completists only.
Tracklist: - Thank U Very Much - Your Heart Is Free Just Like The Wind Personnel: Dennis Regan (vcls) Rob Ingram (gtr) Jeffrey Harrod (bs) Charlie Barber (piano) David Brassington (drms) Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. An Apple A Day... (Page One POLS 016) 1969
45's: 1. Thank U Very Much/Your Heart Is Free Just Like The Wind (Smash S-2143) 1968 2. Let's Take A Trip Down The Rhine/Buffalo Billycan (Page One POF 101) 1968 3. Doctor Rock/The Otherside (Page One POF 110) 1968
[1. US release / also released in Holland "Philips 320269 BF"]
Pete Miller is yet another fascinating figure from the underexpiored recesses of the British '60s beat under-world. He released two tremendous, utterly twisted singles: "Baby I Got News For You" (as Miller) in 1965, and "Cold Turkey" as (Big Boy Pete) in 1968. Prior to this, he had been lead guitarist for Peter Jay & the Jaywalkers, whose output included several singles produced by Joe Meek. Judging by some of the quirky, inventive and just plain WEIRD sounds on this collection, Miller had been watching Meek closely during his Jaywalkers days, (though he'd have to have been doing so furtively as Joe was secretive to the point of paranoia about his sound techniques). In his home studio in Norwich -"sur-rounded by lava lamps and Hindi visuals" - Miller and his musician friends spent most of 1966-69 conjur-ing up bizarre feats of pop and psychedelia, utilizing some of the echo and compression techniques he'd observed at Meek's studio along with many of his own electronic innovations. Fourteen of these songs make their first public showing on Homage To Catatonia, amply displayed in a magnificent gatefold sleeve complete with lyrics and all-telling liner notes. Combine a razor-sharp studio instinct, simple but superior '60s recording technology, madcap psycho-pop songsmithing ala (maybe) Roy Wood/Jeff Lynne with p'raps a little Edward Lear-esque nonsensical wordplay thrown in, and you may - just may - have same idea what you'll find on songs like "Knit Me A Kiss" or "A Dog Called Doug"-but it still won't begin to explain the impossible-to-pigeonhole (and amazing) "I Am Seldom 21", "Chinaman" or 'The Procession." Miller's tapes truly are a very unique secret horde of English psychedelia, and, incredibly, several of these recordings pre-date even the Beatles "Revolver", let alone the subsequent psychedelic stampede. Perhaps the strangest but most strangely satisfying set since I Hear A New World. A grower. I recommended. (Mike Stax in "Ugly Things")
This album was released on the Tenth Planet label (Tenth Planet TP 026 / 1996). There's nothing much to say against his pop-psych tunes but he polished his old tapes a bit too much. So I've got the feeling that it sounds more like the '90s than the '60s. But I'm nagging and nagging and nagging... In fact it's a good album with some great songs like "Knit Me A Kiss", "Paranoia" or "The Procession". More info about his music on his website
Tracklist: - Sheer Lunacy - Crocogators - I Am Seldom Twenty One - Knit Me A Kiss - 1,500,000 Volts - Captain Of My Toy Balloon - John Celery - Paranoia - Chinaman - Music Created By Dust - A Dog Called Doug - The Procession - The Candleman - The Treacle Dance Personnel incl.: Peter Miller (gtr, bs, sitar, vcls) Origin: Norwich (Norfolk/UK)
Discographie: 45's: 1. Cold Turkey/My Love Is Like A Spaceship (Camp 602005) 1968
Duncan Browne's self-titled second album plays like a direct sequel to his debut long-player, Give Me Take You; he uses the same acoustic guitar and writes in a similar idiom, especially on tracks like "Country Song" and "The Martlet." Indeed, apart from the fact that it's generally better recorded, most of Duncan Browne could easily have slotted into the earlier album; the only exceptions are the more elaborately produced songs, such as "Ragged Rain Life," with its electric guitar sound, the keyboard-embellished "Babe Rainbow," and the bluesier, Dylan-esque "Journey," which was a substantial hit in England. Browne's style elsewhere on the record is unique unto himself, built around hauntingly beautiful melodies, mostly in a folk idiom, with some choice results, including the exquisite "Over the Reef" and "My Old Friends." He saved the best for last, a valedictory number entitled "Last Time Around," featuring extensive and impressive acoustic guitar ornamentation that gives way to some surprisingly tasteful progressive rock electronic sounds on the choruses. The RAK album was reissued on CD by EMI (EMI 724353562328) in 2002 with four bonus tracks, comprised of odd single sides and a pair of outtakes that extended the record's stylistic range considerably, into a more purely electric rock, more standard (though still enjoyable and attractive) singer/songwriter mode - although the last of the bonus tracks, the previously unissued "Mignon," is easily the prettiest song that Browne ever recorded and is thoroughly in the style of his first LP. Even overlooking its own intrinsic merits, Duncan Browne is worth owning as a more mature and developed, if slightly less spontaneous, expression of the sensibilities that forged Give Me Take You. (Bruce Eder in "allmusic Guide")
You can also find his wonderful first album on theTime Has Told Meblogspot.
