Peppermint Store

Spirogyra - Bells, Boots and Shambles 1973

2010-06-05T22:20:00.006+02:00

Spirogyra are a British folk/prog band that recorded three albums between 1971 and 1973. Their final album, Bells, Boots and Shambles, appeared on Polydor in April 1973 and sold very poorly. The album was a highly stylized mix of psychedelic, flowery-folk/contrasted with some harsh socio-political overtones- and many dubbed post-production sound effects, most tracks blending into the next one.

All songs and male vocals are by Martin Cockerham, who writes very hummable tunes with biting lyrics. Some collectors fondly label it a "lost classic", since many people did re-discover it. Widely regarded today as one of the classics of British acid folk.

Tracks
1. The Furthest Point
2. Old Boot Wine
3. Parallel Lines Never Seperate
4. Spiggly
5. An Everyday Consumption Song
6. The Sergant Says
7. In The Western World:
In The Western World / Jungle Lore / Coming Back / Western World Reprise

Robin Scott - Woman From the Warm Grass 1969

2010-04-25T10:52:00.011+02:00

Singer songwriter Robin Scott's debut LP was released in 1969 on the small independent label Heart Records. A nice mix of acoustic ballads and folk-rock with some psychedelic undertones, influenced by Bob Dylan as well as Syd Barrett. The album was backed by four members from the psychedelic band Mighty Baby. This is a nice gem of British acid folk.

Tracks

1. The Sailor
2. Song Of The Sun
3. The Sound Of Rain
4. Penelope
5. The Day Begins
6. Woman From The Warm Grass
7. I Am Your Suitcase Lover
8. Mara's Supper
9. Point Of Leaving
10. The Purple Cadger

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Mick Stevens - See the Morning 1972

2010-03-20T13:09:00.008+01:00

Low-fi but genuinely extraordinary, this horrendously rare album came out on the legendary DIY Deroy label, and was the first in a run of acclaimed psych-out folk LPs by the other Stevens (not Druid Overlord Meic). The charcoal simplicity of the cover sketch can’t prepare you for what lies within. What was influencing this guy? Hard to tell – frantic bass playing, flamenco-style acoustic flourishes and electric wah-wah straight out of the Bag O’Nails circa 1967 combine to reveal a serious talent. Mick plays everything – impressively, even a coffee-pot (sic) – layering tight CSNY-style harmonies on top of his semi-classical acoustic on tracks such as ‘Catherine’, whilst introducing restrained yet awesome psychedelic electric guitar textures on the excellent closer ‘Salotan Cinonrever’.

- Dominic Stinton (Galactic Ramble)

Tracks
1. Smile Again
2. Asher's Song
3. Beech Tree
4. Catherine
5. Burning
6. Joe's Kaph
7. Judianna
8. Song Of The Riverspirits
9. The Wheel
10. Salotan Cinonrever

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Nick Garrie - The Nightmare Of J.B. Stanislas 1969

2010-03-20T11:22:00.010+01:00

This album is a very interesting piece of pop psych in the very best tradition of the baroque songwriting of late 60’s. It first came out in France in 1969, under the production of Eddie Vartan, who managed to embody Nick's perfect songs into an orchestration with several common points to that in other great albums from the era coming from the UK (think of Billy Nichols, Duncan Browne or Bill Fay). Soon after the record came out, the AZ's label owner commited suicide, the label resting orphan and thus the release being unpromoted and undistributed sank in the dust of time.

Born to a Scottish mother and a Russian father, Nick Garrie began breathing at a young age the bohemian atmosphere that permeated European musical culture of the late Sixties, finding in music the perfect way to express his cosmopolitan and eclectic personality.

One of the most mysterious and sought after albums ever.

Tracks
1.The Nightmare Of J.B. Stanislas
2. Can I Stay With You
3. Bungles Tours
4. David’s Prayer
5. Ink Pot Eyes
6. The Wanderer
7. StephanieCity
8. Little Bird
9. Deeper Tones Of Blue
10. Queen Of Queens
11. Wheel Of Fortune
12. Evening

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Various Artists - Codex Peppermintus

2010-02-11T21:20:00.008+01:00

Now it is finally here. An exciting new collection of freaked out and wonderful songs, a perfect selection of ear candy for the sophisticated listener. This is the sixth compilation from the Peppermint Store blog.

I would also like to thank everyone who follows the blog and write so fine comments. Thank you. And don't forget to be nice to each other.

Peace out
Mad Hatter

Tracks
1. Faraway Folk - Coming Back To Brixham 1970
2. Jackie McAuley - One Fine Day 1972
3. Pretty Things - She Was Tall, She Was High 1970
4. Tucker Zimmerman - A Face That Hasn't Sold Out 1969
5. Bill Fay - Omega Day 1971
6. Bridget St John - The Pebble And The Man 1971
7. Dr. Strangely Strange - Dark Haired Lady 1969
8. Spriguns - Laily Worm 1976
9. Loudest Whisper - Mannanan I 1974
10. Complex - The Way I Feel 1971
11. Pearls Before Swine - The Surrealist Waltz 1967
12. Just Others - A Ballad Of Lady Ann 1974
13. Motherlight - The Lens (short version) 1969
14. Incredible String Band - Air 1968

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Check out my previous compilations:
Peppermint Store -Vol 1.
In the Magic Garden of Peppermint Store
Wizard's Dream
Out of the Mad Hat
Songs of the March Hare

Mary-Anne - Me 1970

2010-02-06T10:49:00.003+01:00

Here is a great folk-psych album by the Scottish folksinger Mary Anne Paterson. Recorded in 1970 by Mary Anne and some buskers from a London tube station with whom she barely rehearsed, and never saw again.

The songs here, mostly traditional, are very pretty, with a nice echo-y quality on the voice, guitar and flute accompaniments running through the entire production. The standout track is her version of "Black Girl", a Leadbelly standard, that devolves into a hippie tribal voice and flute freak out.

Me is sure to appeal to all acid folk lovers, and will surely elevate Mary-Anne to where she belongs - alongside Vashti Bunyan and Anne Briggs in the pantheon of Britain’s leading folk singers.

Tracks
1. Love Has Gone
2. C o u l t e r’s Candy
3. The Jute Mill Song
4. The Gentleman Soldier
5. Black Girl
6. Wandering So Far
7. Come All Ye Fair & Tender Maidens
8. Candyman
9. The Water is ide
10. Hallowed Be Thy Name
11. Reverie for Roslyn

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Gordon Jackson - Thinking Back 1969

2010-01-09T12:11:00.004+01:00

Gordon Jackson’s rare 1969 LP can almost be called a lost Traffic album. Produced by Dave Mason, it’s a melodic distillation of folk, pop and psychedelia featuring the talents of Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood. Also appearing are Jim King and Ric Grech (Family), Julie Driscoll, The Blossom Toes, Meic Stevens, Reg King and many others. A true lost classic.

Tracks
1. The Journey
2. My Ship, My Star
3. Me And My Dog
4. Song For Freedom
5. Sing To Me Woman
6. When You Are Small
7. Snakes And Ladders

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Folkal Point - Folkal Point 1972

2010-01-09T11:14:00.006+01:00

Folkal Point's sole album is one of the most expensive and sought-after British traditional folk LP from the early '70s.

Some 500 copies of this record were pressed on the tiny Midas imprint (an offshoot of the only slightly larger Folk Heritage label), aproximately half of which were destroyed in a flood. That left around 250 for the band to sell at gigs. Though it seems unlikely that all those were sold, very few have turned up since.

Musically it's a likeable, gentle collection of well-known songs sutch as Scarborough Fair, Sweet Sir Galahad and You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, as well as some folk standards. Its main assets being Cherie Musialik's warm, tender voice, which like the best British woman folk singers of the late '60s and early '70s has a high, pristine timbre. The overall effect isn't as square as on many similar collections, though, with a wistful vibe and even hints of a darker, more psychedelic mood emerging on several occasions.

Tracks
1. Twelve Gates Into The City
2. Scarborough Fair
3. Sweet Sir Galahad
4. Lovely Joan
5. Circle Game
6. Cookoo's Hollerin'
7. Edom O'gordon
8. Victoria Dines Alone
9. You Ain't Going Nowhere
10. Anathea
11. National Seven
12. Once I Knew A Pretty Girl

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Honeybus - Story 1970

2010-01-08T22:26:00.005+01:00

Honeybus cut three singles in 1967 and 68, written and fronted by Pete Dello who promptly quit after I Can't Let Maggie Go hit and embarked on a fascinating and complex solo career. Not to be outdone, the band re-grouped and cut three further singles and an album that almost never got released. The story goes that upon their split in early 1970, somebody at their label, Deram Records, heard the recordings and demanded that it be released. And hence it was, posthumously and to little fanfare in 1970.

Blending the kind of pure, crystalline folk-tinged baroque pop that had characterised most of their singles with flashes of psychedelia, country and bubblegum, the twelve songs that make up Story are uniformly stunning creations, played with skill and confidence, arranged for strings and woodwind and blessed with a sympathetic, understated production.

