Debut album from the italian artist with a welsh background, frst released in '72. Split over four tracks (the title track took up the whole of the first side on the original vinyl), this is stunning, dreamy music. Wondering into melodic folk backed by avant-garde jazz arrangements.The most important instrument on this album has to be Alan's voice, a masterful tapestry that rivals anyone for sheer quality. Includes a scene stealing vioin solo from Jean Luc Ponty (later of Mahavishnu Orchestra.)
Beat generation poet Allen Ginsberg was also a singer/songwiter who was encouraged to write and record by none other than Bob Dylan, who took Allen into the studio his first ever "music" recordings. Those 1971 recordings with Dylan, as well as sessions from 1976 with members of Dylan's Rolling Thunder Review band produced by maverick John Hammond (Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen), and additional recordings from 1981 were gathered together and released as the double LP First Blues in 1983. Many of the recordings feature cello player Arthur Russell (known for his 1970's Flying Hearts band and his ground-breaking 1980's solo recordings). First time on CD: 24 songs on 2 CDs. Cover photography by the legendary Robert Frank. Original detailed liner notes by Allen Ginsberg.
Subtitled "Allen Ginsberg Reads Kaddish- A 20th Century American Ecstatic American Narrative Poem," this 1966 release was recorded in front of a live audience at Brandeis University in Boston in 1964. Based on the traditional Hebrew mourning prayer ("kaddish"), this poem is dedicated to Ginsberg's mother Naomi, who died in 1956 in a mental hospital. Written in 1958 in one non-stop 40 hour marathon session fueled by dexedrine, a tiny hit of LSD 25, and many cups of coffee, Kaddish stands as an epic testament to Ginsberg's literary talent. Original artwork featuring the cover photo by Richard Avedon. Original liner notes by Ginsberg and new in-depth notes by noted Beat-era scholar and writer Harvey Kubernik. First time on CD!
One of the most important figures of the British folk revival of the 1960s, Anne Briggs was a huge influence on such luminaries as Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior and Linda Thompson. This is her second full length, originally released in 1971. Unlike previous releases which contained mostly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment, this album features many self-penned numbers as well as a few contemporary covers with Briggs playing guitar and bouzouki. Briggs only released two albums and a handful of singles/EPs before retiring from the music business making this reissue an important document of the British folk revival.
With a psychedelic brand of soul and a vocal style that drew comparisons to Otis Redding, the 300-400 pound Baby Huey was set to break out of the Chicago scene with the release of his debut album. Unfortunately, his weight and taste for drugs resulted in a fatal heart attack that prevented him from seeing the release of the disc. Featuring producer Curtis Mayfield's "Hard Times" and "Mighty Mighty Children" plus a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," Baby Huey's lone album has become a sought-after collectible among soul fanatics.
CD reissue of very first album from legendary soul singer who has influemced everyone from Syreeta and Jodie Watley through to Joss Stone and Erkyah Badu. This debut album, which has never been on CD before, was recorded in 1968 when our Bet was just 14 years old, and features such fiery-throated (even then) soul gems as 'Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do' and 'I'm Gonna Hate Myself In the Morning' which one SERIOUSLY couldn't get away with in 21st century Britain!! Features detailed liner notes.
A cult hero to many of new "weird folk's" heavy hitters including Devendra Banhart, Biff Rose was an odd singer/songwriter who didn't fit into any comfortable niche when he emerged in the late 1960s. Often sounding like a Broadway songwriter with his jaunty piano and bouncy singalong melodies, the New Orleans pianist was like a vaudeville entertainer reincarnated as a spacy hippie. He added an arch, whimsical tone and sarcastic, ironic undercurrents to his songs that both reflected and mocked the counterculture, much like fellow musician and sometime collaborator, Van Dyke Parks. Highly revered by David Bowie, who covered the Biff Rose songs "Fill Your Heart" (co-written by Paul Williams) on his Hunky Dory album and "Buzz The Fuzz" in live performances.
Until this 1974 album on Asylum, Bob Neuwirth was best known for his work with Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin (co-writing "Mercedes Benz" - included here with altered lyrics). This debut features guest appearances from Rita Coolidge, Mama Cass, Don Everly, Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, Booker T, Kris Kristofferson, Ian Matthews and Dusty Springfield. Similar in style to some of Dylan's more country-oriented albums and remastered from the original tapes this is on CD for the first time.
