Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Papoose - Julie b/w Marie Song


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


Paul Brett Sage - S/T


Paul Brett
Sage - S/T
PYE
NSPL 18347
1970

When you see Paul Brett's musical resume, you can't help but be impressed. He's played lead guitar for Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, Tintern Abbey, Strawbs, Fire and Arthur Brown to name a few. This is his first solo album(sort of - since he has a band with him) from 1970.  I love this album. This is freaky, acid folk with acoustic guitars, flutes, hand drums, finger cymbals, along with bursts of freak rock acid guitar leads and organ. I love the compressed, in your face production. Stand out tracks for me are 3D Mona Lisa, Warlock, The Sun Died and The Tower. 

Track List: 

1. 3D Mona Lisa 
2. The Sun Died 
3. Little Aztec Prince 
4. Reason For Your Asking 
5. Trophies of the War 
6. The Tower 
7. The Painter 
8. Mediterranean Lazy Heat Wave 
9. Warlock 

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Billy Nicholls - Love Songs


Billy Nicholls - Love Songs
GML 1011
1974

The UK pop psych wonder kid returns with his second album after his essential debut "Would You Believe" from 1968. "Love Songs" from 1974 is a bit of a departure from his earlier pop psych tunes but no less brilliant. This is amazing early 70's pop rock of the highest order with the stand out tracks being "Winter Rose", "Gypsy" and the album's masterpiece "White Lightning"(which can be found on my earlier comp "The Darkness Through The Smoke"). On this album Billy had help from his friends Caleb Quaye, Ronnie Lane, Ron Wood, Ian McLagan and Pete Townshend. Amazing stuff!

1. Winter Rose
2. Gipsy
3. Travellers Joy
4. Stay Awhile
5. Little Lady
6. Sometimes
7. Kew
8. Hopeless, Helpless
9. Overnight Train
10. White Lightning


Friday, April 11, 2008

Vaughan Thomas - S/T


Vaughan Thomas - S/T
JAM JAL 101
1972

This is a great UK pop rock album from 1972 produced and arranged by Mike Batt. Mike Batt also co-wrote one of the songs (Black Sheep Of The Family) with Thomas. There are great cover versions of the Beatles and The Stones and also Tony Hazzard on this LP. In fact, this whole album reminds me of early Tony Hazzard. A really wonderful album.

1. Say That I'm On Your Mind
2. Cry Baby Cry
3. Let's Spend The Night Together
4. Blue Movie Man
5. One More Time Around
6. I Wanna Be Famous Like My Dad
7. Woman In The West
8. We Are The People
9. Black Sheep Of The Family
10. Summer Song
11. Pictures Of Summer Gone
12. Too Far Down
Bonus:
13.  Need You Girl (45 A-side)
14. Love (45 B-side)


V/A - The Darkness Through The Smoke


V/A - 
The Darkness
Through The
Smoke
1969 - 1974

Here's a comp I made from my vinyl LP's & 45's so yes, there are some snap, crackle and pops here and there. If that bothers you I don't want to hear it...it's free!

Psych, Proto-Prog, Prog, Pop and Progressive Pop from around the world all falling on the dark & moody side: 1969 - 1974. Moogs, Sitars, Mellotrons and a healthy dose of PhassssSSSSSsssing! Hope you dig it. 

1. Bee Gees - Sweet Song of Summer - 1972 
2. Richard Twice - If I Knew You Were The One - 1970 
3. Peter Sarstedt - As Though It Were A Movie - 1969 
4. Strawbs - Canon Dale - 1971 
5. Focus - Why Dream - 1971 
6. Argent - Sleep Won't Help Me - 1971 
7. Smile - Earth - 1969 
8. Nektar - Do You Believe In Magic - 1973 
9. Rats - Dragon Child - 1974 
10. Tritons - Drifter - 1973 
11. Kayak - Trust in the Machine - 1974 
12. Savage Grace - Night of the Hunter - 1970 
13. Billy Nicholls - White Lightning - 1974 
14. Dave Miller Set - Mr. Guy Fawkes - 1969 
15. Tom Northcott - Blackberry Way - 1971 
16. Morgan - Ill Wind - 1971 
17. Keith West - Liet Motif - 1974 
18. Gordon Haskell - Upside Down - 1972 
19. Savage Grace - Turn Your Head - 1970