Val Stoecklein - Grey Life (1968 DOT Records) 

Artist: Val Stoecklein
Album: Grey Life
Label: DOT Records
Catalog #: DLP 25904
Format: LP, Vinyl
Released: 1968
Country: US
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Duration: 00:36:10

• Если говорить объективно, то это весьма типичный для конца 60-х альбом. Вэл поет свои песни и аккомпанирует себе на гитаре. С этим материалом потом работает аранжировщик, заворачивает конфетку в фантик, и получается, если так можно выразиться, поп-фолк. Но дело в том, что, не смотря на одинаковый подход к созданию альбомов, у всех сингеров получалась совершенно разная музыка. И тому есть только одно объяснение - талант, дар Божий.
• Valerian Richard Stecklein (изначально буква "o" в фамилии отсутствовала) этим даром безусловно обладал. Чрезвычайно стеснительный, но открытый в песнях, Вэл, в этом альбоме, совсем не похож на себя в юности, когда он лихо зажигал в группе The Blue Things. Однако ЛСД, алкоголь и маниакально-депрессивный синдром привели его в клинику, и группу пришлось покинуть. После длительного лечения был записан альбом Grey Life.
• Не смотря на радостную атмосферу, царившую в студии во время записи этого альбома, и на предчувствие скорого успеха, странный характер Вэла дал о себе знать. Он не захотел или попросту не смог дать ни одного концерта в поддержку пластинки. Новый виток его карьеры завершился в самом начале. И он исчез... Исчез, но продолжал сочинять и периодически делал попытки вернуться, но в последний момент словно чья-то невидимая рука отдергивала его от двери в мир музыки. По всей видимости та же самая рука одним майским утром 1993 года подтолкнула его к другой двери. Двери, которая открыта всегда и для всех и в которую даже не нужно биться, расшибая кулаки в кровь. Ему было 52 года...

• In 1968, Val Stoecklein -- former leader of the Blue Things -- turned inward for a morosely introspective folk-rock solo LP, Grey Life. The album, released on the Dot label, did not sit well with critics, one of whom described it as sounding "like a warmed-over cup of Glen Campbell soup." The reviewer couldn't have been more correct. It's clumsily orchestrated and woefully too self-indulgent, and Stoecklein's remakes of his own Blue Things songs are appallingly banal, especially when compared with the originals. Dot issued two singles from the album, but radio couldn't or wouldn't help promote its release. Stoecklein continued to record, with uneven results. Environment (1970) was a melodic folk-rock concept album credited to a new group called Ecology (released on the Happy Tiger label). Truth of Truths (1971) was even more bizarre. The double album -- a "contemporary rock opera" with a Christian theme running from "creation to the second coming" (a la Jesus Christ Superstar) -- came with a 20-page booklet and boasted 26 songs, including a handful of prog/psych overtures with fuzzy guitars and thunderific drumming. Perhaps the most bizarre element, however, was that fact that Jim Backus (the voice of the animated Mr. Magoo character and Mr. Howell on TV's Gilligan's Island sitcom) was cast as the voice of God. Stoecklein, who struggled with depression, took his own life in May 1993. - Bryan Thomas

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 • Side One:
A1. Say It's Not Over - 05:05
A2. Now's The Time - 02:42
A3. I Can't Have Yesterday - 02:45
A4. Color Her Blue - 03:26
A5. French Girl Affair - 03:30

 • Side Two:
B1. Morning Child - 03:09
B2. Possibility I Was Wrong - 02:56
B3. Seven Days Away From You - 03:04
B4. Sounds Of Yesterday - 02:47
B5. I'll Make It Up To You - 02:54
B6. Second Ending - 03:52
 

Credits:
Larry Cox - Engineer
Rod Dyer - Photography
Nat Freedland - Liner Notes
Val Stoecklein - Guitar (12 String), Primary Artist
Dick Hieronymus - Arranger
Jim Hilton - Engineer
Ray Ruff - Producer

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Farmyard - Looking For A Place 1970-71 (1991) 