Tracks
1. Story
2. Black Mourning Band
3. Scarlet Lady
4. Fresher Than the Sweetness In Water
5. He Was Columbus
6. Ceilings No 1
7. Under The Silent Tree
8. She's Out There
9. She Said Yes
10. I Remember Caroline
11. How Long
12. Ceilings No 2

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Tomorrow Come Someday 1969

2009-12-17T20:44:00.009+01:00

Here is the wonderful soundtrack of the long-forgotten local film Tomorrow Come Someday. Recorded in 1969 by Peter Howell/John Ferdinando's who also made the legendary Agincourt, Ithaca and Alice Through the Looking Glass albums. Like "Alice" only a handful of copies were made back then, and this is now a 1000+ mega bucks item.

The short film was given a limited release at the time, and the folk flavour throughout the soundtrack feature male and female vocals . Musically it offers gentle, whimsical hippie folk with hints of sunshine pop. Great stuff!

Tracks

1. Title Theme
2. Someone Like You
3. March of the Civil Servants
4. Bluebottle Stripe
5. Setting Sun
6. On Location
7. Everything Has Its Place
8. Fishing
9. Tomorrow Come Someday
10. Love Theme
11. Honesty
12. Windfall Wood

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The Sun Also Rises - The Sun Also Rises 1970

2009-12-08T20:25:00.003+01:00

The husband and wife duo from Cardiff have captured moods by patterns of sound and words. Totally influenced by the Incredible String Band, the album offers whimsical, acoustic acid folk, with weird, disjointed hippie lyrics about a fantasy world of mythological beings such as fairies, elves and dragons. It’s a charming period piece.

Personnel
Graham Hemingway/vocals,guitars
Anne Hemingway/vocals,dulcimer,glockenspiel,vibes,percussion

Tracks
1. I Really Wanted You
2. Wizard Shep
3. Part of the Room
4. Green Room
5. Tales of Jasmine and Suicide
6. Flowers
7. Song of Consolation
8. Suddenly It’s Evening
9. Death
10. Fafnir and the Knights

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Fairport Convention - Full House 1970

2009-11-13T21:43:00.002+01:00

Full House, released in 1970, is the fifth album by folk rock group Fairport Convention and was their first album without a female vocalist, as Sandy Denny had left to form Fotheringay.

Despite these changes they produced another great album which was remarkably successful as a project. Like Liege and Lief, it combined traditional songs with original compositions. It was favourably reviewed in Britain and America, drawing comparisons with The Band from Rolling Stone Magazine who declared that ‘Fairport Convention is better than ever’. The album reached number 13 in the UK Chart and stayed in the chart for 11 weeks.

Personnel
Dave Swarbrick - vocals, Fiddle, Viola, Mandolin
Richard Thompson - vocals, Electric Guitar
Dave Pegg - vocals, Bass Guitar, Mandolin
Dave Mattacks - drums, percussion, Harmonium, Bodhran
Simon Nicol - vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, Electric Dulcimer

Produced by Joe Boyd

Tracks
1. Walk Awhile
2. Dirty Linen
3. Sloth
4. Sir Patrick Spens
5. Flatback Caper
6. Doctor of Physick
7. Flowers of the Forest

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Pearls Before Swine - These Things Too 1969

2009-11-13T09:22:00.008+01:00

These Things Too was the third album by American psychedelic folk group Pearls Before Swine, and their first for Reprise Records. It was released in 1969.

By early 1969, the original line-up of Pearls Before Swine - which had only ever performed in the studio, never live - was disintegrating around its leader and mainstay, singer and songwriter Tom Rapp. Original members Lane Lederer and Roger Crissinger had left, and Rapp had married Dutch traveller Elisabeth (surname unrecorded), whom he had met in New York when recording the album Balaklava. Original member Wayne Harley remained in the group, but left shortly after These Things Too was recorded.

The group had now left ESP-Disk and joined Reprise, a major label, and Rapp and producer Richard Alderson recruited studio musicians to play on the album. Chief among these was Jim Fairs, formerly of garage band The Cryan’ Shames, who acted as co-producer and arranger as well as musician. Other musicians included violinist Richard Greene, later of Seatrain, and jazz drummer Grady Tate.

These Things Too has been described as Rapp’s ”dreamy” album, and it is generally less well regarded by critics than the albums which immediately preceded and followed it, Balaklava (1968) and The Use of Ashes (1970). Rapp stated that it was the first Pearls Before Swine album which reflected drug use in the writing of the songs.

The album sleeve showed a 15th century painting of Christ by Giovanni Bellini. The picture was removed from the version of the album issued in Germany because it showed Christ’s nipple exposed.

Tracks
1. Footnote
2. Sail Away
3. Look Into Her Eyes
4. I Shall Be Released
5. Frog In The Window
6. I’m Going To City
7. Man In The Tree
8. If You Don’t Want To (I Don’t Mind)
9. Green And Blue
10. Mon Amour
11. Wizard of Is
12. Frog in the Window
13. When I Was a Child
14. These Things Too

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Mark Fry - Dreaming With Alice 1972

2009-10-04T20:37:00.006+02:00

Released only as a local RCA pressing in Italy, Dreaming With Alice is a legendary rarity of the hippie folk-rock scene. It’s an LP that’s easy to like, with good songwriting and all the elements that genre fans crave - dreamy vocals, sitars, flute, stoned Eastern fantasies and wistful Donovan fairytale moods. Indeed, it sounds like a sliver of vintage, acid-fuelled Donovan expanded to an entire album. The gentle acoustic mood is wisely broken up with folk-rock jamming and even some hard-edged fuzz workouts, all within the aesthetic boundaries of this skilfully arranged yet pleasantly organic album.

Tracks
1. Dreaming With Alice (verse 1)
2. The Witch
3. Dreaming With Alice (verse 2)
4. Song For Wilde
5. Dreaming With Alice (verse 3)
6. Roses For Columbus
7. A Norman Soldier
8. Dreaming With Alice (verses 4-5)
9. Dreaming With Alice (verse 6)
10. Lute and Flute
11. Dreaming With Alice (verse 7)
12. Down Narrow Streets
13. Dreaming With Alice (verse 8)
14. Mandolin Man
15. Dreaming With Alice (verses 9-10)
16. Rehtorb Ym No Hcram

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Loudest Whisper - Children of Lir 1974

2009-10-04T20:23:00.007+02:00

This psychedelic folk classic was recorded in 1974, and has gone on to become one of the rarest records ever issued in Ireland. It's hardly surprising, as it's a wonderful progressive folk concept album, with mystical atmosphere and mellow vocals. A glorious mixture of catchy melodies, soaring harmonies and biting acid guitar.

Tracks
1. Overture
2. Lir’s Lament
3. Good Day, My Friend
4. Wedding Song
5. Children’s Song
6. Mannanan I
7. Mannanan II
8. Children Of The Dawn
9. Dawning Of The Day
10. Septimus
11. Farewell Song
12. Cold Winds Blow
13. Sad Children

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Anne Briggs - Hazards of Love EP 1963

2009-10-04T18:53:00.008+02:00

There are few female folk singers with the natural talent of Anne Briggs, and although she never became a major star (mostly because she wasn't interested) it is difficult to overstate her influence on the British folk scene of the '60s and '70s. (i.e. Pentangle, Fairport Convention). Discovered in a local club in 1962 before she had even turned 18, she was soon touring all over the British Isles, living the troubador's life and influencing a generation of young folk musicians wherever she went.

This is Anne Briggs first appearance on a record of her own, and the only vinyl release of these songs. On this four track EP she sings traditional english folk songs, totally unaccompanied. Very fragile and beautiful.

Recorded by Bill Leader at Olympic Sound Studios, London in 1963
Recording supervised by Paul Carter
Produced by A.L. Lloyd
Cover photograph by Brian Shuel

Musicians
Anne Briggs - vocals

Tracks

1. Lowlands
2. My Bonny Boy
3. Polly Vaughan
4. Rosemary Lane

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Tucker Zimmerman - Ten Songs by 1969

2009-09-12T21:03:00.008+02:00

San Franciscan Tucker Zimmerman wound up in the UK and fell in with fellow US expat Tony Visconti (soon to find fame and fortune with David Bowie and T. Rex). His debut LP is a mixture of bluesy rock, folk and skewed, oddly affecting ballades, backed by Shawn Phillips, Rick Wakeman and Aynsley Dunbar (with Visconti on bass). Released in the UK on Regal Zonophone.