A superb selection of trippy and diverse cover versions of tracks by the likes of Bill Withers, Pentangle, Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger, Jefferson Airplane, and Ginger Baker's Airforce. This 2005 collection of 1960s and 70s funk, folk, and psychedelic nuggets features backing from members of Mushroom, Steve Wynn, Chris Cacavas, Ralph Carney and chanteuse Alison Levy. There is plenty of jazzy psychy jamming with keyboards, guitar and assorted instrumentation. Caroleen Beatty was the dynamic female voice of the acclaimed 'Taking Tiger Mountain' tribute CD to Brian Eno.
Probably the greatest and most obscure supergroup album, combining the talents of Joel Scott Hill (guitar/vocals), The Flying Burrito Brothers' Chris Ethridge (bass/piano/vocals) and The Turtles' Johnny Barbata (drums) with guest spots from Dr. John and Leon Russell and production from the legendary Paul Rothchild. Blue-eyed soul meets gospel, blues and some sterling Hammond sounds. This is a real piece of history.
On the outer edge of German space rock, Cluster '71 stands as a testament to minimalist "cosmische" music. The three untitled tracks composed and performed by Moebius and Roedelius are exploratory, ever-changing pieces with focuses on guitar distortion and synthesizer wails, though each goes far beyond. This album deserves the many accolades it's been given, and holds up as an early landmark in the history of beatless ambience.
Moebius and Roedelius, a.k.a. Cluster, released this album in 1976. While some tracks have early electronic percussion and others are beatless, the album is overall melodic and atmospheric. The blend of electronic rhythms and quirky bubbly sounds combined with piano and a few bits of guitar here and there is pure bliss. Tracks: 1. Sowiesoso 2. Halwa 3. Dem Wanderer 4. Umleitung 5. Zum Wohl 6. Es War Einmal 7. In Ewigkeit
Originally recorded and released in 1977, this pioneering ambient album brought together several legends of progressive electronic sound: Brian Eno, solo artist and collaborator with David Bowie, Robert Fripp, and Roxy Music; Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius, both of whom had made dozens of ground-breaking recordings throughout the 70's and Michael Rother, of the hugely influential krautrock band Neu!. This album was the first of several celebrated collaborations between these artists, whose influence looms over many current musicians. The first in a series of Brian Eno/ Cluster related collaborations to be reissued by Water in 2005.
This is a beautiful album an absolute masterpiece that took one year to record and released in 1971 . Initial sessions had Argent backing and later Chris Gunning's string arrangements were added. Widely considered to be Blunstone's best solo album it shows off his perfect distinctive voice. Blunstone shone as as a songwriter on this record as it contains such classics as "Caroline Goodbye" and "Let Me Come Closer to You".
Originally released on Atlantic/Cotillion in 1970, the only album by this Philadelphia combo is a lost nugget which exemplifies the musical freedom of the late 60's, but looks toward the groovy and funky melodicism that would dominate the 70's. Village Voice critic Robert Christgau wrote "Tight, melodic music that thrives somewhere in an uncharted region triangulated by rock, pop, and jazz. Beautifully engineered, too." Members of the band went on to become successful session musicians, performing on essential recordings by Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, and John Mayall. Co-produced by legendary jazz producer Joel Dorn. First time on CD. Detailed liner notes.
Recorded in the UK during the artists exile from Brazil (due to the Governments dislike of the Tropicalia movement) this was Gil's English language album. Largely acoustic but with some electric guitar, this album includes bonus tracks in the form of live acoustic recordings of Steve Winwood's "Can't Find My Way Home", Hendrix's "Up From The Skies" and The Beatles "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".
Selected scores from the composer Giovanni Fusco who worked closely with the neorealist director Michealangelo Antonioni in the '50's and 60's. This album collects the best bits from his early '60's work, "L'Avventura" (1960), "L'Eclisse (1962) and "Deserto Rosso" (1964.) Beautiful minimalistic arrangements are his forte, designed to accompany the action on the screen and not dominate it.
Previously unreleased live recordings, capturing these wild and wacky acid folk rock visionairies at their peak. The expanded 7-piece band covers rock, latin, swing and everything inbetween during this radio broadcast of almost one hour.
Finally available on CD this highly sought after acid classic is now within reach ! Sounding like a psychedelic-folky fusion of the Fugs and the Mothers of Invention, this is one of the best acid folk albums of the '60's. A sprawling, demented LP that's truly on the edge. Imagine an Acid Test that turned into a US folk rock band. The whole drug induced story can be found in the hilarious booklet notes. Includes "Bird Song," which was featured on the Easy Rider soundtrack.
First time CD re-issue of this 1970 debut (originally on Vertigo) solo album by ex Fairport Convention man, later of Matthews Southern Comfort and Plainsong.This is melancholic stuff and Ian's voice is in fine form and is very similar to Neil Young's After The Goldrush.11 tracks, remastered and housed in a mini LP gatefold sleeve.
