Spirit - Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus is the Forth Album by the American Psychedelic-Rock Band Spirit.

This was the last Album by the original Line-Up of the Band, as as soon as the Album was released two of the founding Members left to form a Band called Jo Jo Gunne (Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes) and Ray California leaving for a while to pursue a Solo career. During the recording California fell from his horse and fractured his skull, resulting in a delay of several months, as he spent more than 1 month recovering at the hospital and another one at home. Even after all that he couldn't still work as he had before for a while. The Last Album is also considered to be the Bands best, overcoming their Debut, which is also regarded as one of the Bands best works, but which lacks the amazing songwriting and composition characteristics of Dr. Sardonicus. Mind you that this is a Conceptual Album, not telling a story, but with a main theme that is followed in every song. Our existence and its fragility. Spirit is one of the Best Bands of their age, and were extremely influential to today's Music.

Best Tracks - "Prelude - Nothin' To Hide", "Nature's Way", "Animal Zoo", "Love Has Found A Way", "Space Child", "When I Touch You" and "Street Worm". I don't know why i hadn't listened to Spirit since i posted their Debut. I truly don'y know why i did so. Well, it was a mistake and it is now corrected, as i will now listen to the two Albums between Dr. Sardonicus and Spirit.

Spirit:

- Mark Andes - Bass, Vocals.

- Randy California - Bass, Guitar, Vocals.

- Ed Cassidy - Percussion, Drums.

- Jay Ferguson - Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals.

- John Locke - Keyboards.

Them - Time Out! Time In For Them (1968)

Time Out! Time In For Them is the Second Album by the Northern Irish Psychedelic-Rock Band Them.

It was with Them that Van Morrison reached the International Circuit, as with the previous Band he had, the Monarchs, he only got to tour U.S. Military bases in Scotland, Germany and England. But after a dispute with Decca Records the Band broke-up (not before playing some concerts with The Doors as their openers and influencing a young Jim Morrison). In 1967, the remains of the Band, now without Morrison regrouped and left behind the R&B influences and as many Bands of the age they were extremely influenced by oriental sounds (Raga-Rock) and there is quite a lot of Sitars and such sounds on this Album. In America they quickly entered the West-Coast stream and settled in Los Angeles, where they were signed to the same Label where The Chocolate Watchband was also playing for, called Rev-Ola. Them would still release 3 more Albums, the last one Live, which have all been re-issued by both Rev-Ola and Fallout. Time Out! Time In For Them and their previous Record, Now And Them, still remain as the Bands best Post-Morrison Albums.

Best Tracks - "Time Out For Time In", "She Put A Hex On You", "Bent Over You", "Waltz Of The Flies", "Black Widow Spider", "Just On Conception" and "But It's Alright". This Album was a find! It is great Psychedelic rock played by excellent Musicians and with the right amount of Oriental Sounds. Jim Armstrong, especially, is one hell of a Guitarist and a Sitar Player.

Them:

- Kenny McDowell - Lead-Vocals.

- Alan Henderson - Bass.

- Jim Armstrong - Guitar, Sitar.

- Dave Harvey - Drums.

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John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - Bare Wires (1968)

Bare Wires is the Fifth and Final Album by the English Blues-Rock Band John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers.

By the time of the release of Bare Wires, on June 1968, John Mayall was done with the purist Blues phase, at least for now, and was ready to try to do something more in touch with the Sound of the Time. The Bluesbreakers were not the same. Peter Green, Keef Hartley and Andy Fraser had all been replaced when Bare Wires started to be recorded, all of them going for other musical directions, like Fleetwood Mac, which lead this Album to have an almost new Line-up. This continuos change of Band Members lead John Mayall to drop the Bluesbreakers moniker and start recording as a Solo artist, as right after the Band released this one, there were more desertions. Despite all this conflicts behind the scenes, this was the Band's best-selling Album and also John Mayall's best-seller ever. The Cover on this one is also very important, you can almost sense the changes on the Band's music just by looking at their Discography's Covers. Bare Wires Cover is a product of its time. The Photo is by Pete Smith and colored by Jan Persson.

Best Tracks - "Bare Wires - Suite", "I'm A Stranger", "No Reply", "Hartley Quits" and "Sandy". I listened this Album on a friend's house and heard it, start to finish, about 4 times in a row. It is a very interesting listen and advised to Blues fans.

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers:

- John Mayall – Vocals, Harmonica, Piano, Harpsichord, Organ, Harmonium, Guitar.

- Mick Taylor – Lead Guitar, Hawaiian Guitar.

- Chris Mercer – Tenor, Baritone Saxophone.

- Dick Heckstall-Smith – Tenor, Soprano Saxophone.

- Jon Hiseman – Drums, Percussion.

- Henry Lowther – Cornet, Violin.

- Tony Reeves – Bass.

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Quintessence - In Blissful Company (1969)

In Blissful Company is the Debut Album by the Psychedelic/Raga Rock Band Quintessence.