Tracks
1 Bird Lives
2 October Mornings
3 A Face That Hasn't Sold Out
4 The Roadrunner
5 Children of Fear
6 The Wind Returns Into the Night
7 Running, Running From Moment to Moment
8 Upsidedown Circus World
9 Blue Goose
10 Alpha Centuri

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Fotheringay - Fotheringay 1970

2009-08-30T20:47:00.009+02:00

This folk-rock group was formed by Australian Trevor Lucas when his previous group Eclection split. His then girlfriend, Sandy Denny, left Fairport Convention to set up the new band with him. However, despite Sandy being at the peak of her popularity - she was voted Britain's No 1 girl singer in a Melody Maker poll in 1970 - the band was relatively short-lived, lasting from March 1970 - January 1971, because it didn't enjoy the commercial success one might have expected. Sandy then embarked on a solo career before rejoining Fairport Convention in 1974. Donahue, Conway and Donaldson (who'd previously been with Zoot Money) became part of Mick Greenwood's backing group and Trevor Lucas became a producer for Island Records.

The Fotheringay album is by now considered to capture Denny's vocals at their best. Trevor Lucas (her husband) also sings on a lot of the tracks and provides a distinct contrast to her vocals. Sandy is probably at her very best on the exquisite traditional song Banks Of The Nile.

Tracks
1. Nothing More
2. The Sea
3. The Ballad of Ned Kelly
4. Winter Winds
5. Peace in the End
6. The Way I Feel
7. The Pond and the Stream
8. Too Much of Nothing
9. Banks of the Nile

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Agincourt - Fly Away 1970

2009-08-30T19:48:00.005+02:00

An ultra-rare privately-pressed album by the same group of people responsible for Alice Through The Looking Glass, Ithaca and Tomorrow Come Some Day.

This particular album is folkier than Ithaca, for example, but like the latter still has a strong Moody Blues influence, particularly on the best track Through The Eyes Of A Lifetime, which begins with a poem and ends with some lovely piano-dominated instrumentation. The opening cut When I Awoke is a very pleasant folky number with some lovely female vocals. Next up is Though I May Be Dreaming, which has a gorgeous acoustic guitar intro and more delicious female vocals. There's some nice flute work on instrumental Joy In The Finding, Dawn and Kind Sir. All My Life is a nice piano-led piece with a spooky sounding ending.

Personnel
Peter Howell - acoustic & classical guitars, mandolin, piano & organ, recorder, percussion
John Ferdinando - vocals & vocalizes, electric, acoustic & bass guitars, autoharp
Lee Menelaus - vocals & backing vocals

Tracks
1. When I Awoke
2. Though I May Be Dreaming
3. Get Together
4. Joy In The Finding
5. Going Home
6. All My Life
7. Mirabella
8. Take Me There
9. Lisa
10. Dawn
11. Barn Owl Blues
12. Kind Sir
13. Through The Eyes Of A Lifetime (i)The Poem (ii)Peace Of Mind (iii) Closing In

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Bill Fay - Time of the Last Persecution 1971

2009-08-10T20:42:00.007+02:00

This is the fantastic second and final LP by progressive folk singer Bill Fay. Released 1971 on the Deram label. The lyrics often tackle religion, in a questioning and poetic way. They certainly cover many of the complex questions of humanity. One of the more fascinating singer-songwriter records of the early 70s.

‘Another rather tuneless singer who writes his own songs, Londoner Bill Fay is 28 and has the right sound in his voice for today’s folk tunes… He plays piano and is backed by a six-piece at times, including guitarist Ray Russell, who helped produce his second LP, which is versatile and interesting’ – NME, 20/2/71

Tracks

1. Omega Day
2. Don't Let My Marigolds Die
3. I Hear You Calling
4. Dust Filled Room
5. 'Til the Christ Come Back
6. Release Is in the Eye
7. Laughing Man
8. Inside the Keepers Pantry
9. Tell It Like It Is
10. Plan D
11. Pictures of Adolf Again
12. Time of the Last Persecution
13. Come a Day
14. Let All the Other Teddies Know

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The Nice - Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack 1967

2009-08-10T20:26:00.002+02:00

The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack is the 1967 debut album by the English psychedelic rock and progressive rock group The Nice. It is considered one of the first albums in the latter genre.
The name Emerlist Davjack is a pseudonym created by combining the last names of the four members of the group; Keith Emerson, David O'List, Brian Davison, and Lee Jackson.
The album was promoted by a sampler featuring a commentary by John Peel, which included the following comments:

1967 was a strange year for pop music with groups experimenting with new
sounds and bouncing on and off bandwagons with dizzying speed and agility. They
were calling themselves ridiculous names and regretting it shortly. The Nice
came together in a void and will be here when the others are in pantomime in
Wolverhampton.

The cover, photographed by Gered Mankowitz, shows members of the band apparently unclothed except for being wrapped in cellophane. Originally released on Andrew Oldham’s Immediate label in december 1967.

Tracks
1. Flower King Of Flies
2. The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack
3. Bonnie K
4. Rondo
5. War And Peace
6. Tantalising Maggie
7. Dawn
8. The Cry Of Eugene

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Chris Britton - As I Am 1969

2009-07-14T01:27:00.005+02:00

As guitarist for the Troggs, Chris Britton made important contributions to the raw British Invaders' sound with his crunchy, wiry style. Though Reg Presley was the Troggs' principal lead singer and songwriter, Britton also took occasional lead vocals and wrote a bit of material on their records, the odd primitive buzzing psychedelia of "Maybe the Madman" and the sultry midtempo rocker "Say Darlin'" (both used on 1968 B-sides) being the highlights in that respect. It's not even too well-known by many big Troggs fans that Britton did an obscure solo LP in 1969, As I Am. A varied batch of period British psychedelic pop songs, sung by Britton in his idiosyncratic, diffidently cool and amused style.

Tracks
1. Sit Down Beside Me
2. Will It Last
3. That Was The Time
4. No Sense In Fighting
5. Maybe Time Will Change You
6. Fly With Me
7. If You Really Care
8. Run And Hide
9. How Do You Say Goodbye
10. Sleep My Love
11. Why Did I Let You Go
12. Evil Woman
13. Learn To Love Life You’ll Be Living

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Barclay James Harvest - Barclay James Harvest 1970

2009-07-08T08:39:00.006+02:00

Barclay James Harvest self-titled debut album was released in mid 1970 to positive reviews, but few sales. Released on the progressively inclined label of Harvest.

The album sounds like a mix of Moody Blues, Pretty Things and late 60’s Procol Harum. A great album that is not to be missed, pitched half way between the psych and prog eras.

This is what Disc & Music Echo wrote in 1970:

A very excellent album, with an incredibly full, lush sound, which at times
sounds rather like a film score for a mammoth spectacular... Very good
listening, stimulating and very melodic.

Tracks
1. Taking Some Time On
2. Mother Dear
3. The Sun Will Never Shine
4. When the World Was Woken
5. Good Love Child
6. The Iron Maiden
7. Dark Now My Sky

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Duncan Browne - Give Me Take You 1968

2009-06-12T00:10:00.009+02:00

Duncan Browne’s album stands as irrefutable evidence that the later 60s was an era of British musical growth and excellence. Released on former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham’s eclectic Immediate label, Give Me Take You never enjoyed the attention it so richly deserved. Browne’s gentle songs draw from a world of theatrical references, Latin and public school choral societies, and deliver their stories wrapped in melodic acoustic guitar washes backed by imaginative string and vocal harmony arrangements.

Compared to Paul McCartney, Donovan and the Moody Blues, Duncan later joined the power-pop band Metro.

Tracks
1. Give Me Take You
2. Ninepence Worth of Walking
3. Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale)
4. The Ghost Walks
5. Waking You (Part one)
6. Chloe in the Garden
7. Waking You (Part two)
8. On the Bombsite
9. I Was, You Weren't
10. Gabilan
11. Alfred Bell
12. The Death of Neil

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Various Artists - Songs of the March Hare

2009-06-07T15:31:00.017+02:00

Hello music lovers. Now it's finally here. A brand new psych packed collection of obscurities from the vaults of Peppermint Store. This time it's my dear friend the March Hare who collected his favorit tracks. Songs of the March Hare is the fifth compilation released here on my blog. Hope you all like it!

Check out my previous compilations:
Peppermint Store -Vol 1.
In the Magic Garden of Peppermint Store
Wizard's Dream
Out of the Mad Hat

Tracks
1. Tea & Symphony - Armchair Theatre 1969
2. Acid Gallery - Dance Round the Maypole 1969
3. The End - Cardboard Watch 1968
4. Mushroom - Devil Among The Tailors 1973
5. Rainbow Ffolly - Sighing Game 1968
6. Mayfly - Blue Sofa 1972
7. Heron - Little Boy 1970
8. Syd Barrett - Octopus 1970
9. Fairport Convention - The Deserter 1969
10. Bridget St. John - Seagull Sunday 1971
11. Beacon Street Union - Angus Of Aberdeen 1968
12. Tony, Caro & John - Waltz for a Spaniel 1972
13. Wil Malone - Down Maundies 1970
14. Billy Nicholls - Come Again 1968
15. Jackie McAuley - Turning Green 1971

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Marc Brierley - EP 1966

2009-05-31T14:05:00.007+02:00

This is the debut EP from Marc Brierley. Released 1966 on Transatlantic (TRA EB 147). The Transatlantic EP is the most dark and stripped-down of all the material he recorded, featuring just Marc Brierley's voice and an acoustic guitar. Donovan's early recordings must have been a big influence.