Tracklist: - Ragged Rain Life - Country Song - The Martlet - My Only Son - Baby Rainbow - Journey - Cast No Shadow - Over The Reef - My Old Friends - Last Time Around - In A Mist (bonus) - Send Me The Bill For Your Friendship (bonus) - Guitar Piece (bonus) - Mignon (bonus) Personnel: Duncan Browne (vcls) Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. Give Me Take You (Immediate IMSP 018) 1968 2. Duncan Browne (Rak SRKA 6754) 1973
45's: 1. On The Bombsite/Alfred Bell (Immediate IM 70) 1968 2. Resurrection Joe/Final Asylum (Bell BLL 1119) 1970 3. Journey/In A Mist (Rak RAK 135) 1972 4. Send Me The Bill/My Only Son (Rak RAK 162) 1973
Obscure local album by Northwest frat/lounge/pop band of the tuxedo dancehall variety. Seemingly patterned on the Raiders' "Here they come" with half crooner ballads & half teen rockers. The charming Orbisonstyle smoothies are a bit cheesier than the Raiders' but the garage fuzz tracks (I counted 3½) are good with a fat rocking NW sound and neato teen vocals. Bizarre closing Dylan cover. (Patrick The Lama in "The Acid Archives")
As far as I know "Where Did She Go" (Satori 1001) was their third and last album. The A-side is eminently forgettable and the songs fit better to an aged crooner with too much pomade in his hair than to a garage band. The flip-side is way-out better and much more in the garage-vein. The guitar on their cover of Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" sounds pretty much like Punk-Rock '77 than '67. Definitely not a lost gem but hard to get and before you pay silly money for this better have a listen first, although the quality of this rip (which is not mine) is not the best. You can find more information on theGarage Hangoversite.
Tracklist: - Where Did She Go - Candy Roses And Love - My Girl - Pretty One - My Prayer - Stay Away From My Girl - Rapunzel - Glimmer, Glimmer, Sunshine - Love Work Shop - I Used To Feel Bad - Subterranian Homesick Blues - Don't Go Home Personnel: Jack Bedient (lead vcls, rhythm gtr) [ABCD] Kevin Woods (lead gtr, vcls) [ABC] Bill Britt (bs, vcls) [ABC] Jewell Hendricks (drms) [AB] Walter Hanna (keyb'ds) [BC] Ira Orr (drms) [C] Jerry Bledsoe (drms) [C] Steve Eggleston (bs) [D] Sam Wisner (drms) [D] Dennis Hayes (organ) Bill Vitt (drms) Band origin: California → Carson City (Nevada)
Discographie: Albums: 1. Two Sides of Jack Bedient (Trophy 101) 1964 2. Live at Harvey's Fantasy 3365 1965 3. Where Did She Go (Satori 1001) 1967 4. Songs You Requested (Chessmen no #) 196? 5. In Concert [Harolds] (Chessmen no #) 1969 6. Jack Bedient (Executive Productions no #) 196?
45's: 1. The Mystic One/Question (Era 3050) 1961 2. Pretty One/Silver Haired Daddy (Trophy 1001) 1964 3. See The Little Girl/Here I Am (Fantasy 595) 1965 4. See The Little Girl/Looking For A Good Love (Fantasy 595) 1965 5. Double Whammy/I Want You To Know (Fantasy 598) 1965 6. Drummer Boy [Play Us A Song]/Dream Boy [Count Your Dreams] (Palomar 2212) 1965 7. Glimmer Sunshine/Where Did She Go (Rev 104/5-66) 1966 8. Love WorkshopI Could Have Loved You So Well (Columbia 4-44302) 1967 9. Pretty One/See That Girl (Columbia 4-44481) 1968 10. The Pleasures Of You/It’s Over (Columbia 4-44565) 1968 11. My Prayer/Independence Day (Columbia 4-44671) 1968 12. I've Been Loving You/I Could Never Lose My Love For You (Executive Productions 21) 1969 13. Beautiful [Takes A Trip]/Release Me (Executive Productions 21) 1969
This group originated from Finspång/Sweden. Their only album from 1966 is a pleasant affair with nice vocal harmonies and melodies that were heavily influenced by the "Beatles-Revolver"-era. This CD (EMI 724385930225 / 1998) contains all their singles and the above mentioned album.
