Yahowa 13 addition
Now Playing: Led Zep "Kashmir" live
Topic: Addition

There recently appeared a retrospective Yahowa 13/Father Yod LP which went so deep below the radar that most people may not even know it exists. This is a shame since it is, in fact, possibly, the best archival YHWH release so far! I wrote a review of it in Ugly Things magazine, which is excerpted here:

YAHOWA 13 (Los Angeles, CA)
Spirit Of ’76  2010 (Sagittarius no #)  [200p]
"After several high-profile releases, this retrospective Yahowa LP slipped out in a way that seems almost deliberately mysterious. Housed in a dull cover with a drawing of Father Yod, it comes with basically zero information except that it’s a very limited pressing. It looks like an old school bootleg for hardcore collectors, but the label is a subsidiary of noted indie imprint Qbico. So what gives?

Before I answer that, and I will, some words about the music. From the opening minute it’s obvious that we are in the presence of Father Yod, so this is clearly a vintage recording. The band is credited as ‘Spirit Of 76’, which was the earliest of a few different Source Family rock bands, featuring keyboard and female backing vocals. What comes streaming out of the speakers confirms the credit, with a rich, at times jazz-funky sound reminiscent of side 1 of the Expansion album. The mood is a bit lighter than the awesome dark intensity of Contraction and Expansion, but an outré time is still guaranteed for all, thanks to Yod’s inspired presence and the quality and commitment of the musicians. The playing is remarkably adept, with some wicked guitar leads emerging out of the jammy keyboard groove. Any devotee of the Source Family’s music will find what he needs on this LP, which also boosts better sound than the ‘70s pressings.

As to the odd nature of the release I can report, exclusively for UT from Yahowa guitar hero Djin Aquarian that, yes, it is a legit product from a legit label, despite its bootleg appearance, and yes, this is Father & the early Spirit Of ’76 band. In fact, it seems to be nothing less than the very earliest recording from the entire Yahowa scene, preceding Expansion & co. Why Sagittarius decided to treat this vital, arresting recording from a major cult band as some gray area shit they wanted to bury is anyone’s guess, but I gathered that delays in liner notes and documentation from Djin and friends may have frustrated the label. It’s ironic that an outfit that was once known only among esoteric record collectors sees it’s most attractive archival release come out as a faceless 200-copy press, which may already be sold out when you read this."

- Patrick Lundborg, Ugly Things magazine #31

Dana Westover kover konfusion
Topic: Minor change or comment

Juan C in Spain alerted me to the fact that Dana Westover's Memorial To Fear only gives the title as 'Memorial' on the sleeve and label, the 'To Fear' part nowhere to be found. Looking around I find that all three copies recently sold are listed by the sellers with the title as 'Memorial To Fear', which is either a curious coincidence, or a case of them relying on an inaccurate Acid Archives entry...

But maybe the AA entry isn't entirely inaccurate. The '...To Fear' phrase must have originated somewhere, and when looking at an old sleeve scan it looks like these two words have been added to the printed 'Memorial' word on the front cover. What also emerges is the fact that there are at least two, probably three sleeve variants on the Dana Westover LP. One shows images of clouds and the artist and title credit; a variant adds a small image of an old airplane at the centre of the cover; and a third variant has no airplane but adds (presumably) the words 'To Fear' in small print below the 'Memorial' title.

Input from Mr Westover may be needed to sort this out; until then it may be wise to assume that several original sleeve variants exist, which isn't uncommon for private pressings like this.

March 2012 update: a few people have confirmed that their copies have '...To Fear' added to the title of the album, so it seems that Westover decided to change the title after the sleeves had been printed.

Fran's Band
Now Playing: Arthur LP on LHI
Topic: Addition

Here's an old 'secret want' that I finally located after hearing a couple of tracks on a mix tape 4-5 years back. In addition to its general obscurity, it connects to a well-known underground music nexus...