Artist: Farmyard
Album: Looking For A Place
Label: Little Wing Of Refugees
Catalog#: LW 4016/17
Format: 2 LP, Compilation, Limited Edition
Country: Germany
Released: 1991
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Prog Rock
Format: FLAC (tracks+.cue)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 01:11:02

• Если есть исполнители, которых приятно слушать при любом настроении, то новозеландский октет Farmyard хорошо подходит под состояние лёгкой грусти, особенно когда переживаешь по поводу того, что летний сельскохозяйственный период скоро закончится. Говорят, что их изделие можно поставить на полку рядом с альбомами The Relics, Tom Thumb, Arkastra, Redeye. Мне же они показались даже более интересными, в меру психоделическими, слегка прифанкованными, умиротворяющими, технически более разнообразными: частенько в дело вступают саксофон и флейта, кое-где вкрадчиво нашёптывает ксилофон, тренькает акустическая гитара, пульсируют бонги. Группа образовалась в Веллингтоне в 1970 г. и просуществовала очень короткое время – по 1971 год. В состав Farmyard изначально входили Rick White (ритм-гитара, вокал, ранее отметился в составах Relics и Tom Thumb), Tom Swainson (ударные, после распада группы играл в Arkastra и Redeye ), Milton Parker (ведущая гитара), Andy Stevens (саксофон), Paul Curtis (бас-гитара). После ухода Рика Уайта его сменил Bernard Lee (гитара, вокал). Одноимённый дебютный альбом Farmyard стал настолько популярен в Новой Зеландии, что была выпущена даже пластиковая сумка с постером группы. Второй альбом "Back To Fronting" (1971), думаю, был не хуже первого. Оба творения новозеландцев были переизданы в 1991 г. фирмой "Little Wing" в виде двойного альбома и под общим названием "Looking For A Place". - VaTaga

• Farmyard were a Wellington group who were around only for a short time from 1970 to 1971. Rick White, previously of the Relics and Tom Thumb, started with the group but was later replaced by Bernard Lee. Their first single for Polydor in 1970 was "Learnin' 'bout Living"/"Da Woirks". It was successful enough to gain entry in to the 1971 Loxene Gold Disk Awards. A self-titled album was also released and came in a plastic bag with a poster. A second single "Nothing's Happening Here"/"Me, The Dog, Ma And Dear Ol' Dad" also came out in 1970 and was included on their second album called "Back To Fronting" released in 1971. Their third and last single was "Which Way Confusion Part 1"/"Which Way Confusion Part 2", taken from their first album and appeared during 1971. Both of their albums were repackaged in 1991 into a double album called "Looking For A Place" on the Little Wing label. That album appears below. After Farmyard disbanded, Tom Swainson joined Wellington underground band Arkastra in February 1972, and Redeye in 1976.

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 • Disc One: Farmyard
A1. Those Days Are Gone - 04:28
A2. Through My Window - 07:50
A3. Which Way Confusion (Part 1) - 04:39
A4. Which Way Confusion (Part 2) - 02:51
B1. Learnin 'bout Livin - 03:18
B2. Tha Woirks - 02:56
B3. I Sit Alone - 09:53

 • Disc Two: Back To Fronting
C1. All In Your Head - 05:26
C2. Me The Dog Ma And Dear Old Dad - 02:38
C3. Nothing Happening Here - 05:10
C4. Too Much Wrong - 03:56
D1. Feeling Pretty Good - 03:37
D2. Fantasia. New Road - 05:48
D3. Looking For A Place - 08:26

    Collage Artwork and Painting– Helga Sulzle
    Photography By (Sleeve) – Refugees
    Reissue Producer – Gary Chapman, Refugees
 

Members:
Rick White - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Tom Swainson - Drums
Milton Parker - Lead Guitar
Andy Stevens - Saxophone
Paul Curtis - Bass Guitar

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Wild Thing, The - Partyin' (1969) 