Tracklist: - Wondering - Nothing But Moan - Little Down-Hearted Arthur - Im Krankenhaus - Please Girl Put Me On Your List - Suit-Men Crowd - He's A Friend Of Mine - I Can't Catch Them - Mr. Great Blues - Restless Feeling One Hour After Dinner - The Taperecorder - The Leaves Of The Summer - Frosty Stars On A Window-Pane - Meet Mr. Edgar - Through My Door - Displeasing Message - One Way Ticket (To The Blues) - Take My Suzy - Wrong Side - Easy To Fool - Umbrella - Drizzle - Puzzled - I Can't Sleep - Only Love Personnel: Olle Nilsson (gtr, vcls) [A] Kenneth Larsson (gtr, vcls) [A] Conny Larsson (bs, vcls) [A] Thomas Palmkvist (drms) [A] Torgny Lind (drms) Curt Bergh (drms) Band origin: Finspång (Östergötland/Sweden)
Discographie: Albums: 1. 14 In A Bunch (Olga LPO 03) 1966
45's: 1. Wondering/Nothing But Moan (Olga SO 16) 1965 2. I Can't Catch Them/Through My Door (Olga SO 22) 1966 3. Displeasing Message/Little Down-Hearted Arthur (Olga SO 30) 1966 4. One Way Ticket/Take My Suzy (Olga SO 35) 1967 5. Im Krankenhaus/Meet Mr. Edgar (Olga SO 39) 1967 6. Wrong Side/Easy To Fool (Olga SO 42) 1967 7. Easy To Fool/Frosty Stars On A Window Pane (Olga SO 51) 1967 8. Through My Door/Meet Mr. Edgar (Olga OLE 002) 1968 9. Umbrella/Drizzle [Rain] (Olga OLE 006) 1968
Not my rip, but this album seems hard to get. The Young Idea were Tony Cox and Douglas MacCrae-Brown. They charted with the Beatles cover "With A Little Help From My Friends" and after five singles for Columbia an album (Music For Pleasure MFP 1225 / 1968) with twelve tracks was finally released. Most of the material was taken from the aforementioned 45s and it's a shame that their best song "Colours Of Darkness" remained as a b-side of their top-ten hit. All in all this is a very good Pop album ("Just Look At The Rain", "Room With A View" or "Mister Lovin' Luggage Man" are great pop-psych tunes). The four "LP-only tracks" are more or less fillers, only "In Bond Street" reaches the standard of the other songs.
Tracklist: - With A Little Help From My Friends - Games Men Play - World's Been Good To Me Tonight - On The King's Road - Mister Lovin' Luggage Man - Just Look At The Rain - Peculiar Situation - In Bond Street - Just To Love Her - Gotta Get Out The Mess I'm In - Room With A View - Tar And Cement Personnel: Tony Cox (piano, gtr, vcls) Douglas MacCrae-Brown (gtr, vcls) Band origin: London
Discographie: Albums: 1. With A Little Help From My Friends (Music For Pleasure MFP 1225) 1968
45's: 1. The World's Been Good To Me/It Can't Be (Columbia DB 7961) 1966 2. Gotta Get Out Of The Mess I'm In/Games Men Play (Columbia DB 8067) 1966 3. Peculiar Situation/Just Look At The Rain (Columbia DB 8132) 1967 4. With A Little Help From My Friends/Colours Of Darkness (Columbia DB 8205) 1967 5. Mister Lovin' Luggage Man/Room With A View (Columbia DB 8284) 1967
Rare, original and hard to get music is the demand of that blog here. If a record is still available through mailorders I won't post it (but I make exceptions if I get the feeling the dealers force up the prices). Enjoy the music and... ...leave comments (or leave me alone).
This Tromsø/Norway act started as The Arctic in spring 1964. They headed to Stockholm/Sweden to pursue a professional career and it was there where they met the businessman Sten Ekroth, who became their manager. Ekroth's idea was to make the band as big as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and it was him who came out with the name "Pussycats". Their first single "Ebb Tide/Cadillac" sold nearly 25,000 copies. Their follow-up "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia/Donna" did not sell nearly as much, but at least it was not a week without the Pussycats was featured in the press. Their career was marked by scandal stories, often arranged by their manager. Their debut-album Pssst! Pssst! was hailed as a masterpiece in the press, and from a historical perspective, the LP is considered to be a milestone. No other Norwegian artists had until 1966 been able to make a rock LP of such convincing quality, both in terms of sound, performance and song material. The album was also one of the '60s greatest successes in Norway and stayed ten weeks on top of the charts, which was a Norwegian record. During a publicity tour in the summer of 1966, the Pussycats' second LP was recorded in Hamburg. Mrrr... Mrrr... was a bold mix of catchy pop songs and more experimental tunes and received ovations in the press and sold well again. Prior to the release of Mrrr... Mrrr... Ekroth quit his job and Totto Johannessen took over the management. More singles followed and they developed now a more polished Pop sound with less success. "Vanya Maria/Death Is Coming" was their last release as The Pussycats and perhaps their only record with hints of Psychedelia. Another 45 "Sjøreisa/Mors Minner" came out under the pseudonym Sailors but didn't make much impression. Soon after the band quit but in 1971 Trond Graff and Sverre Kjelsberg reformed the group with new members. Their only output was the album "Touch Wood" in 1973 which moves towards Progressive and Jazz. 