FRAN'S BAND (New York City, NY)
Tomorrow Never Comes 1977 (Tribute 1005)
One of the least commonly seen titles on this tax-scam label with Frankie Carr involvement. This is almost certainly recordings from earlier parts of Carr's career, much like what can be found on the All Natural Band album. About 2/3rds of Fran's Band features blue-eyed soul-pop with a Young Rascals-Critters sound. The lead vocals are remarkably good, the playing tight, and the overall sound pretty professional. There are no horns, and this stuff could probably go over well with collectors of '60s Eastcoast teenbeat. I would guesstimate a 1969 recording year for this material. Carr was apparently a member of the later-day Critters, so maybe that is the source. On side 2 are a couple of faceless tracks in inferior sound and a more '70s style, reminiscent of the weaker aspects of the Spare Change Band. Again, there are no credits at all, but to me it sounds like it could well be a Carr-led outfit. The album then turns up the heat considerably for the two closing tracks, which are crude, grungy basement rock with fuzz guitars and stoner vocals, sounding a bit like Boa or Negative Space. This may not be Carr; at least it's rawer than anything I've heard from him, but it wraps up the album very nicely into an above-average trip for tax-scams. Housed in a generic, ill-fitting cover, four copies are known to exist of the LP at this point. [PL]
~~~
see => Spare Change Band; Frankie Carr; Tea Company

Misty Hush Revival update
Topic: Minor change or comment

The aforementioned It's Psychedelic Baby blog keeps digging up unexpected scoops, most lately a Q & A relating the story of Misty Hush Revival, one of the most obscure albums in the Acid Archives book. The notion of the album as a 'farewell' artifact from a long-running NJ club band is basically confirmed. They were however from Staten Island rather than New Jersey, to be precise. 100 copies were pressed of the LP in 1972, mainly on initiative of the band's lead singer. The contents are a mix of live and studio recordings.

MISTY HUSH REVIVAL (Staten Island, NY)
Your Heart Is Broken 1972 (Dynamite 1001S)  [100p] 

see: http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2011/12/misty-hush-revival-interview-with-ron.html

Aaron Fleming
Topic: Addition

AARON FLEMING ( )
Project Class 197  (R.P.C  Z-442551)  [blank back]
The field of custom label folk has a very poor hit ratio in terms of records that people truly like and listen to when tripping or if out on a date, but persistence pays off among those who keep digging around. Aaron Fleming's project is a crude DIY affair, so crude that it could be called 'folk-punk' at times, not least the opening track with its crazed, Heitkotter-like drumming. Fleming sings in a nasal street poet style somewhat like Mark Winokur, and writes the most rudimentary songs imaginable. Despite the drumming throughout and Fleming's off-key protest songs this is still '70s loner folk, but I can't think of many comparable releases that sound like this, or pack as much personality. Not for everyone, but a recognizable find. Only a couple of known copies at this point. [PL]
...
thanks to Alexandre in France for suggesting this obscurity

Bohemian Vendetta
Now Playing: Solar Fields "Monogram"
Topic: Minor change or comment
The universally admired Bohemian Vendetta LP came in both stereo and mono versions, and most of the comments you see are based on the more common stereo mix, which is also what has been reissued. However, after getting a mono copy recently I would wager that the mono mix is superior to the stereo, with a presence and punch that serves the music extremely well. If this is a favorite LP of yours, make sure you get to hear the mono mix.

Corpus (TX) facts & fun
Now Playing: Milan-Palermo, currently 3-0
Topic: Entry data revision

The hip and most energetic blog "It's Psychedelic Baby" keeps churning out interviews with bands you never thought be tracked down. Recently two members from Corpus of Creation A Child told the band's story, including the rather mindblowing detail that "Joy" -- probably the best track on the LP -- was about the teenage Farrah Fawcett who went to a Corpus high school back then!

Also, a press size of 1000 copies was reported by both members.

CORPUS (Corpus Christi, TX)
Creation A Child 1972 (Acorn 1001)  [red label; banded tracks; 1000p]

Allen Ginsberg addendum

see => The Organic Experience

As detailed in the post below, a previously undocumented recording of Allen Ginsberg reading poetry before a c1969 live audience can be found on an obscure college project LP, The Organic Experience. The standard Ginsberg bibliography (The Works Of Allen Ginsberg by Bill Morgan) includes many dozens of vinyl LPs, but not this one. In view of its content and vintage nature, the album should be of substantial interest to Ginsberg collectors.

The Organic Experience
Now Playing: great Sonaura track on psyradio.org
Topic: Addition

An interesting college project thing with a major surprise hidden inside that I ran across a few months back: 

THE ORGANIC EXPERIENCE (Portland, ME)
The Organic Experience 1970 (Omni)