Artist: Wild Thing, The
Album: Partyin'
Label: Elektra Records
Catalog#: EKS 74059
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Duration: 00:39:47

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 • Side One:
A1. A1. Born To Be Wild  03:14
A2. Hold On I'm Coming  02:54
A3. Magic Carpet Ride 02:10
A4. In The Midnight Hour  02:34
A5. Good Lovin'  01:50
A6. Mustang Sally  03:24
A7. Revolution 03:22 
 • Side Two:
B1. In A Gadda-Da-Vida  02:49
B2. My Girl  02:46
B3. Sooky - Sooky  02:58
B4. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy  02:51
B5. Born On The Bayou  02:49
B6. Knock On Wood  03:09
B7. Wild Thing 02:49

 

Musicians:
Drums – Dennis Iannitelli
Guitar – Poncho Vidal
Vocals, Bass – Patrick Mitchell
Vocals, Organ, Guitar – Jesse P. Brock

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Arizona - Low Down (1977) 

Artist: Arizona
Album: Low Down
Label: RCA Victor
Catalog#: PL 25103
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul, Pop
Duration: 00:37:31

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 • Side One:
A1. Low Down Music 03:33
A2. Like Can Turn To Love 03:57
A3. Got No Business 03:34
A4. Windwishin' 04:54
A5. Music Ship 03:13
 • Side Two:
B1. Aberration 04:21
B2. Go Down Town 03:48
B3. Love Take Over 03:17
B4. Play A Little Music 03:21
B5. Don't Let It Get You Down 03:28

 

Musicians:
Mary Dobbins - Vocals
Ken Ashby, Willie Knowles - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Doug Holzwarth - Keyboards
Bob Huff - Vocals, Electric Guitar
Pat Murphy - Bass, Vocals
Pete Kuch - Drums, Percussion

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Winkies, The - The Winkies (1975 Chrysalis) Vinyl-rip 

Artist: The Winkies
Album: The Winkies
Label: Chrysalis Records
Catalog#: CHR.1066
Released: 1975
Country: UK
Genre: Rock, Psychedelic, Pop Rock
Format: FLAC (track+.cue)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:43:22

• The Winkies were probably six months late in cutting and releasing their debut album -- six months, and one set of sessions. The news, earlier in 1974, that they were in the studio with Brian Eno was greeted with wild enthusiasm and anticipation; the collapse of those sessions, and Eno's replacement with Guy Stevens, somewhat less so. Far from the maverick icon which his posthumous reputation canonizes, Stevens' mid-1970s reputation owed more to his unreliability than his knob-twiddling skills, and it was no surprise whatsoever when The Winkies finally arrived, bearing more in common with the pre-fame Mott the Hoople (of course, Stevens' last major project) than the glorious glam pub hybrid which the band had hitherto nurtured. But time has done The Winkies considerably more favors than contemporary critics ever did. It does still sound like vintage Mott, but that's something to be celebrated now -- imagine if Ian Hunter and Co. had not gone off with Bowie following 1971's madcap Brain Capers album, but if Ariel Bender had joined the group regardless. The Winkies is edgy urban rock, as distinctly Dylan influenced as its role model (there's even a cover of "It Takes a Lot to Laugh"), but shot through with Philip Rambow's chiming, scything guitars and strained, emotional vocals. There're hints of the Heavy Metal Kids in the mix, and that's a grand thing as well -- side by side, their debut and The Winkies illuminate the future direction of British street rock as brightly as any other period albums you could name. True to the pub rock template, there are occasional glances towards beery country ("North to Alaska"), and a nod towards heartland Americana (Bob Seger's "Long Song Comin'"). But the heart of The Winkies is carved out between Rambow's slow-burning "Red Dog" and Guy Humphreys' "Put Out The Light," tough blues stompers with a Stones-y grind and an enviably dissolute lurch. And then there's "Davey's Blowtorch," a Rambow cut which swaggers like the New York Dolls and caused rampant confusion in the archaeological ranks when it was selected to represent The Winkies on the Naughty Rhythms pub rock anthology. While everyone else was doing the greasy boogie shuffle, here come The Winkies sounding sexy as your sister. In a way, the mid-1970s critics were right. The Winkies isn't the album it could have been; may not be the record it should have been. But all that really means is, the band didn't trot obediently off down the path they were meant to and looked instead to their own needs and instincts. The future would thank them for their indulgence. - Dave Thompson