Recorded 1966 Wessex Sound Studio London

Produced by Nathan Joseph

Cover photo and design by Brian Shuel

Tracks:
1. Time For Love
2. Dragonfly
3. Arctic City
4. Rel's Song
5. If You Leave Me Now

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Wooden O - A Handful of Pleasant Delites 1969

2009-05-24T13:11:00.012+02:00

An obscure and rare record from this folk act led by James Harpham, (who plays the recorder, an ancient flute-like instrument) A Handful Of Pleasant Delites was originally released by Middle Earth in 1969 – the same label as Arcanum and Writing On The Wall – and featured an interesting blend of acoustic folk, baroque medleys, jazz improvisations and experimental music constantly shifting from pastoral atmospheres to urban neurosis.

Side A:

The Lesson:
1. Toye Tune
2. Pipe Tune
3. Sad Tune
4. Dance Tune
5. Sick Tune
6. Walking Tune
7. Concerto (J.S. Bach, arr. Harpham)

Side B:

Lover's Progress:
1. Maypole
2. Overture
3. Sweet-Bedded
4. Arise
5. Fayne Would
6. It Was
7. Away

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Jade - Fly On Strange Wings 1970

2009-05-23T21:13:00.016+02:00

This little known UK Folk Rock classic released in the early '70s. Issued in England under the band name "Jade", it's a fantastic album featuring the Sandy Denny like vocals of Marian Segal. Orchestrated, melodic songs, powerful folk rock with electric guitar harpsichord, and soaring vocal harmonies, this has to be up in the top ten UK folk rock albums of the period.

‘There is enough that is strange and beautiful on this first album to indicate that Jade have talent… The lyrics avoid many of the usual clichés and, I should imagine, spring from deeply-felt personal experiences, but musically some of the songs are not as strong as they might be’
– Melody Maker, 1/8/70

1. Amongst Anenomes
2. Raven
3. Fly on Strangewings
4. Mayfly
5. Alan's Song
6. Bad Magic
7. Clippership
8. Five of Us
9. Reflections on a Harbour Wall
10. Mrs. Adams
11. Fly Me to the North
12. Away from the Family

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Pussy - Pussy Plays 1969

2009-04-05T18:07:00.005+02:00

This band was originally known as Fortes Mentum. Their album is one of the very best of the British progressive rock ultra-rarities. A five-piece band, whose complete personnel remain unknown. The album's a real gem. It kicks off with Come Back June, a keyboard-driven rock number, which is followed by one of their finest, All Of My Life. With its unusual, melodramatic vocals and fine keyboard arrangements it's well worth getting to hear.

‘Pussy is apparently the name of the group, though it’s by no means clear from the sleeve. The music is an amalgam of just about every underground cliché and ‘poetic-cum-significant’ lyric you’ve ever heard’ – Melody Maker, 12/4/69

Tracks
1. Come Back June
2. All Of My Life
3. We Built The Sun
4. Comets
5. Tragedy In F.Minor
6. The Open Ground
7. Everybody’s Song
8. G.E.A.B.

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Reissued on vinyl (Akarma AK 288LP) and on CD (Akarma AK 288CD).

Beacon Street Union - The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens 1968

2009-04-04T00:04:00.006+02:00

The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens is the second album from Beacon Street Union, a psychedelic rock group based in Boston, Mass. Originally released in 1968 on MGM. Their second album mixes acid rock, blues and ballads. The back cover of this album pictures the band walking on top of a cloud and their strange music was undoubtedly largely drug-influenced.

Tracks
1. The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens
2. The Clown's Overture
3. Angus of Aberdeen
4. Blue Suede Shoes
5. A Not Very August Afternoon
6. Now I Taste the Tears
7. King of the Jungle
8. May I Light Your Cigarette
9. Baby Please Don't Go

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Wooden Horse - Wooden Horse 1972

2009-04-02T23:09:00.007+02:00

This is the rare 1972 debut from this fine UK hippy band who mixed acoustic folk and electric rock to create a sound similar to Tudor Lodge, Story Teller etc. Lead singer Susan Traynor was later known as Noosha Fox - but this music far overshadows anything from that later more commercial era. Great male/female harmonies.

Tracks
1. Crazy Thoughts
2. Wake Me in the Morning
3. Trees
4. Northern Beaches
5. This Is a Song
6. Broken Bottles
7. Eastbound Train
8. Gentle Mind
9. Come Around
10. Feel
11. Letter
12. Loving Men

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Peelers - Banished Misfortune 1972

2009-03-15T10:06:00.007+01:00

An Irish hippie folk-rock outfit who redid mostly traditional songs like the title cut on their album, which is now extremely rare and sought-after by fans of the genre. Recorded in 1972.

A highprised collectable item in it's original vinyl format, coming with special needlework sleeve design. A timeless collection of songs with a haunting feel created by a plethora of instrumentation including mandolin, dulcimer, concertina, harmonium , etc.

Tracks
1. Dalesman's Litany
2. Old Woman In Cotton
3. Ramblin' Robin
4. Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore
5. Bleacher Lassie
6. Broken Down Squatter
7. The Night Before Larry Was Stretched
8. Banished Misfortune
9. Spancil Hill
10. Schoolday's End

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The End - The End 1968

2009-03-15T10:01:00.007+01:00

Introspection is a lost nugget from the psychedelic era of the late 60s, produced by bassist Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones, with Nicky Hopkins & Charlie Watts as guests. This is one of the most important of all the great psychedelic albums of the late Sixties: great songs, lovely vibes, a psychedelic masterpiece of vibrant guitars and compositions!

Originally released on DECCA in 1969

Tracks
1. Dreamworld
2. Under The Rainbow
3. Shades Of Orange
4. Bromley Common
5. Cardboard Watch
6. Introspection - Part One
7. What Does It Feel Like?
8. Linen Draper
9. Don't Take Me
10. Loving , Sacred Loving
11. She Said Yeah
12. Jacob's Bladder
13. Introspection - Part Two

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Open Mind - Open Mind 1969

2009-03-15T00:00:00.004+01:00

One of the best-loved British psychedelic albums of all time, The Open Mind is a hard-rocking collection that sold in minute numbers on its original release in 1969.

The band was formed in the mid 1960s by four musicians from Putney, South London. Initially named The Drag Set, they released a little-known single in February 1967, "Day and Night"/"Get Out of My Way". Shortly thereafter, they changed their name to The Open Mind and in July 1969 released a self-titled LP which has since become a highly sought-after collectible. The band, however, is best known for its druggy August 1969 single, "Magic Potion", which did not appear on the album.

Personnel
Mike Brancaccio - guitar, vocals
Timothy du Feu - bass guitar
Phil Fox - drums
Terry Martin, a.k.a. Terry Schindler - guitar, vocals

(Jon Anderson briefly sang in the band but left to form Yes.)

Tracks
1. Dear Louise
2. Try Another Day
3. I Feel the Same Way Too
4. My Mind Cries
5. Can't You See?
6. Thor the Thunder God
7. Horses and Chariots
8. Before My Time
9. Free as the Breeze
10. Girl I'm So Alone
11. Soul and My Will
12. Falling Again

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Maureeny Wishfull - The Maureeny Wishfull Album 1968

2009-03-01T10:27:00.009+01:00

This is a very rare privately-pressed album featuring Jimmy Page, John Williams and Big Jim Sullivan. Released on the Moonshine label with pre-Zeppelin Jimmy on guitar and sitar and described as psychedelic folk. Rumoured to have been just 300 or so copies pressed, this legendary piece is one of the great Page/Zeppelin-linked collectors items. John Williams had earlier recorded a solo album and a couple of 45s.

Tracks
1. Maureeny Wishfull
2. To Something New
3. I Must Fly
4. I Know, You Know Too
5. Another Winter, Another Spring
6. City Blues
7. Gypsy Girl & The Poor Boy
8. Early Bird Of Morning
9. London Town
10. Sally You've Been On The Game Too Long
11. Dream Cloudburst
12. And She Is My True Love
13. Five Verses For My Love
14. C'mon Train

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Idle Race - Time Is 1971

2009-02-22T15:08:00.007+01:00

Time Is is the final studio album by The Idle Race. Recorded in 1971 after Jeff Lynne had left the band to join Roy Wood in The Move. The post-Jeff Lynne version of the Idle Race is very different from the band's two previous albums. It's psychedelic-tinged folk, light on the psych, heavy on the folk. Their flute embellishment on various songs gives them a vaguely progressive sound as well; coupled with their basic acoustic guitar sound and harmony singing. Released on Regal Zonophone.