This previously undocumented college project LP from University of Maine, Portland (a college branch no longer extant) is not only earlier than most college yearbook albums, but of substantial interest on a couple of counts. There's some rock and folkrock music which seems to be live-recorded, but no artists are credited; tracks include "Born To Be Wild" and "Green Rocky Road" among others, in good, ballsy versions. Even more remarkable is a track credited only as "Ginsburg's Thing", which turns out to be nothing less than a previously unknown recording of Allen Ginsberg reciting poetry, presumably at a campus gathering. The date references and the contents of the recording confirm that this is a circa 1969 recording of Ginsberg live before an audience. Not included in the standard Ginsberg bibliography by Morgan, this is a substantial find. The reading is lengthy, at least 10 minutes, and includes the poem "Northwest Passage", which Ginsberg elsewhere has assigned a composition date of April 1969, which is in line with the overall chronology. Presumably the students had no authorization to release this record, which is why Ginsberg's presence is so buried. The remainder of the record is a typical period collage that captures the 'now' of being a hippie student in 1970, with radio broadcast speeches mixed with 'found' music and effects, etc. The front cover looks to be blank at first, until you discover the small mushroom drawn in the lower left corner. The back cover has an elaborate abstract drawing and some minor credits. That no one has discovered the nature of this album in 40 years is puzzling, and Ginsberg collectors will undoubtedly be interested. [PL]

Filet Of Soul / Freedom correction
Now Playing: the kids @ Fifa 11
Topic: Entry data revision

Contrary to popular record collector belief over the past decades, the rarely discussed Filet Of Soul album was cut by a band named Freedom, with "Filet Of Soul" being the title. The two are usually reversed, as they are in the Acid Archives book. So the entry should look like this.

FREEDOM (Thorp, WI)
Filet Of Soul 1970 (Moniquid 4857)

In addition, there is now a reissue of this album from Gear Fab. The band were formerly known as Attila & The Huns and had some 45s.

FOR ALL OF YOU addition
Now Playing: Lazy Farmer LP
Topic: Addition
FOR ALL OF YOU (NJ)
For All Of You 1974 (R.P.C. Z 78491)  [paste-on photo cover; 100p]
Essentially the work of one John Roll with support from various friends, this is one of the more interesting albums in the loner/downer '70s zone to surface of late -- primarily because it isn't really loner/downer at all! A slighty quirky and warm feel dominates as typical s-sw songs bring in mellow jazz moves mixed with a melodic sensibility. Communication 1, Philip Lewin's debut, or even Virgin Insanity spring to mind during the better tracks; best not to set the expectations too high, but this one's certainly worth checking out for the average private press aficionado. On RPC (aren't they all?), but with an unusual grey label design I haven't seen before. [PL]

...

thanks to Alexandre in France for suggesting this obscurity

T C Atlantic reissue
Now Playing: T C Atlantic
Topic: Minor change or comment

The self-titled Eva 'reissue' is in fact not really a reissue of the band's old live LP, as it adds several studio tracks (3 on each side) to the running order, making for a generous running time of 50+ minutes.

Almost all of the band's early non-LP 45 tracks have been added, but the tracks that were both on studio 45 and on the live LP appear only in their live versions. Most curious is that the band's unparalleled masterpiece, the mid-'66 proto-psych head swirler "Faces" is not included, while most other 45 tracks are. In all, the Eva collection presents a comprehensive picture of the band's early days as an above-average frat/blue-eyed soul band, in the typical unprocessed sound of the label. Completists still need to get some of the 45s to have all T C Atlantic recordings. Incidentally, the live recording may be authentic, at least it sounds like it. The Eva repro adds a small photo to the crude title sleeve design. The band's later 45s are not held in high regard, but I find both "Love Is Just" and the 2nd version of "Faces" to be worth hearing.

The Sound Of The Reign
Now Playing: Garage Punk Unknowns vol 8
Topic: Minor change or comment

A little more data has surfaced on this very rare, two-copies-known Fredlo custom press from the Midwest. First of all, the band seems to have been mainly Eastcoast kids enrolled at a Midwestern college, much like the Immigrants. Judging from a few soundclips, they have a late frat-rock sound with a typical club feel including organ, and they do mostly standards of the era. The risqué angle mentioned in the Acid Archives book would fit well for a band playing the Greek fraternities. Finally, although it would be tempting to refer to the band as simly the Reign, it appears clear that the band name is The Sound Of The Reign and nothing else -- and Reigned Out is the album title. The label gives a Duluth, MN address (Dylan's hometown) so we're going with a Minnesota locale for now.

Simpson & Heck
Now Playing: Ukraine-Sweden friendly, dull goalless draw
Topic: Addition

SIMPSON & HECK ( )

Simpson & Heck 1972  (no label)   [blank cover]

Rare christian folkrock title, highly rated by some. More info is appreciated.

Headstone (OH)
Now Playing: Madrigal
Topic: Minor change or comment
The classic Still Looking album by Headstone was pressed up in 2000 copies, according to a recent interview with a relation to the band. The three Flynn brothers who made up 3/4 of the band are all now deceased. In line with the blue collar underground vibe of Headstone, and many OH '70s classics, it seems they kept working factory shifts at GM throughout the band's career. There exists some unreleased recordings from 1976, following the album and the 1975 singles.

Last Call Of Shiloh cover
Now Playing: Alexander Shulgin 1987 lecture