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 • Side One:
A1. Trust In Dick - 03:39
A2. Mailman - It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry - 04:11
A3. Put Out The Light - 04:57
A4. Twilight Masquerade - 05:43
A5. North To Alaska - 02:55
 • Side Two:
B1. Out On The Run - 04:31
B2. Wild Open Spaces - 04:05
B3. Long Song Coming - 04:08
B4. Davey's Blowtorch - 03:22
B5. Red Dog - 05:00

 

Band Members:
Michael Desmarais - Drums
Guy Humphrys - Guitars, Vocals, Back Vocals
Brian Turrington - Banjo, Bass, Back Vocals
Philip Rambow - Guitars, Vocals

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The Marshall Tucker Band - Beyond The Horizon (2004) 

Artist: Marshall Tucker Band
Album: Beyond The Horizon
Label: Shout! Factory/Ramblin
Catalog: 37484
Release Date: May 11, 2004
Producer: Doug Gray; Doug Gray
Engineer: Buddy Strong
Genre: Pop/Rock
Styles: Boogie Rock, Southern Rock
Format/Bitrate: FLAC (track+.cue+log)
Recording Time: 00:47:02

• The core of the Marshall Tucker Band's sound had historically been Toy Caldwell's guitar and Doug Gray's voice. The band has been through many permutations and Caldwell has since passed on, but Gray and a core of members, including horn boss David Muse (formerly of Firefall) and guitarist Stuart Swanlund, have been carrying the torch for a while now. With second lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chris Hicks, bassist Tony Heatherly, and drummer B.B. Borden, Marshall Tucker is in its fourth decade as a recording and touring entity. What's amazing is that the unit consistently comes up with compelling new material and hits the charts once in a while. In other words, this is not some jive revivalist move to make some quick cash before fading into oblivion. Beyond the Horizon offers 12 new tracks that rely heavily on the open Southern groove that was at the heart of the Tuckers' mature sound. Elements of soul, blues, and jazz blend seamlessly in the tracks "Ride of Your Life," Caldwell's "Texas on My Mind," the slippery Americana of "Into Your Eyes," and the swampy "King of the Delta Blues," which evokes memories of "Can't You See" in both chord structure and guitar attack. The band can still really rock it up when it wants to as well, as evidenced by the smoking strut in "Set You Free," the rootsy country of "Angel (With a Honky Tonk Heart)," and "The Rain." Marshall Tucker was always more musically adventurous than any of their rowdier peers. Besides the Allmans, they were the only other band of the "Southern rock" ilk that could play with as much texture, style, and sheer aplomb. Beyond the Horizon is a worthy installment in the band's continued history. - Thom Jurek

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 • Tracklist:

01. Ride Of Your Life See All 2 - 4:31
02. Give It All You've Got - 3:28
03. Texas on My Mind See All 2 - 4:01
04. Beyond the horizon - 4:08
05. Into Your Eyes - 3:21
06. King of the Delta Blues - 5:08
07. Set You Free - 1:59
08. Rain - 5:09
09. Angel (With a Honky Tonk Heart) - 5:09
10. Midnight Promises - 6:23
11. Never Find Another You - 3:49
12. Down This Road Before, Pt.1 - 0:33
 

Musicians:
Doug Gray - background vocals
David Muse - mandolin, flute, woodwinds, saxophone, horns, organ, keyboards, back vocals
Barry "B.B. Queen" Borden - drums
Chris Hicks - vocals, guitar
Dave Muse - mandolin, woodwinds, horns, keyboards, back vocals
Keith Glenn - cowbells
Stuart Swanlund - vocals, guitar, electric guitar
Tony "Ray" Heatherly - background vocals