Tracks
1. Dancing Flower
2.Sad O' Sad
3. The Clock
4. I Will See You
5. By The Sun
6. Alcatraz
7. And The Rain
8. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune
9. Bitter Green
10. We Want It All

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Octopus - Restless Night 1969

2009-02-22T15:07:00.006+01:00

Octopus sole 1969 LP Restless Night is something of a treasure among 60s Brit-psych fans due to its mixture of proto-progressive riffs, accomplished pop tunes and sparkling Beatlesque flourishes. The album, which was produced by Tony Murray of The Troggs who discovered them, is now extremely rare. Musically we're talking pretty commercial pop/rock with just the occasional hint of psychedelia.

Tracks
1. The River
2. Summer
3. Council Plans
4. Restless Night
5. Thief
6. Queen and the Pauper
7. I Say
8. Johns' Rock
9. Rainchild
10. Tide

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Jackie McAuley - Same 1971

2009-02-22T15:06:00.005+01:00

McAuley, who grew up in Belfast, is best known as the piano player in Them, who relocated to LA without Van Morrison in 1967. Upon Them's demise, he formed Belfast Gypsies with his brother Pat (they also released a 45 under the name Freaks Of Nature) and he later moved to Dublin and formed a band called Cult, with Brendan Bonass and Paul Brady (who was later in Planxty). This proved to be a short-lived affair and before long McAuley was back in London, playing in a new band, Trader Horne, which he'd formed with Fairport Convention's original lead singer Judy Dyble. This interesting group fell apart when Dyble left to get married and McAuley then recorded this solo album with help from some of the best young jazz musicians of the time. All the material was self-penned except for a version of Leadbelly's Poor Howard.

Personnel
Jackie McAuley - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Roy Babbington - Bass
Pete Hossell - Jug
Henry Lowther - Violin, Horn
Mike McNaught - Keyboards
Tony Roberts - Flute
Mike Travis - Drums

Tracks
1. Turning Green
2. Boy on the Bayou
3. Country Joe
4. Cameraman, Wils and Holmes
5. Spanish Room
6. It's Alright
7. Poor Howard
8. Away
9. Bangerine
10. Ruby Farm
11. Rockin Shoes
12. One Fine Day

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Ora - Ora 1969

2009-02-22T00:15:00.008+01:00

1969 UK original private pressed 12-track LP on the Tangerine label. This album is effectively a collection of demos from a band that would evolve to become Byzantium. Very few copies were pressed ensuring its status as an ultra rarity. Musically it features a number of whimsical, haunting songs and one piece of frenzied psychedelia entitled 'Whitch', the main reason behind this album's immense collectability. All tracks contain vocals, some feature just acoustic guitar and gentle percussion while 'Fly' has plenty of rhythm guitar and some great electric guitar leads. Overall this is an album of beautiful songs.

The album was also issued in Germany under the name Knick Knacks (Metronome SMLR 332) 1971.

Tracks!
1. Seashore
2. About You
3. Deborah
4. Whitch
5. Venetia II
6. You
7. Fly
8. Ladyfriend
9. Are You Seeing
10. Emma's Saga
11. The Morning After The Night Before
12. The Seagull And The Sailor

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McGough and McGear - Same 1968

2009-02-07T23:34:00.009+01:00

Roger McGough was one of the UK's top poets. He recorded this now extremely rare album with Mike McGear whilst both were members of Scaffold. With originals so hard to come by, it has inevitably been counterfeited prior to its welcome reissue. The album featured many famous names including Jimi Hendrix, Spencer Davis, Dave Mason, Paul McCartney, John Mayall and Gary Walker. It's a mixture of McGear's poems typified by Summer With Monika and some melodic McGear pop songs. Among the best of these are Ex-Art Student which has Jimi Hendrix playing guitar and sitar and Graham Nash on vocals. The duo were actually signed to the new Apple label for this album, but since the label hadn't been launched it was leased to Parlophone!

Tracks:
1. So much
2. Little bit of heaven
3. Basement flat
4. From: »Frink, a life in the day of« and »Summer with Monika« - Prologue Introducing
a) Moanin‘b) Anji
5. From: »Frink, a life in the day of« and »Summer with Monika« - Epilogue
6. Come close and sleep now
7. Yellow book
8. House in my head
9. Mr. Tickle
10. Living room
11. Do you remember
12. Please don‘t run too fast
13. Ex art student

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Moths - Moths 1969

2009-02-02T21:00:00.004+01:00

This is an ultra-rare and sought-after privately-pressed album of mellow folk-rock which was originally issued in a plain white sleeve with an insert. In fact, there was only one copy of it originally issued. There are lots of Bob Dylan and Tim Buckley covers and musically the framework is built around acoustic guitars, bongos and flutes. The only original song is Heron's Daughter, which lent its title when it was reissue. The picture shows the original label (to the right) and the album cover of the reissue (to the left).

John Ellis - vocals, guitar
Mike Jones - vocals, guitar
John Dunn - vocals, bass
Neil Cawley - flute
John Beazer – bongos

Tracks
1. I Am Lonely (Jansch) - vocal, JE (with MJ)
2. The Heron (Ellis) - JE.
3. Travelling Song (Jansch) - MJ (with JE)
4. I Shall Be Released (Dylan) - JD (with MJ)
5. Phantasmagoria In Two (Buckley) - MJ
6. Empty Pocket Blues (Clive Palmer) - JE
7. Running From Home (Jansch) - MJ and JEA
8. Stupid Song (Ellis) - JE
9. Dreams Of Love (Jansch) - MJ and JE
10. Be My Friend (David Ackles) – MJ

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Bridget St John - Songs for the Gentle Man 1971

2009-01-27T22:24:00.010+01:00

Songs for the Gentle Man is the second album by the British singer-songwriter Bridget St John. Originally released on the Dandelion label in 1971.

Bridget's first album Ask Me No Questions largely consisted of voice and guitar only but for this recording producer Ron Geesin very sparingly added strings, woodwind, brass and other guitars to Bridget's voice and guitar. The songs themselves are stronger and more melodic on this album. Songs are largely written by St John although there are versions of John Martyn's "Back To Stay" and Donovan's "The Pebble And The Man".

This is recommended to fans of more introspective folky artists such as Vashti Bunyan and Nick Drake.

She stopped recording in 1974 and emigrated to the USA. Little has been heard of her since but she was a backing vocalist on Mike Oldfield's Anorak album.

Tracks

1. A Day Away
2. City-Crazy
3. Early Morning Song
4. Back To Stay
5. Seagull-Sunday
6. If You'd Been There
7. Song For The Laird Of Connaught Hall - Part 2
8. Making Loser Better
9. The Lady And The Gentle Man
10. Downderry Daze
11. The Pebble And The Man
12. It Seems Very Strange

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Ramases - Space Hymns 1971

2009-01-22T20:51:00.010+01:00

Mind blowing UK psychedelia from 1971 from this salesman from Sheffield who believed he was the reincarnation of the Egyptian Pharoah/deity Ramases. Pop-psych clashes with acid drenched madness to create a superb album of hippy rock with moogs, sitars and guitars to the fore! Released on Vertigo.

The cover is to be folded open into a huge six-part poster that shows the rocket lifting off actually being the tower of a church. Wild greens, yellows and reds are boiling underneath. The inside is an impressive giant photograph of Ramases and his wife Sel in violet and white, both wielding a stalk of wheat, one broken and one whole. Spaced out. This fantastic piece of art was made my the great Roger Dean.

Tracks
1. Life Child
2. Hello Mister
3. And The Whole World
4. Quasar One
5. You're The Only One
6. Earth People
7. Molecular Delusions
8. Balloon
9. Dying Swan Year 2000
10. Jesus Come Back
11. Journey To The Inside

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Tea and Symphony - An Asylum for the Musically Insane 1969

2009-01-06T20:39:00.008+01:00

An Asylum for the Musically Insane is the debut album by the psyched-out progressive/folk weirdo ensemble Tea and Symphony. Released on Harvest in 1969.
This is a fine example of English musical eccentricity that's very much in the style of Forest, Dr Strangely Strange and later period Incredible String Band. In turns experimental, progressive and theatrically challenging this is an unusual example of early '70s esoteric progressive/psych music from a bunch of hippy heads.

Personnel
Dave Clempson ('Clem') - guitar
Jeff Daw - flute, guitar, vocals
Gus Dudgeon - drums
James Langston - guitar, vocals, woodwinds
Nigel Phillips - keyboards, vocals, percussion
Bob Lamb - drums

Tracks
1. Armchair Theatre
2. Feel How So Cool The Wind
3. Sometime
4. Maybe My Mind
5. Come On
6. Terror In My Soul
7. Travelling Shoes
8. Winter
9. Nothing Will Come To Noth

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Various Artists - Out of the Mad Hat

2009-01-02T17:37:00.022+01:00

This is Peppermint Store's the fourth volume of folky psychedelic rarities, mostly from the UK. This time I have pulled 15 obscurities out of Mad Hatter's magical hat. You’ll hear rare psych from Wil Malone and Sunforest, laidback acid folk with beautiful Linda Perhacs and Oberon and great folk-rock with Trees and Fuchsia. I hope you all enjoy it!