1971 found former Fairport Convention lead singer Ian Matthews not only extremely prolific but surprisingly consistent. Tigers Will Survive, originally released on Vertigo in November of that year, is no exception. Featuring backing from British band Quiver (which included Bruce Thomas, later of the Attractions, and Tim Renwick, who played with David Bowie among others). Tigers Will Survive, as was Matthews' style, is a brilliant collection of originals and choice covers (including Eric Andersen's classic "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" and an a capella version of The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron". Mellow folk-rock jams of the highest order.
Best known as a legendary actor, Jack Palance did record an album in 1969 for Warner Bros that recalls the wacky country-rock music vibe of Lee Hazelwood's albums of the same time period. Recorded in Nashville with the usual studio cats, the album is a playful country-rock romp not unlike other late 60's Nashville recordings. Fans of Lee Hazelwood, Johnny Cash and Scott Walker will love this album. Featuring Palance's self penned classic song "The Meanest Guy That Ever Lived".A 20 page booklet with new and detailed liner notes (and rare photos) is included.
This was Lomax's first LP for Warners which featured, among others, guitarist Bryn Haworth -- known for his playing on John Cale's Fear album and various Ian Matthews recordings. First released in 1971, the album's slower tracks were particularly impressive -- "When I Miss You The Most, Or So It Seems," "You Within Me" -- although the style and the sound remained much as it had been on his Apple debut solo LP. It proved Jackie Lomax could produce an impressive record even without the help of the star-studded backing band featured on his Apple Records debut.
1972 saw the release of Jackie Lomax's third solo LP (his second for Warner Brothers) entitled Three (III), with stand out blue-eyed soul tracks including: "No Reason" and "Fever's Got Me Burning" and beautiful, slow, sad songs like "Last Time Home," which featured members of The Band (Rick Danko, Levon Helm) and Billy Mundi of the Mothers Of Invention. The album was recorded at Bearsville Studios and produced by John Simon who produced the first two albums from The Band and Leonard Cohen's debut.
Best known for producing the first two albums by The Band (Music from Big Pink and The Band), John Simon also produced Big Brother and the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills (featuring Janis Joplin), Simon and Garfunkel's Bookends, Leonard Cohen's debut and the first LP by Blood, Sweat and Tears. In 1971, John released this debut solo album on Warner Bros. The songs range from psychedelic nursery rhymes to dream-like confessionals. "Davy's On The Road Again" (later a hit for Manfred Mann), was co-written with Robbie Robertson. The musicians' credits reads like a who's who of Seventies rock: Leon Russell, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Grady Tate, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Whitlock, Merry Clayton, Harvey Brooks, members of The Band, Derek and the Dominoes and Muscle Shoals session players.
Singer/songwriter Judee Sill died of a heroin overdose in 1979 before she completed her third album that was, like her first two, to be released on David Geffen's Asylum Records. The eight songs intended for that album are included here, freshly mixed by Jim O'Rourke (Wilco, Sonic Youth). This two disc set also includes many Sill rareities from the '60s and '70s, including a 12 minute five song live video clip on enhanced CD. Super deluxe packaging featuring a 72 page booklet!
CD re-issue of the second album Judee Sill made in 1973 proved to be her last. A notoriously slow songwriter, this enjoyable outing took its toll on Sill during its making, turning her back to her recently kicked heroin addiction and away from the desire to create more music. Instead of using an outside arranger for the strings(as she did on her previous album), Sill did all of the work herself. Her lack of formal training and the immense amount of orchestral overdubs certainly would have made such an outing a hardship for anyone. It’s a stellar example of the kind of singer/songwriter fare the music industry was mining in the early ‘70s. The supporting cast of top L.A. studio musicians solidifies Sill’s unique brand country- flavored pop, which moves from introspective meanderings to loping rock, often within a single song.
For this 1971 self-titled debut, Sill gathered a production team that included Jim Pons and John Beck of The Leaves, as well as producer Henry Lewy,( Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Flying Burrito Brothers etc) Gentle guitar playing and Sills rich, Karen Carpenter like vocals provides the foundation for most of the songs, joined by various combinations of pedal steel, strings, and brass. "Jesus Was A Cross Maker," built on a bed of Sill's gospel-flavored piano, was produced by Graham Nash and crafted as a single. Rich with cosmic imagery and ambiguously spiritual lyrics, the songs on Judee Sill often blur the line between the earthly and the divine.These are the idividual numbered editions.