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Marshall Tucker Band - Still Smokin' (1992) 

Artist: Marshall Tucker Band
Album: Still Smokin'
Label: Beyond/Ramblin' Records
Catalog#: 398 578 236-2
Release Date 1992
Country: US
Genre: Pop/Rock
Styles: Boogie Rock, Southern Rock
Format: FLAC (track+.cue)
Bitrate: lossless
Duration: 00:37:42

• Released in 1992, Still Smokin was the first of two CDs the band released on the Cabin Fever music label, and it marked the first time that Cabin Fever ventured into the music industry. Previously they were known for their video tape releases, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's Tribute Tour and the 500 Home Run Club. The CD has been reissued by Doug's label, Ramblin Records.
• The CD opens with "Frontline," an upbeat tune with a catchy Rusty Milner guitar riff, followed by Jerrry Eubank's searing sax. With Don Cameron's piano, Milner's guitar, and Eubank's sax, this song is a classic Marshall Tucker tribute to those willing to take a stand, on the frontline. The second cut, "Two Hearts Falling" is a poignant love song written by Tim Lawter and Doug Gray.
• "Tan Yard" is an upbeat romp about "a dirt road where people seldom go" and of "stories left untold." In the promotional single released by the band, Doug reminisces about the road back home in Spartanburg that inspired the song. Jerry plays a haunting flute and Stuart grooves down the road with his slide guitar. Ace Allen's drums and Rusty's guitar are at their best. The band also created a video for the documentary, "Then and Now".
• "Full Moon Rising" is a bluesy jaunt about lost love, with Jerry's sax, a horn section, and Cameron's keyboard. This song takes a journey back to the days of big band, when swing was king.
"Carolina Party" features the band at its raucous best and kicks off with a groovy bass line provided by Tim, followed closely with a rip-roaring horn section that makes you want to get up and dance. Stuart solos on slide, Don plays the organ and Jerry is at his saxiest best.
• "I Love You" slows the pace on Still Smokin. As a tender ballad, this song begins with simple acoustic guitars and builds to a crescendo with piano, electric guitar, and Doug Gray at his soulful best. Interestingly, this song was written by Gray, Milner, and the late Tommy Caldwell.
• Countering "I Love You" is a Gray/Milner arrangement, "Can't Take It Anymore." It seeths with frustration and boogies with the blues. Eubanks' groovin' sax, Gray's searing vocals, along with Milner's bluesy guitar make this one of the highlights of the release.
• "Driving You Out Of My Mind" is a forlorn country tune with a steel guitar that winds down the highway as its lost lover reminisces about a romance that is no more. Released both as a single and a video to country music formats, CMT gave the video considerable air time and re-introduced a generation of fans to the Marshall Tucker Band.
• Without a doubt, "Southern Spirit " is a classic Tucker tune. Relentless from its beginning, "Southern Spirit" jumps in your face with Cameron's rising organ and Stuart's funky slide guitar. A classic piano solo by Don will get you on your feet instantly. The song asks the question "people can you feel it shakin up the floor" and goes on to say that "your whole world will be rockin' when that southern spirit comes to town". Anyone who knows the band realizes this is an understatement.
• The CD concludes with the bluesy and soulful "Let Me Come Home." It's obvious Doug loves to wrap his vocals around a slow blues tune such as this. Jerry and Rusty trade off smoky solos as Don tickles the keyboards, and David's brush on the drums adds just the perfect touch. This album is definitive Marshall Tucker. The new generation of players carries on the Southern Spirit with integrity and pride and proves that after all these years the band is Still Smokin. Doug and Jerry should be proud! - Craig Cumberland

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 • Tracklist:

01. Frontline (Don Cameron/Rusty Milner) - 04:04
02. Two Hearts Fallen (Tim Lawter/Doug Gray) - 03:32
03. Tan Yard Road (Rusty Milner/Jerry Eubanks) - 04:09
04. Full Moon Rising (Nich Pugliese) - 03:11
05. Carolina Party (Doug Gray/Rusty Milner) - 02:54
06. I Love You (Doug Gray/Rusty Milner/Tommy Caldwell) - 04:07
07. Can't Take It Anymore (Doug Gray/Rusty Milner) - 04:42
08. Driving You Out of My Mind (Tim Lawter) - 04:06
09. Southern Spirit (Don Cameron) - 03:48
10. Let Me Come Home (Rusty Milner) - 03:09

   Richard B. Allen - Art Direction
   Brian Gerstner - Assistant Engineer
   D. Hall - Art Direction, Producer, Production Art
   D.R. Goff - Photography 
 

Musicians:
David "Ace" Allen - Drums
Cynthia Blair - Back Vocals
John David Call - Guitar (Steel)
Donald Cameron - Keyboards, Back Vocals
Jeff Ciampa - Bass
Jerry Eubanks - Flute, Producer, Saxophone, Back Vocals
Donal Gray, Doug Gray - Vocals
Tim Lawter - Bass, Back Vocals
Rusty Milner - Guitar, Back Vocals
Stuart Swanlund - Guitars, Back Vocals

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Delta Merchant, The - Switched On Blues (1971) 

Artist: Delta Merchant, The
Album: Switched On Blues
Label: Vogue Records
Catalog#: LDVS 17256
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: Germany
Released: 1971
Genre: Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Soul
Duration: 00:35:34

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 • Side One:
A1. Slip Away 02:38 
A2. Funky Broadway 03:12
A3. Soul Man 02:28
A4. Midnight Hour 02:30
A5. Chain Of Fools 02:54
A6. Son Of A Preacher Man 02:38
 • Side Two:
B1. Hold On, I?m Coming 02:53  
B2. See Saw 02:37
B3. Drown In My Own Tears 04:21
B4. After Hours 03:06
B5. What'd I Say 02:46
B6. Rainin' In My Heart 03:27

    Recording Engineer - Mike Lancaster
    Produced by Larry Eades
    Arranged by Larry Nichols
    Album Cover Design: by Aesthetics inc. 

 

Musicians:
Moog and Keyboard - Larry Nichols
Guitar - Johnny Wigmton
The Late Wayne Reynolds - Bass on "What'd I Say", & "Raining in My Heart"
Ronald Twitty - Lead Guitar on "Son of a Preacher Man"
Drums - Jimmy Morgan
Bass - Ronald Twitty

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Elyse Weinberg (Cori Bishop) - Elyse (1968) 

Artist: Elyse Weinberg
Album: Elyse
Label: Tetragrammaton Records
Catalog#: T-117
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: Folk, World, & Country, Rock
Duration: 00:32:04

• Канадская певица, музыкант (известная также как Elyse Weinberg) родилась в Торонто (настоящее имя Cori Bishop). Переехав в Лос-Анджелес, в 1968 году она записала одноименный альбом на лейбле Tetragrammaton Билла Косби. Альбом сыгран в стиле фолк-рока с легким налетом психоделии (тема "Deed I Do" записана с участием ситара), сопровождаемый хрипловатым вокалом Элиз, подобно вокалу Дженис Джоплин, Мелиссы Этеридж или Джони Митчелл. В записи альбома поучаствовал Нейл Янг. Альбом получил заслуженные похвалы в музыкальных кругах, певица приняла участие в шоу Джонни Карсона (The Johnny Carson Show), однако дальнейшая музыкальная карьера Элиз растворилась в истории. Лишь в 2009 году Элиз выпустила второй за более чем 40 лет альбом "In My Own Sweet Time".