Check out my previous compilations:
Peppermint Store -Vol 1.
In the Magic Garden of Peppermint Store
Wizard's Dream

Tracks:
1. Peter Howell & John Ferdinando - Alice Theme 1969
2. Duncan Browne - On the Bombsite 1968
3. Wil Malone - Tale to Tell 1970
4. Sunforest - Mr Bumble 1969
5. Linda Perhacs - Chimacum Rain 1970
6. Colin Hare - New Day 1970
7. Oberon - Nottanum Town 1971
8. The Ghost - Hearts and Flowers 1970
9. Mick Softley - You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine 1970
10. Chris Britton - Run and Hide 1969
11. Trees - Polly On the Shore 1970
12. Fuchsia - Me and My Kite 1971
13. Bread Love And Dreams - Brother John 1971
14. Jade - Amongst Anenomes 1970
15. King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade 1970

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Freedom's Children - Battle Hymn Of The Broken Hearted Horde 1969

2008-12-28T17:16:00.006+01:00

This is Freedom's Children's first album, recorded in 1968 in South Africa for EMI/Parlophone. This album has all the wonderful excesses of first class psychedelic rock; beautifully composed songs, spoken words, amazing instrumentation, sound effects, choirs, well-crafted guitar work, great singers etc. Some call Freedom's Children "The Pink Floyd of South Africa," and if the political situation in S.A. at that time would have been easier, they would have had the same status in the international music market as Pink Floyd.

Ramsay MacKay's unusual Scottish/South African accent guides us through this album of contrasts. From the country sounds of "Country Boy" to the Traffic-style rock of "Judas Queen," this album does not let up for a moment. It rocks, it soothes, it challenges, it even refreshes (thanks to the inclusion of an old Pepsi advertisement). A great album and a mind-blowing debut.

Musicians:
Ramsay MacKay: Bass, vocals, narration
Julian Laxton: Guitars
Colin Pratley: Drums
Nic Martens: Keyboards
Pete Clifford: Guitar
Dennis Robertson: Vocals
Stevie van Kerken: Vocals
Peter Vee: Vocals
Brian Davidson: Vocals

Tracks:
1. Season
2. Judas Queen
3. Mrs. Browning
4. Country Boy
5.Your Fathers' Eyes
6. 10 Years Ago
7. Kafkasque
8. Boundsgreen Fair
9. Miss Wendy's Dancing Eyes Have Died

All tracks written by Ramsay MacKay.

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Steeleye Span - Hark! The Village Wait 1970

2008-12-23T15:42:00.006+01:00

Aside from Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span was the most successful and enduring British folk-rock band. The parallels between the bands are numerous: both updated traditional British folk material with rock arrangements, both featured an excellent female lead singer (Sandy Denny for Fairport, Maddy Prior for Steeleye Span), both frequently employed multi-part harmonies, and both mixed original and traditional songs.

Hark! The Village Wait was the their debut album, released in early 1970, shortly after Liege & Lief (by Fairport Convention). The album is the only one to feature the original lineup of the band, as they broke up and reformed with a slightly altered membership immediately after its release, without having ever performed live. Excelent folk-rock.

Personnel
Maddy Prior - vocals
Tim Hart - vocals, electric guitar, electric dulcimer, fiddle, 5-string banjo, harmonium
Ashley Hutchings - bass
Terry Woods - vocals, electric guitar, concertina, mandola, 5-string banjo, mandolin
Gay Woods - vocals, concertina, autoharp, bodhran

Tracks
1. A Calling-on Song (Traditional)
2. The Blacksmith (Traditional)
3. Fisherman's Wife (MacColl)
4. Blackleg Miner (Traditional)
5. Dark-Eyed Sailor (Traditional)
6. Copshawholme Fair (Traditional)
7. All Things Are Quite Silent (Traditional)
8. The Hills Of Greenmore (Traditional)
9. My Johnny Was A Shoemaker (Traditional)
10. Lowlands of Holland (Traditional)
11. Twa Corbies (Traditional)
12. One Night As I Lay On My Bed (Traditional)

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Simon Finn- Pass the Distance 1970

2008-12-10T19:52:00.007+01:00

1970 British dark acid folk classic. Sounding like Tom Rapp on a horror trip, Finn sets out on a journey of nightmarish folk, which knows no appeasement. The mania shining through is greatly enhanced by the ability of multi-instumentalist David Toop to play several different songs simultaneously, seemingly without relation to the songs the other two are playing. Guitars appear in the wrong key, song structure is blissfully ignored. Released on Mushroom records.

Tracks
1. Very Close Fiend
2. Courtyard
3. What a Day
4. Fade (Pass the Distance)
5. Jerusalem
6. Where's Your Master Gone
7. Laughing till Tomorrow
8. Hiawatha9. Patrice
10. Big White Car

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Linda Perhacs - Parallelograms 1970

2008-12-09T22:08:00.008+01:00

Obscure psychedelic folk singer Linda Perhacs released her only album Parallelograms in 1970 on Kapp. Combining fragile and beautifully melodic acid folk with perfectly-rendered electronic effects, this remarkable album consists of what its creator describes as ‘visual music’. Parallelograms has gone on to become one of the most legendary and well-loved recordings of its time.

We could talk about Joni Mitchell and the likes if we had to compare with anything, but fans of folk music in all its variety must be delighted with this amazing album, a truly hippie psychedelic folk masterpiece and without any doubt one of the top albums of the genre.

Tracks:
1. Chimacum Rain
2. Paper Mountain Man
3. Dolphin
4. Call of the River
5. Sandy Toes
6. Parallelograms
7. Hey, Who Really Cares
8. Moons and Cattails
9. Morning Colors
10. Porcelain Baked Cast Iron Wedding
11. Delicious

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Small Faces - Ogdens Nut Gone Flake 1968

2008-11-29T21:56:00.006+01:00

Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake was a successful concept album by the English band Small Faces. Released on Immediate on 24 May 1968 the LP became a number one hit in the UK Album Charts on 29 June where it remained for a total of six weeks. The title and the design of the distinctive packaging was a parody of Ogdens' Nut-brown Flake, a brand of tobacco which was produced in Liverpool from 1899.

The album was originally released on vinyl in a circular novelty package resembling a paper replica of a giant tobacco tin, with a gatefold cover. The award-winning artwork for the album cover was done by Mick Swan who was a product of the sixties art school scene. Any other work by him is unknown but he is known to have worked as a fine arts tutor at Lowestoft F.E. College in 1974.

Story
When Stan looks up in the sky and sees only half the moon, he sets out on a quest to search for the missing half. Along the way he saves a fly from starvation, and in gratitude the insect tells him of someone who can answer his question and also tell him the philosophy of life itself. With his magic power Stan intones, "If all the flies were one fly, what a great enormous fly-follolloper that would bold," and the fly grows to gigantic proportions. Seated on the giant fly's back Stan takes a psychedelic journey to the cave of Mad John the hermit, who explains that the moon's disappearance is only temporary, and demonstrates by pointing out that Stan has spent so long on his quest that the moon is now full again. He then sings Stan a cheerful song about the meaning of life.

Tracks
1. Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow (Of Your Love)
3. Long Agos and Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song of a Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin' Over
9. The Hungry Intruder
10. The Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happydaystoytown

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Jerry Yester & Judy Henske - Farewell Aldebaran 1969

2008-11-29T20:50:00.003+01:00

Late ‘60s folk/psych classic from husband and wife team Jerry Yester and Judy Henske. Yester had previously enjoyed an element of fame courtesy of his stint with The Loving Spoonful, but following the band’s demise in 1969, he set about producing this little gem with acclaimed folk singer Henske and a bunch of pals which were said to have included Ry Cooder and David Lindley.

Farewell Aldebaran, which is often heralded as a one of the most proficient and creative albums of its genre, with Henskey’s incredible range of vocal styles elevating the album to a higher plane. Her mind-blowing vocals on the opening track, the hard-fuzz Snowblind, gives an early clue to Henskey’s talent and range, and although this particular vocal style only features on the one song, the sheer diversity of her singing makes every track on this highly original and experimental album a unique experience.

Yester and Henske attempted to scale the same artistic heights with their next collaboration, Rosebud, but sadly, it was not to be, and Yester, fearing that he had already peaked as a musician, turned his attention to production, working with other Californian bands and singers of the time including The Association, The Turtles, Tim Buckley and Tom Waites.

Tracks
1. Snowblind
2. Horse On A Stick
3. Lullaby
4. St.Nicholas Hall
5. The Three Ravens
6. Raider
7. Mrs Connor
8. Rapture
9. Charity
10. Farewell

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Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow 1968

2008-11-29T19:35:00.005+01:00

S.F. Sorrow is the title of a 1968 LP by the British rock group The Pretty Things. One of the first rock concept albums, S.F. Sorrow was based on a short story by singer-guitarist Phil May. The album is structured as a song cycle, telling the story of the main character, Sebastian F. Sorrow, from birth through love, war, tragedy, madness, and the disillusionment of old age.

