Papoose -Julie b/w Marie Song
Mercury 6120 004
1972
I discovered Papoose from the late, great SFA(Sweet Floral Albion) psychedelic music e-zine. In fact, here is the SFA description of this Papoose single from SFA issue # 31: "'Julie' is chunky stomping pop, heavy on the thumping piano, with a late-60's vibe, falsetto harmony parts and some potty toytown pop touches. Based on a Bach tune, 'Marie Song' is a beautiful amalgam of psych-pop and progressive-pop. Majestic, stately, swirly, mysterious, muzzy, densely produced with layer upon layer of sound cut through only by deftly phased percussion, and a delightfully wobbly ending, 'Marie Song' rolls over you like a silky smooth wave of heavenly beauty. Then the melody and the images it evokes (of misty chateaux, delectable long haired maidens in flowing velvet) haunts you for the rest of the day. Papoose were a groovy looking bunch of long hairs lead by vocalist and guitar genius Philippe Cauvin (before he went acoustic). They cut several francophonic singles ('Cabaret Rouge', 'Le Grand Cirque', 'Le Roi Soleil', 'Mélancolie') and an album, 'Les Enfants Outgangs', during their short life, 1972 to 1975. This is their finest moment."
I agree with their description although I think the A side, Julie, is a bit more on the bubblegum side with the beginning sounding not unlike 'Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da". The true gem here is 'Marie Song'. This is one of my all time favorite songs. Wonderful, moody, prog-pop with explosive phased cymbals, eerie recorder and a great beginning drum break(I wonder if it's been sampled yet?) If anyone knows if Papoose has any other songs that are as good as 'Marie Song', please let me know! I'd love to hear more Papoose.
Track List:
1. Julie
2. Marie Song