• Picked up for reissue in 2001 by Orange Twin Records and earmarked as a rediscovered psych-pop classic, this long-overlooked record is primarily composed of quietly plucked acoustic guitars, overlain with Elyse's Elyse Weinberg's hearty vocals, which bear some resemblance to other endearingly hoarse-voiced performers like Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge, and her fellow Toronto contemporary, Joni Mitchell. The air of psychedelia is fairly faint, springing up in the mystical traces of sitars that appear in songs like "Deed I Do" and in lyrics that refer to lovers with names like Sir John Velveteen. In its day, sometime in 1968, the record drew praise from many circles and even earned Elyse a spot on The Johnny Carson Show. However, subsequent records were left unreleased and Elyse faded into history. Elyse is lo-fi, in that the record itself is fairly straightforward musically and that, while the release is on CD, one can hear the crackle and hiss of vinyl, perhaps indicating that this reissue was not remastered from the original. However, given the tone of the music, the low-level record noises are a positive thing, adding to the overall feel of this record's vintage status. The quiet acoustics take a back-seat on "Spirit of the Letter," which is a full-on rock song, and somewhat surprisingly, largely better than many of the quieter songs. Perhaps the record's most noteworthy track is "Houses," a gorgeous song about the impossibility of trading places; beautiful on its own, its brilliance is amplified by featured guest Neil Young. The album-closer "What You Call It," and in some ways the album as a whole, brings to mind the longing tone of Jeremy Enigk's sans Sunny Day Real Estate effort, Return of the Frog Queen. - Karen E. Graves

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 • Side One:
A1. Band Of Thieves 02:28
A2. Deed I Do 02:53
A3. Iron Works 02:53
A4. Spirit Of The Letter 02:22
A5. Here In My Heart (Underneath The Spreading Chestnut Tree) 03:12
A6. Last Ditch Protocol 02:46
 • Side Two:
B1. Sweet Pounding Rhythm 02:38
B2. Meet Me At The Station 02:30
B3. Simpleminded Harlequin 02:22
B4. Painted Raven 01:20
B5. Mortuary Bound 03:26
B6. If Death Don't Overtake Me 04:25

 

Credits:
Arranged By – Don Gallucci, Jeremy Stewart
Guitar, Twelve-string Guitar (Six And Twelve String), Vocals – Elyse J. Weinberg
Jew's Harp (Mouth & Haurp), Artwork By (Printing) – Brent
Performer (Basic Tracks) – Band Of Thieves
Producer – Gene Shiveley
Sitar, Tabla – Colin Walcott
Spoons, Illustration (Drawing) – Maureen

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Michaele Jordana - Romance At The Roxy (1980) 

Artist: Michaele Jordana
Album: Romance At The Roxy
Label: Attic Records
Catalog#: LAT 1101
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Country: Canada
Released: 1980
Genre: Rock, Punk
Duration: 00:38:22