Featuring the 26-minute "The Lovers," this album is THE essence and translation of the predominant free love theme of the '60s and '70s. Every nuance of McCann's stream of consciousness comes through loud and clear, as do the excellent solos by Yusef Lateef on a wide array of reeds, flutes, and percussion. David Spinozza's electric guitar chops and Alphonse Mouzon's drum and percussion feelings on McCann's completely improvised composition are an auditory delight for fusion fans. Two other compositions, "Beaux J. Poo Boo" and "Poo Pye McGoochie (And His Friends)" round out the set with by adding different sonorous characters and musical back stories.
First time on CD for this classic 1969 Blue Note release, which takes its title from Donaldson's fine take on the James Brown funker "Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud." With a band featuring trumpeter Blue Mitchell, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, organist Charles Earland, and drummer Leo Morris (Idris Muhammad), alto master Donaldson turns in a fine funkified set. Detailed liner notes.
The high esteem in which Lou Johnson is held by soul collectors is sadly disproportionate to the size of his catalog. He recorded only 10 singles and two albums in his ten year career. This was his first and is, by common consensus, also his best album. Despite the fact that he started his career by working with Burt Bacharach and Hal David and recorded the original versions of several of their classic songs, next to nothing is known about Lou Johnson. He doesn't appear to have been interviewed in his prime, and he nowadays lives reclusively. Fortunately Johnson's recorded legacy speaks volumes for his talent. This album plays a major part in doing just that with delightful string arrangements by Arif Mardin (Rotary Connection).
Considered one of the greatest Italian songwriters for his ability to reach the primal core of emotional matters, Battisti is held in the same regard in Italy as John Lennon is in the English-speaking world. Aided instrumentally by members of PFM (progressive Italian rockers named, oddly enough after a bakery) and guitarist Alberto Radius of Formula Tre, Lucio Battisti made this much adored 1971 cult masterpiece.(all voclas in Italian). Imagine Brazilian psych-pop combo Os Mutantes fronted by Southern soul legend James Carr and you'll get a glimpse of this inexplicably accomplished and adventurous album.
At long last a CD version of the Welsh singer songwriter's debut album from 1970. Featuring tabla & sitar courtesy of Magic Carpet's Keshav Sathe, this guy later turned down a 5-album deal with Warners to concentrate on his own Welsh language recordings. A stunning mixture of American/Celtic Rock and psychedelic folk including the awesome "Yorric" Haunting, electric and inspired.
Melvin Van Peebles invented the blaxploitation film genre with his groundbreaking 1970 "Sweet Sweetback Bad Ass Song". He's also known for writing novels & sceenplays and acting in films such as "Last Action Hero" & "Terminal Velocity". On this rare 1974 album Van Peebles gives passionate reflections on the state of 70's black culture over some very funky grooves with strings and orchestration. Harold Wheeler arranged the music with the same touch of class he brought to his work with Nina Simone, and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. Fans of underground 70's soul and blaxploitation soundtracks will find much to love here. A 16 page booklet with new liner notes, rare photos and lyrics is included.
Pearls Before Swine's fourth and last Warner/Reprise album originally released in 1971. Ten Tom Rapp originals, plus a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen's "Bird On A Wire." There is a dark angel's purity in these songs and each of them is musically and philosophically linked with all of the others.
"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you." This is the fifth Warner/Reprise album from Tom Rapp and Co. originally released in 1971. Like The Incredible String Band, PBS branched out into eclectic rock adding female vocalists and assorted instrumentation. This album includes a great version of Leonard Cohens 'Nancy' and an evocative rendition of "Season's In The Sun" as well as some Rapp gems such as "Did You Dream Of". All PBS albums are worthy of a listen and this is no exception.
Fabulous box set containing all four of the late '60's PBS Warner/Reprise albums that followed the bands first two records on ESP : 'These Things Too', 'The Use Of Ashes', 'City Of Gold' and - 'Beautiful Lies You Could Live In'. It also contains a detailed 60 page book featuring tons of photos, posters and liner notes by Lenny Kaye, Savage Pencil, Byron Coley, Bevis Frond and Joe Phillips. Tom Rapp's beautiful folk-rock psychedelia is poetic mystical and surreal. The closest approximation would be an American Incredible String Band but the overall effect is more melancholic and subtle. Beautiful bewitching music from a true underground legend.
Their fourth album (second for Warner/Reprise) released in 1970 continued the tradition of psychedelic dreamy poetic musing and added a small orchestra of strings to add a classical feel. The album features songs written by Tom Rapp whilst living in Holland including the superb "The Jeweller". Subversive, tender, moving, goofy, maddening, and profound PBS and Tom Rapp created some of the best and timeless musical poetry of the '60's and '70's.