Although the album is also a Rock Opera, it has been stated by The Who that it had no major influence on Pete Townshend and his writing of their album Tommy (1969). The songs were recorded over several months during 1967 at EMI's famous Abbey Road Studios in London, during the same period when The Beatles and Pink Floyd were recording Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Piper at the Gates of Dawn respectively.

Working with noted EMI staff producer Norman "Hurricane" Smith (who had engineered the earlier Beatles recordings) and house engineer Peter Mew, the group experimented with the latest sound technology, including the Mellotron and early electronic tone generators, often employing gadgets and techniques devised on the spot by Abbey Road's technicians.

Tracks
1. S F Sorrow Is Born
2. Bracelets Of Fingers
3. She Says Good Morning
4. Private Sorrow
5. Ballroom Burning
6. Death
7. Baron Saturday
8. Journey, The
9. I See You
10. Well Of Destiny
11. Trust
12. Old Man Going
13. Loneliest Person

Bonus tracks:
14. Defecting Grey
15. Mr Evasion

16. Talkin About The Good Times
17. Walking Through My Dreams

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The Koobas - The Koobas 1969

2008-11-22T13:27:00.007+01:00

The Koobas (also known as "Kubas") originated from Liverpool in the wave of groups who came after the Beatles. They produced a string of singles on a variety of labels in the prevailing styles of whatever era the single was released in.

This is the Koobas' one and only LP, a low budget "concept album" of great psychedelic guitar rock with the tracks running together in the most classic 1967/68 mode. Humorous, imaginative and sensitive all at once, it is a clash of moods and sounds: The Small Faces' Ogden's Nut Gone Flake meets The Zombies' via The Pretty Things SF Sorrow. Recorded at the tail-end of their career ('68/'69) this album belies their Merseybeat origins and shows a band capable of developing with verve and originality when given the chance. Recorded in 1969 at Abbey Road with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. Released on Columbia SCX 6271.

Tracks
1. Royston Rose
2. Where Are the Friends?
3. Constantly Changing
4. Here's a Day
5. Fade Forever
6. Barricades
7. A Little Piece of My Heart
8. Gold Leaf Tree

9. Mr. Claire
10. Circus

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Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground 1967

2008-11-18T22:45:00.006+01:00

Psychedelic-folk debut from one of the most erudite, literate minds in rock, Thomas D. Rapp (and the first of his ever-changing Swine). Although the songs here lack some cohesion, this is still a stunning piece of work, from the nightmarish sleeve art — the "Hell Panel" from Hieronymus Bosch's 15th century painting "Garden of Delights" — to the strange yet powerful songs. "Another Time," the most memorable selection, is an understated acoustic song, the first that Rapp ever penned, based on his experience in a horrific car crash where he walked away unscathed. Of similar mood is the beautiful "Ballad of an Amber Lady." "Drop Out" is a straightforward song built around a popular credo of the '60s. "Uncle John" is one of the earliest protest songs about the Vietnam War. Strangest (and funniest) of all is "(Oh Dear) Miss Morse," where Rapp adopts a Victorian persona and sounds out the Morse code spelling of F-U-C-K, accompanied by banjo and Farfisa organ.

Considering Rapp's fascination with history, it's not surprising that one of the songs here, "I Shall Not Care," features a co-writer credit to "Roman Tombs." The cryptic words that comprise this song's title were discovered on a tomb that dates to the final days of the Roman Empire.

- Peter Kurtz, allmusic.com

Tracks

1. Another Time
2. Playmate - Pearls Before Swine, Dowell, Saxie
3. Ballad to an Amber Lady
4. (Oh Dear) Miss Morse
5. Drop Out!
6. Morning Song
7. Regions of May
8. Uncle John
9. I Shall Not Care
10. The Surrealist Waltz

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Oberon - Midsummer Night’s Dream 1971

2008-11-09T19:09:00.003+01:00

Released in 1971 in only 150 copies on the small Acorn label, Oberon’s Midsummer Night’s Dream is not only one of the rarest folkrock records to ever see the light in the UK but is also considered one of the top works in its genre. This is folk-psych in medieval tradition. Flutes, violins and guitars meander serenely amidst haunting vocals creating a macabre atmosphere.

Oberon were a seven-piece outfit:
Chris Smith - guitars
Julian Smedley - violin/vocals
Charles Seaward - flute
Jan Scrimgeour - guitar/vocals
Nick Powell - percussion
Bernie Birchall - bass
Robin Clutterbuck - guitar/ female vocals

Tracks
1. Nottanum Town
2. Peggy
3. The Hunt
4. Syrinx Side
5. Summertime
6. Time Past, Time Come
7. Minas Tirith
8. Epitaph

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Apple - An Apple a Day 1969

2008-11-01T16:43:00.005+01:00

Nothing to do with the Beatles of course, these Cardiff based psychedelic rockers unleashed three singles in 1968 on the Page One label that failed to attract new listeners. Their debut album was also their swansong; they split up shortly after its release in 1969. Of course, as time rolled by their singles were considered classics of the psychedelic era and began to rise in value. Produced by Caleb Quaye.

Tracks
1. Let`s Take A Trip Down The Rhine
2. Doctor Rock
3. The Otherside
4. Mr.Jones
5. The Mayville Line
6. Queen Of Hearts Blues
7. Rock Me Baby
8. Buffalo Billycan
9. Photograph
10. Psycho Daisies
11. Sporting Life
12. Pretty Girl Love You

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Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief 1969

2008-10-26T23:07:00.008+01:00

The fourth album from the Fairport Convention, originally released in December 1969, is considered by many to be the paramount of British folk-rock. After three solid albums of folk-rock that only hinted at their British roots, Liege & Lief is the first Fairport record to fully and completely embrace their home country. They roll through no less than four traditional British folk songs including an incredible reading of "Tam Lin" along with quality originals that pay tribute to and expand on their rich tradition. This is the last Fairport Convention record to feature core members Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings, and though it is decidedly British it is an absolute classic of electric folk-rock of any variety. Released on Island (ILPS 9115). Produced once again by Joe Boyd.

Personnel
Sandy Denny - vocals
Dave Swarbrick - fiddle, viola
Richard Thompson - electric & acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Simon Nicol - electric, 6-string & 12-string acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Ashley Hutchings - bass guitar, backing vocals
Dave Mattacks - drums, percussion

Tracks
1. Come All Ye
2. Reynardine
3.Matty Groves
4. Farewell, Farewell
5. The Deserter
6. Medley: The Lark In The Morning/Rakish Paddy/The Foxhunter’s Gig/Toss T
7. Tam Lin
8. Crazy Man Michael

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Fuchsia - Fuchsia 1971

2008-10-26T22:17:00.005+01:00

This is the only album by the obscure British folk/prog band Fuchsia. It was released in 1971 on the Pegasus label and it's one of the most unusual and precious gems of the genre. The band was a sextet led by guitarist and singer Tony Durant, bassist Michael Day and drummer Michael Gregory. The other three members were female string players (two violins and cello), who also provided delightful backing vocals. This unusual and original lineup created a totally unique sound, mixing elements of prog, folk-rock and chamber music.

Tracks
1. Gone With the Mouse
2. A Tiny Book
3. Another Nail
4. Shoes and Ships
5. The Nothing Song
6. Me and My Kite
7. Just Anyone

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The Gods - Genesis 1968

2008-10-21T22:22:00.006+02:00

Genesis is the debut album by the British band The Gods. The LP was recorded in 1968 and released that same year on Columbia SCX 6286. They played a typical late-'60s British psychedelia filled with hammond organ, mellotron and distorted guitars. The wonderful album artwork was designed by Hipgnosis.

Line-up
Ken Hensley- keyboards, vocals
Joe Konas - guitars, vocals
John Glascock - bass, vocals
Lee Kerslake - drums, vocals

Tracks
1. Towards The Skies
2. Candles Getting Shorter
3. You're My Life
4. Looking Glass
5. Misleading Colours
6. Radio Show
7. Plastic Horizon
8. Farthing Man
9. I Never Know
10. Time And Eternity

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Rainbow Ffolly - Sallies Fforth 1968

2008-10-21T21:22:00.008+02:00

Rainbow Ffolly were an English psychedelic pop band who released only one LP, Sallies Fforth, in 1968. Their only single, Drive My Car, failed to garner much success on the charts, and they disbanded shortly thereafter. A beautiful album with a great psych cover, painted by John Dunsterville (also the songwriter) with a little help from his wife jane.

