Rock Archeologia

Crystal Syphon - Family Evil 1967-68 (2012 Roaratorio)

Band: Crystal Syphon
Album: Family Evil 1967-68
Label: Roaratorio
Catalog: CarbonDist ROAR25
Country: US
Genre: Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Total Time: 00:47:05

• В середине 60-х в калифорнийском городке Merced братья Сандерс, находившиеся под большим влиянием музыки Beatles и Byrds, организовали группу The Morlochs. После ряда изменений в составе в 1966 году группа сменила название на Crystal Syphon и переехала в Сан Франциско. Здесь они стали заметной частью местной психоделической сцены, выступая рядом с The New Tweedy Brothers и Quicksilver Messenger Service. Несколько крупных лейблов выразили серьезную заинтересованность в подписании Crystal Syphon, однако музыканты настаивали на полной творческой независимости, что не устраивало лейблы. В начале 70-х группа распалась, так и не выпустив ни одного альбома, ее участники разбрелись по другим проектам. Только в 2012 году Roaratorio выпустили LP Crystal Syphon, куда вошли их студийные демо записи 67-68 годов и записи выступлений в Fillmore West.

• Obscure suburban California band that admirably showcases the best of what San Fran psych has to offer. Minor key songs with tight-yet-twirling fuzz breaks. Sweet & sad 4 part vocal harmonies that make it seem like everyone is on quaaludes. Trippy but heartfelt lyrics (they're rather John Sebastian-y) that remind why hippiedom might've ever seemed a good idea in the first place. Band gigged around small towns, Fresno, Oakland, & made it to the Fillmore. Their sincerity & work ethics made their music less goofy than some far more famous bands, but that same unwillingness to leave school & their parents houses long enough to get a label deal kept 'em in the small time.

• Crystal Syphon, one of the greatest "lost" groups of the West Coast psych scene, came together in Merced, California in 1965. Originally a Beatles / Byrds-influenced unit called the Morlochs, they soon shed their original moniker and moved in a more psychedelic direction, becoming a fixture on the ballroom circuit from 1966-1970. Although their music may nod in the direction of the New Tweedy Brothers and Quicksilver Messenger Service at times, it's imbued throughout with a distinctive sound that arose from practicing up to six nights a week. The band entertained offers from various labels during their existence, but as they insisted on complete artistic control and ownership of their music, no deals were struck.
• Now, some 44 years after its creation, Roaratorio is proud to make the music of Crystal Syphon available for the first time ever. Drawn from studio tracks, rehearsal tapes and a live recording from the Fillmore West, Family Evil is released in an edition of 500 copies, with cover art by Norman Orr and extensive historical liner notes in an old-style "tip-on" jacket.
• 8/10 : "...unlike many of the scene's almost-rans, Crystal Syphon had great songs on their side, borrowing the best moves from primitivist garage energy, adding the glass-spun guitars and the warp and weft harmonies of The Byrds, and then dosing further with just the right amount of psychedelics. Particularly staggering are several longer cuts, like "Fuzzy And Jose" and the live "Winter Is Cold," where the quintet stretch the songs with sinuous organ and needlepoint guitar solos that are period-piece perfect." - Jon Dale, Uncut

  • Side A:
1. Marcy Your Eyes 03:36
2. Paradise 03:08
3. Have ore of Everything 02:52
4. Try Something Different 03:42
5. Fuzzy and Jose 07:33
  • Side B:
1. Are You Dead Yet 02:17
2. In My Mind 02:43
3. Family Evil 05:41
4. Fails to Shine 05:46
5. Winter Is Cold 07:01

Members:

Jim Sanders, Tom Salles - Vocal, Guitar
Jeff Sanders, Dave Sprinkel - Vocals, Organ, Percussion
Bob Greenlee - Bass guitar
Andy Daniel, Marvin Greenlee - Drums

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