Topic: Minor change or comment

The story behind the reproduced covers for Last Call Of Shiloh is this:

"These were actually second printed covers made from the original plates. We purchased the last of the original vinyl (some with covers without duct tape) and the original plates from the band in the late 1980s and as you state there were more LPs than covers. We printed the covers from the plates and sold them off through the '90s".

In other words, the repro covers were not "xeroxed" as is sometimes claimed. The original first press cover is slightly over sized and very flimsy.

Myke Jackson (Felt on Nasco)
Topic: Addition

We've had this one sitting up in the Attic, but the general buzz and obvious musical quality makes it a contender for the main Acid Archives.

MYKE JACKSON (AL)
Alone 1975 (Yi Yi 257275)
Jackson, formerly with the great Felt, plays all instruments on this album, which is good melodic 1970s rock with late '60s flashes. A worthy successor to the Felt LP, check it out if you can find it. Jackson later followed with the less exciting major label album Neon Rose, credited to ‘Mychael’ (RCA/Free Flight, 1978).

 

 

Free Enterprize
Now Playing: Fahrenheit Project vol 7
Topic: Minor change or comment

The FREE ENTERPRIZE album came with various hand-designed sleeves, the Acid Archives entry fails to point this out.

 

 

Sunshine on Album World, lots of new info
Topic: Entry data revision

SUNSHINE (Las Vegas, NV / Los Angeles, CA)
Makes My Day 1977 (Obregon/Album World AW 14017) [the last 2 tracks on side 2 are missing from most but not all copies] 

 

The Sunshine Makes My Day album on Obregon/Album World is probably the best LP on this infamous tax scam label, along with Ilian. Recently I was able to dig up some info on the sources for the music, which was released in 1977 under the fictious Sunshine band name.In actuality, half of the tracks come from two 45s released c1974 by a Las Vegas band called Skurow, who were under contract with London Records. The track titles and songwriting credits given on the Album World LP are correct, but the band name Skurow isnowhere mentioned. The four tracks range from good to excellent, and remind me of Felt and Homer in places. The 45 versions are identical to what's on the tax scam LP.

The other half of the Sunshine LP has songs credited to P Kachaturian -- this is  probably Philip Kachaturian, who wrote 7 songs for the original Gone In 60 Seconds movie soundtrack. You can hear his soundtrack songs on the net -- good stuff, not quite in the Sunshine LP style. There was never an official release of these soundtrack tunes, but curiously there exists an Album World tax-scam LP credited to Viva (see Acid Archives book) which seems to feature these very Kachaturian movie tunes. What's on side 2 of the Sunshine LP may simply be further outtakes or demos from this LA-based songwriter. In any event, there is a definite link between the Sunshine and Viva albums, beyond the label.

But that's not all. Some of the Skurow tracks on side 1 of Sunshine are part-credited to "G Kato". This is Gary Kato, who was in hit band the Merry-Go-Round with Emitt Rhodes, and later formed a band with ex-members of the Knack -- the '60s Knack from LA, not the "Sharona" dudes. Kato also performs on Rhodes' acclaimed American Dream album. After this, Gary Kato turned up in Pinkiny Canady, who had a very obscure LP release on UNI. And later still, Gary Kato became a member of the Skurow band in Las Vegas, named after band leader Ronnie Skurow. What's intriguing here is that there is also a link between Phil Kachaturian and Gary Kato, since one track on Sunshine is co-written by "G Kato-P Kachaturian". So while the tracks on the Sunshine album seemed to have been pulled from two (or more) completely different sources, there may still be some sort of connection between these sources.

I've been in contact with Ronnie Skurow, but apart from expressing surprise at the Sunshine album's existence, and recognizing the four songs on side 1 as his old 45 recordings, he had no additional info concerning Kato or Kachaturian. Someone else may want to take this further, not least since the music in question is quite good!

As a final twist, there are two different pressings of the Sunshine album, one of which contains only 3 songs on side 2, even if 5 songs are listed in the credits. It was believed that all copies were like that (not unusual with tax scams) but recently a Sunshine copy popped up that included the two missing songs on side 2 -- a loungey version of "When A Man Loves A Woman" and an odd latin rock number titled "Space Flying", both of which sound completely unlike the rest of the album. Thanks to James B for excavating and forwarding these two long lost numbers.

The dead wax markings for the copy I have without the last 2 songs reads as follows: ' 'IRDA/AW 14017-2 (MINUS LAST 2 CUTS-O.K.)'As mentioned above, a good story can probably be pieced together from the Skurow-Kato-Kachaturian connection. Hopefully someone will be able to find out more.

Negative Space background
Topic: Minor change or comment

An interview with main Space guy Rob Russen confirms all the basic data around the LP pressing as given in the Acid Archives book. It came out in May 1970, and the band played and even toured to promote it. The Castle label was a real label, formed by Russen's father, and had several releases in addition to the Negative Space LP.

See interview and plenty of vintage photos here:

http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2011/02/negative-space-my-interview-with-rob.html