Quintessence was formed in April 1969 by the Flautist Raja Ram following and advertisement in the Music Magazine Melody Maker and an audition in an hall in Notting Hill. The six Members who formed the Band were all deeply involved with Indian Mysticism and Hinduism, but were also involved with Christianity and of course Buddhism who was, as you all know, very common amongst the Hippies. One of their first gigs in a Festival allowed them to be spotted by the just formed Island Records, getting them signed as one of the first Bands on the Label (along with Jethro Tull, Sandy Denny and Nick Drake). Their concerts were regarded as being very good, they often Jammed on-stage and brought local Hare-Krishna to sing chants with them, as their main goal when playing was to bring their audience into a Trance, much to what the Grateful Dead did when they played The Merry Pranksters Acid Tests. Their sound was a mesh of Jazz with a lot of Indian Influences and a lick of Progressive Rock and Psychedelia, with the use of Flute and Sitars which lead them to be very well regarded by the masses at the time.

Best Tracks - "Giants", "Manco Capac", "Body", "Gange Mai", Notting Hill Gate" and "Midnight Mode". A very interesting Album. I have been interested in the Indian-influenced Music lately and this Band was a great find. I will check out their other Albums (they still recorded 4 more Albums) and maybe in the future I will post another one by them.

Quintessence:

- Shiva Shankar Jones - Vocals, Keyboards.
- Raja Ram - Flutes, Bell, Percussion, Raspers.
- Alan Mostert - Lead Guitar.
- Maha Dev (Dave Codling) - Rhythm Guitar.
- Shambhu Baba (Bhava) - Bass.
- Jake Milton - Drums.
- Mike - Sitar.
- Surya - Tamboura.

Van Der Graaf Generator - Still Life (1976)

Still Life is the Sixth Album by the English Progressive Rock Band Van Der Graaf Generator.

Van Der Graaf Generator had a difficult run right singe their formation in 1967. They had multiple problems with Labels (specifically the Record Label Mercury), their manager, who was also a founder of the Label Charisma Records, failed to support the Band financially and to advertise them, and when they were getting started their gear was stolen. By 1972 they were threw of all this problems and called it a quit. Even so, they kept getting along with each other, even helping Peter Hammill to record his Solo Album. The Classic Line-up decided then that it was time to start recording again, and in 1975 they got together once again and in a period of 12 months were able to record 3 Albums heavily influenced not only by the Progressive sound but also by Classical music and Jazz, giving the Band a much darker sonority. The lyrics of Still Life are mostly about Humanity and its Psychological existence. Van Der Graaf's Tour in 1975 in Italy caused numerous riots and problems with the police, which for me is extremely important as i down-grade every Band that hasn't sparked a riot once on their career. Just another note before ending, the Albums recorded during this period of the Band were produced by themselves, which didn't happen in their earlier works.

Best Tracks - "Pilgrims", "La Rossa" and "My Room (Waiting For Wonderland)". I wanted to listen to Van Der Graaf Generator for a while, and when i decided to look for an Album to listen to, i chose this one simply because it had an awesome Cover (a Lichtenberg figure) and i choose Albums numerous times because their covers are fantastic. The Music however matched its interior, it is a great Album.

Van Der Graaf Generator:

- Peter Hammill – Vocals, Guitar, Piano.

- David Jackson– Saxophone, Flute.

- Hugh Banton - Organ, Bass, Mellotron, Piano.

- Guy Evans - Drums, Percussion.

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Sorry for no Albums, BUT... BOOKS!

So, i am sorry to the few if any followers in existence for not having posted anything for a while. This has a reason, i go through different phases all the time. The one i am on right now is listening to more music and uncovering new ones, so i will possibly post one Album this week, but don't expect much.

On the other note. I want more books. Specifically Books from the Beat Generation. I've gathered a long list of books i am going to obtain in the next times but would love to have people tell me which books i should definitively read. Take note that i do not need any books by Jack Kerouac or Burroughs to be recommended, but i would love if you could talk to me if you really feel it was such a great experience for you. I have indeed read Naked Lunch as most of you did, and a copy of Junky is arriving to my house in short time.

Also any good books on underground 60's, 70's music would be nice :)

RECOMMEND PLEEEEASE!

Sandy Denny - The North Star Grassman And The Ravens (1971)

The North Star Grassman And The Ravens is the Debut Solo Album by the English Folk Singer Sandy Denny.

Denny's Band Fotheringay had ended due to Joe Boyd's job change, and as such she needed a place where she could continue showing her Songwriting and Vocal capacities. This time however she wasn't going to go through the work of forming a new Band, but she would go Solo. Work on her Debut began in March 1971, and only came to an end in May, already in a different Studio. Two songs from Fotheringay were used (They were recording an Album when the Band was "forced" to end) as were two songs by Bob Dylan ("Down In The Flood" and "Let's Jump The Broomstick"), the rest of them being Denny's own Songs, written and composed by her alone. Initially John Wood was supposed to Produce the Album, and he even did some things, recommending her to use the arranger Harry Robinson, who had quite a hand on the Album, but in the end it was Denny who Produced it herself (Richard Thompson, from Fairport Convention also helped it the Producing).