• Michaele Jordana Berman всегда была склонна к музыке, хотя и начала свой творческий путь как художник. Родом из Виннипега, она переехала в Торонто после получения степени бакалавра изобразительных искусств в Университете Manitoba, решив стать художником. Мишель дебютировала со своей персональной выставкой в зале Isaacs Gallery осенью 1976 года с серией портретов убитых китов, вдохновлённой поездкой в Арктику. Поле для размещения её картин быстро расширилось и вскоре частные коллекционеры соперничали, чтобы заполучить эти работы, а некоторые из них даже попали в Национальную галерею Канады.
• Берман продолжает заниматься живописью в течение следующих нескольких лет, к этому также добавляется и увлечение фотографией, а затем её захватила постановка мультимедийных спектаклей, в чём ей активно помогал тогдашний бойфренд Doug Pringle, экс-участник прог-электронной группы Syrinx. Один из этих спектаклей, "The Rites Оf Nuliajuk", тоже основан на событиях её время провождения в Арктике и был показан на площадках Robert McLaughlin Gallery в Оттаве, Innis College в Торонто и Университета Waterloo, при этом на сцене сооружался настоящий лёд из твёрдых блоков.
• Тогда же со своим другом они стали задумываться о создании нового музыкального проекта, отличающегося от синтезаторного саунда Syrinx и более склонного к стилям power punk и new wave. Так была сформирована группа The Poles, быстро проявившая себя на музыкальной сцене Торонто и совершившая несколько выступлений в Нью-Йорке с подобными ей The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Stooges и Devo. Однако, у группы вышел только один сингл "C.N. Tower" / "Prime Time" в 1978 году, но песня о достопримечательности Торонто (башне Си-Эн Та́уэр) стала хитом и некоторыми музыкальными критиками считается одной из лучших, когда-либо появившихся в этой местности.
• После подписания контракта с Attic Records группа The Poles была трансформирована в коллектив, содействующий записи сольного проекта Джорданы в new wave-стиле. С продюсерами, коими выступили Прингл и Jimmy Frank, альбом ROMANCE AT THE ROXY был выпущен в 1980 году. Он содержал, в частности, ставший местным хитом и вошедший в топ-40 кавер на песню Элиса Купера "I'm Eighteen", а также критикуемые рецензентами "Hologram Man", "X-Ray Robot", "No Time" (старый номер The Poles) и переиздание "C.N. Tower". Год спустя альбом номинировался на премию Junos за самый многообещающий женский вокал, но проиграл певице Carole Pope из группы Rough Trade. В том же году, на радиостанции Торонто CFNY был учреждён приз You Know Awards, чуть позже как CASBY Awards ("Лучший канадский артист, выбранный тобой") и его торжественно присудили всё той же композиции "C.N. Tower" за лучший женский вокал, вслед за чем последовало выступление The Poles в прямом эфире.
• К 1982 году музыкальная карьера Джорданы прервалась, поскольку она стала матерью. Когда она вернулась в поле зрения общественности, то в течение ближайших нескольких лет получила признание за серию документальных ТВ-программ, как правило, связанных с наиболее предпочтительными предметами её увлечений – охраной окружающей среды и решением социальных вопросов. Среди этих проектов "Face Тo Face", документальный фильм с упором на ре-интеграцию подростков-инвалидов в общество, который завоевал серебряную медаль на нью-йоркском кино- и телефестивале. Она также неустанно работала в университетах и школах, участвуя в разработке инновационных программ для развития изобразительного искусства. Продолжает она и совместно с Принглом трудиться на ниве создания мультимедийных спектаклей для различных частных и корпоративных клиентов. Часто музыка Джорданы сопровождает и другие проекты, в частности её "X-Ray Robot" стала фоном для "Cyborg: The Human Condition" - новой коллекции цифровых картин. На протяжении многих лет её работы были замечены во всевозможных публикациях и книгах, и получили несколько наград от властных художественных и искусствоведческих структур провинции Онтарию и Канады, а также за рубежом.
  • Дочь Джорданы и Прингла, Ramona Pringle, тоже стала цифровым и мультимедийным художником, часто сотрудничая с различными СМИ вместе со своими родителями, в её послужном списке уже имеется несколько собственных телепроектов, в том числе рекламных, и работа с подобными ей личностями, как Russell Crowe и Ron Howard. Она также появилась в эпизодах "Degrassi: The Next Generation", "Skinwalkers", "Blue Murder" и "Riding Тhe Bus With My Sister", в других шоу и проектах PBS и независимых студий. - Jorgic

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 • Side One:
A1 Romance At The Roxy 03:15
A2 I'm Eighteen 03:04
A3 Hologram Man (Jim Jimmy) 02:45
A4 Panic 02:58
A5 X-Ray Robot 05:07
 • Side Two:
B1 Just One Minute 03:09
B2 Tattoo 02:35
B3 No Time 03:17
B4 I'll Do What You Want (But I'll Do It My Way) 03:23
B5 Cannibal Kids 05:15
B6 C.N. Tower 02:55

    Limited Edition Pressing Special Bonus track included
    CN Tower Michaele Jordana And The Poles.
    Phonographic Copyright - Attic Records Limited 

 

Musicians:
Bass, Guitar – Alann Hosack
Drums, Percussion – David Ballantyne
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Douglas Pringle
Producer – Douglas Pringle, Jim Frank
Vocals – Michaele Jordana

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