This is a 2-CD set of all previously unreleased vintage Pearls Before Swine recordings. Disc One features ‘60s and ‘70s home demos, out-takes, various studio recordings, works in progress -- many songs that never appeared on any Pearls Before Swine albums, various cover songs, experiments, and just an amazing view of Tom Rapp's personal tape archives. Disc Two features a complete early ‘70s live concert performance, as well as other vintage ‘70s live recordings and radio sessions.
Adored by the New-Folk elite, this short lived, but extremely influential folk-rock outfit only last about a year and a half, but the music has stood the test of time. Fronted by former Fairport Convention singer Iain Matthews, Plainsong found him and his muse continuing to explore the British strain of folk rock pioneered by his former band while looking toward the West Coast country-rock of Gene Clark and Gram Parsons, a path he would follow more during his solo career. A huge influence on everyone from Devendra Banhart and Vetiver to Appendix Out and Four Tet. This 40 track 2CD set includes the only official album, In Search of Amelia Earhart (never available on CD in the US), the unreleased second album, plus various live tracks.
Ruthann recorded a single early '70s Reprise album of superb loner folk psych with fragile singing and delicate acoustic guitar playing... stark and deep meditations on lost love, topsy-turvy moons, ringing bells.. And here it is, for the first time on CD. Detailed liner notes, rare photos. And oh yeah, she was the writer of the Association's hit "Windy."
Two nights in February '69 make up the performance captured here. Bull experiments here with guitar electronics as well as the acoustics that were the mainstay of the two Vanguard records era albums. Expect the usual forays into Eastern music drones and guitar instrumentals with elements of folk and jazz. Deluxe packaging with liner notes and rare photos.
One of the legendary albums of 196Os US free jazz, from the man that revitalised the language of the guitar in the genre the way Don Cherry did for trumpet and Albert Ayler for tenor sax. Believed to be one of the most influential avant garde records of the last fifty to sixty years- yet underneath allthe unconventional voicings and complex rhythms ther is a real pop-gospel sensibility that many other players in what was termed Radical Black Music lacked. Produced by (of all people) whitebread middle class jazz legend Herbie Mann and featuring some of New York's top free players such as drummer Milford Graves and bassist Norris Jones, as well as Sonny's wife Linda on 'shriek' vocal, this is every bit as good as people think it might be. Detailed liner notes by Byron Coley and Ted Drozowski. Outstanding track: 'Portrait Of Linda In Three Colours, All Black'.
"Live at the Isle Of Wight 1970". This CD contains previously unreleased live recordings by the UK vocalist/guitarist. Fans of Joe Cocker, the Faces, the Free and Led Zeppelin will enjoy this great 70's british blues rock. .
Remaster of the 1973 album from UK rocker Terry Reid (who once turned down Jimmy Page's offer for the job as singer of the New Yardbirds - for anyone that doesn't know, they became Led Zeppelin!!!). Featured on the Glastonbury 1971 movie, Terry's voice has been likened to "..velvet and sandpaper". Produced by Tom Dowd and featuring slide guitarist David Lindley (Kaleidoscope USA).
After four blissfully stoned albums (all recorded for Reprise), 1972 seemed to be the perfect time for a Pearls Before Swine "best of" LP. Rather than use previous recordings, Tom Rapp and pals entered the studio to re-record some PBS classics and the results became known as Familiar Songs (released here on CD for the first time). Featuring new liner notes from Tom Rapp on the origins of these 1972 recording sessions Tom reminisces that the album is "like that disturbing yearbook picture of you that you now see through a haze of nostalgia and good will". Includes the definitive and mind blowing orchestrated version of "These Things Too". Stunning stuff.
The West Coast's answer to The Last Poets, The Watts Prophets played an integral part in the raising of black consciousness and laying the foundations for rap. Formed at the Watts Writer's Workshop, Anthony "Amde" Hamilton, Otis O'Solomon, and Richard Dedeaux began performing together as Watts Prophets, setting their socially and politically conscious poetry to spare, often jazzy musical backing. They made high-profile guest appearances on Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key of Life and Quincy Jones' Mellow Madness, and were later the subject of an Emmy-nominated documentary, Victory Will Be My Moan. These recordings derive from their earliest albums.
At long last this stone cold classic album from the '60s is available on CD. A cosmic voyage into acid trip exotica. 12 tracks of weird psych, each one based on a different sign of the Zodiac, with a narrator who guides you through the different tripped out aspects of each sign. Sitars twang, fuzz guitars wah wah, instrumental electric and orchestral music warbles and '60s electronic effects bubble through your ears. Totally classic groovy sounds for your wild pot parties.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