Best Tracks - "Late November", "Blackwaterside", "John The Gun", "The Optimist", "Wretched Wilbur", "The North Star Grassman And The Ravens" and "Crazy Lady Blues". It is not the best Album by Sandy Denny, not even the Best Solo Album, but it stands as a great listen and it has some great songs on it, like "Blackwaterside" (I'm in love with this song, what can i do?). Denny's voice is without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest of the last century, and listening to her work his mandatory, and while most mandatory things are quite bad, this one is more than pleasant to oblige.

Sandy Denny (The North Star Grassman And The Ravens Personnel):

- Barry Dransfield - Back-Vocals, Violin.

- Buddy Emmons - Pedal Steel Guitar.

- Gerry Conway - Drums.

- Ian Whiteman - Piano, Flute, Organ.

- Jerry Donahue - Electric Guitar.

- Pat Donaldson - Bass.

- Richard Thompson - Accordion, Electric,Acoustic And 12-Sting Guitar, Bass, Vocals.

- Robin Dransfield - Back-Vocals.

- Roger Powell - Drums.

- Royston Wood - Back-Vocals.

- Sandy Denny - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano.

- Tony Reeves - Bass.

- Trevor Lucas - Acoustic Guitar, Back-Vocals.

Dando Shaft - An Evening With Dando Shaft (1970)

An Evening With Dando Shaft is the Debut Album by the British Psychedelic/Progressive Folk Band Dando Shaft.

Dando Shaft formed in 1968 in Coventry, England, taking their name from a 1965 Book by Don Calhoun with the same name. The Band started as a Quintet, later adding a Sixth Member in 1970. For two years Dando Shaft played in Local English venues until being contacted by the Young Blood Records Label and getting a record contract with them. As soon as they got it, they started preparing their First Album, an entirely Acoustic (No electric instruments were used) Folk Album, focusing in the relationship of Man with Nature. When An Evening With Dando Shaft was released in 1970, they were immediately compared with another Folk-Revival Band which most of you know, Pentangle (the comparisons would increase when they added a Female Vocalist to their Band as Pentangle have Jacqui McShee as their Lead-Singer). Dando Shaft were however much more Folk oriented than Pentangle, at least in this Album, as they would implement a lot of Jazz in their next 2 Albums.

Best Tracks - "Rain", "Cold Wind", "September Wine", "In The Country", "End Of The Game" and "Lazily Slowly". It is a great Album, and everyone who likes the British Folk-Revival should check this one out. They are fantastic musicians and they composed amazing songs. I am definitively going to check their other 2 Albums, so expect them to be posted here in a near future. Enjoy!

Dando Shaft:

- Ted Kay - Percussion.

- Dave Cooper - Vocals, Guitar.

- Kevin Dempsey - Bass, Guitar, Vocals.

- Martin Jenkins - Flute, Mandolin, Violin, Vocals.

- Roger Bullen - Bass.

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Alan Hull - Pipedream (1973)

Pipedream is the Debut Solo Album by the English Folk-Rock Singer Alan Hull.

Alan Hull started his musical career in a Band called The Chosen Few alongside Mick Gallagher in 1962. He was working as a nurse in a mental hospital to support himself through this times. In 1968 he joined The Downtown Faction which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970, when they released their Debut. It was with Lindisfarne that he came to prominence, as the main contributor in terms of Songwriting and being one of the Lead-Vocalists, he was regarded by everybody as the leader of the Band, and as the Band was receiving loads of attention, getting their Album on the Top 10, he became a notorious musical figure at the time. By the time of their Third Album, Dingly Dell, he became dissatisfied with the Band and together with the other Lead-Vocalist of the Band, Ray "Jacka" Jackson, made a complete re-formation. That very same year, 1973, Alan Hull released his Debut Album, Pipedream, shortly after the Original Line-Up collapsed, featuring Band Members from the First and Second generation of Lindisfarne Musicians. Pipedream is mostly a reclusive Album, talking about his personal life and experiences.

Best Tracks - "Breakfast", "Just Another Sad Song", "Money Game", "United States Of Mind", "Country Gentleman's Wife", "Song For A Windmill" and "Blue Murder". I was quite impressed with Pipedream, more than i was expecting. I must say that I have an irrational fear of Solo Albums, and i always expect them to be weaker than Band Albums, I am not sure why this happens. Nonetheless this was a great experience and I recommend anyone interested in British Folk-Rock should listen to this fantastic Album. The Cover-Art is just amazing, a painting by René Magritte, where a man is smoking his own nose. Great choice.

Alan Hull (Pipedream Personnel):

- Alan Hull - Lead-Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Harmonium.

- John Turnbull - Guitar.

- Colin Gibson - Bass.

- Ken Craddock - Piano, Organ, Harmonium, Electric Piano, Guitar.

- Ray Laidlaw - Drums.

- Ray Jackson - Harp, Mandolin, Vocals.

- Dave Brooks - Saxophone.

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