Personnel
Jonathan Dunsterville - Guitar, Vocals
Richard Dunsterville - Vocals, Guitar
Roger Newell - Bass, Vocals
Stewart Osborn - Drums, Vocals

Tracks
1. She's Alright
2. I'm So Happy
3. Montgolfier
4. Drive My Car
5. Goodbye
6. Hey You
7. Sun Sing
8. Sun & Sand
9. Labour Exchange
10. They'm
11. No
12. Sighing Game
13. Come On Go

Bonus tracks:
14. Go Girl (mono single version)
15. Drive My Car (mono single version)

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Tyrannosaurus Rex - A Beard of Stars 1970

2008-10-12T19:15:00.004+02:00

A Beard of Stars is the fourth album by Tyrannosaurus Rex and the first with new partner Mickey Finn, produced by Tony Visconti. Bolan replaced Steve Peregrin Took with bongo player Mickey Finn, who would remain with Bolan until 1975. Unlike Took, Finn had no song writing aspirations and Tony Visconti commented he was not so talented as Took, "Mickey wasn't as inventive as Steve. Mickey's backing vocals weren't strong, so Marc would double-track them with his own voice for reinforcement". It is notable for the beginning of Bolan using electric instruments on the T.Rex albums.

Tacks:
1. Prelude
2. A Daye Laye
3. Woodland Bop
4. Fist Heart Mighty Dawn Dart
5. Pavillions Of The Sun
6. Organ Blues
7. By The Light Of The Magical Moon
8. Wind Cheetah
9. A Beard Of The Stars
10. Great Horse
11. Dragon's Ear
12. Lofty Skies
13. Dove
14. Elemental Child

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Wil Malone - Wil Malone 1970

2008-10-01T21:38:00.014+02:00

Wil Malone is the extremely rare and hard to find psych album from 1970 by Wilson Malone, ex-member of psychedelic outfits Orange Bicycle and Motherlight. According to music industry legend the LP was only available for two months in 1970 and sold in the region of 200 copies, it is also said that fewer than 30 copies have been known to exist or offered for sale in the last 20 years. An original copy sold recently at ebay for £2.150!!! Released on Fontana, catalogue number STL5541.

This superb record is reminiscent of a psychedelic Donovan but with a more baroque/pop feel. Using simple arrangements of cello, flute bass and acoustic guitar Wil Malone gently recites his fragile pastoral folk-like songs that are embellished with a beautiful production and the odd subtle studio effect (such as on the ghostly and trippy "Love In the Afternoon") A true forgotten classic somewhere in the no man's land between psychedelia and singer songwriter.

Cover artwork by the great Vertigo artist Keef.

Tracks

1. Catherine Wheel
2. I Could Write a Book
3. February Face
4. Love in the Afternoon
5. Winter in Boston
6. Caravan
7. Down Maundies
8. Suzy
9. Tale to Tell
10. One More Flight to Parker
11. At the Silver Slipper
12. How About Then

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Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs 1972

2008-09-28T14:44:00.007+02:00

Originally released on Deram in 1972 this progressive folk album has now become a major classic and definitely lives up to the hype.This Irish progressive folk album has loads of soaring guitar, sweeping bass, twin female vocals and waves of mellotron that create a deep, mystical yet melancholic atmosphere.

An extraordinary record and a folk-prog masterpiece, lead female singers Clodagh Simonds and Alison O'Donnell harmonise beautifully over dynamic, piano-led arrangements. Sadly, Mellow Candle's only album died a death upon release.

Tracks:
1. Heaven Heath
2. Sheep Season
3. Silversong
4. The Poet and the Witch
5. Messenger Birds
6. Dan the Wing
7. Reverend Sisters
8. Break Your Token
9. Buy or Beware
10. Vile Excesses
11. Lonely Man
12. Boulders On My Grave

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Family - Music in a Doll's House 1968

2008-09-28T12:52:00.004+02:00

Music in a Doll's House is the debut album by English rock group Family, released in July 1968. The album, which was mainly produced by Dave Mason of Traffic, features a number of complex musical arrangements contributing to its ambitious psychedelic sound. The album is filled with backward mellotrons, violin feedback, trumpets, psychedellic phasing and Roger Chapman's vibrato vocals.

The Beatles had originally intended to use the title A Doll's House for the album they were recording during 1968. The release of Family's similarly titled debut then prompted them to adopt the minimalist title The Beatles for what is now more commonly referred to as The White Album.

Personnel:
Roger Chapman – lead vocals, harmonica, tenor saxophone
John "Charlie" Whitney – lead guitar, steel guitar
Jim King – tenor and soprano saxophone, harmonica, vocals
Ric Grech – bass guitar, violin, cello, vocals
Rob Townsend – drums, percussion

Tracks:
1. The Chase
2. Mellowing Grey
3. Never Like This
4. Me My Friend
5. Variation On A Theme Of Hey Mr. Policeman
6. Winter
7. Old Songs New Songs
8. Variation On A Theme Of The Breeze
9. Hey Mr. Policeman
10. See Through Windows
11. Variation On A Theme Of Me My Friend
12. Peace Of Mind
13. Voyage
14. The Breeze
15. 3 X Time

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Various Artists - The Wizard's Dream

2008-09-15T22:00:00.013+02:00

Wizard's Dream is the third volume in Peppermint Store’s ongoing series of compilations with mind-blowing music. This time it's the wizard that will blow you mind. With strange tales and high times he'll guide you through the murky mists of Peppermint Store. Released on Mad Hatter Records.

Your most humble and obedient servant
Mad Hatter

Check out my previous compilations:
Peppermint Store -Vol 1.
In the Magic Garden of Peppermint Store

Tracks:
1. Fairfield Parlour - In My Box
2. T. Rex - Seagull Woman
3. Marc Brierley - The Answer Is
4. Jan Dukes de Grey - High Priced Room
5. Donovan - Wear Your Love Like Heaven
6. Pete Dello & Friends - Harry The Earwig
7. Vashti Bunyan - Somethings Just Stick in Your Mind
8. The World of Oz - With a Little Help
9. Duncan Browne - Chloe in the Garden
10. Heron - Upon Reflection
11. Anne Briggs - Sandman's Song
12. Incredible String Band - You Get Brighter
13. Dr. Strangely Strange - Sign On My Mind
14. Amazing Blondel - Siege Of Yaddlethorpe

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Fairport Convention - Fairport Convention 1968

2008-09-15T20:08:00.011+02:00

Released in 1968 on Polydor. Fairport Convention's debut album owes more to the Byrds than to Pentangle, with soaring harmonies and psychedelic guitars. Produced by the fantastic Joe Boyd.

This is the only Fairport Convention studio album to feature Judy Dyble. She was replaced in 1968 by Sandy Denny, but during her short time with the band she managed to make a noticeable impression, particularly through her on-stage habit of knitting socks and scarves when not actually singing. Judy Dyble sang like a siren and then left to form Trader Horne.

Personnel
Judy Dyble - lead vocals, electric and acoustic autoharps, recorder, piano
Ian MacDonald - lead vocals, Jew's harp
Richard Thompson - vocals, lead electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin
Simon Nicol - vocals, electric 12 and 6 string and acoustic guitars
Ashley Hutchings - bass guitar, jug
Martin Lamble - Percussion, violin

Tracks
1. Time Will Show The Wiser
2. I Don't Know Where I Stand
3. If (Stomp)
4. Decameron
5. Jack O' Diamonds
6. Portfolio
7. Chelsea Morning
8. Sun Shade
9. The Lobster
10. It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft
11. One Sure Thing
12. M.1 Breakdown

What do you think of this album? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Earth and Fire - Earth and Fire 1971

2008-09-11T13:44:00.008+02:00

Earth and Fire were one of the leading Dutch progressive rock groups with female singers. They had a powerful sound and their strong compositions were always based in inspired and highly memorable melodies. Their debut-album is progressive rock in a less symphonic and slightly rougher vein than later albums. There was no Mellotron in their sound yet, but Gerard Koerts' excellent use of flute, organ and vibes took well care of the band's progressive sound already in this state of their career.

This astounding album comes complete with a fantastic Roger Dean-designed sleeve. Copies are virtually impossible to find, as it was one of the first major rarities to become popular with collectors.

Tracks
1. Wild & Exciting
2. Twilight Dreamer
3. Ruby Is The One
4. You Know The Way
5. Vivid Shady Land
6. 21th Century Show
7. Seasons
8. Love Quivers
9. What's Your Name

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Motherlight - Bobak, Jons, Malone 1969

2008-08-24T13:09:00.009+02:00

Released originally on the Morgan Blue Town label, probably selling about 50 copies to friends and family, this now fetches a 3 figure sum on original vinyl.

Known by the name of an album rather than the name of the group, Motherlight produced an album full of spooky psychedelia with progressive leanings, which works really well. Almost all tracks have a slightly unsettling atmosphere, originating in a clever use of dissonance, without being quirky.

Morgan Blue Town BT 5003

Tracks
1. Motherlight
2. On A Meadow - Lea
3. Mona Lose
4. Wanna Make A Star, Sam
5. House Of Many Windows
6. Chant
7. Burning The Weed
8. The Lens

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Keith Christmas - Stimulus 1969

2008-08-23T00:59:00.007+02:00

This is the debut album from the English singer and songwriter Keith Christmas. Originally released in 1969 this is a lost treasure on which Keith was backed by members of Mighty Baby who together created a late 60's "laid back Dylan, John St. Field/early John Martyn/Mick Softley/Roy Harper" styled album. The emphasis is on long tracks "Trial & Judgement" (9 minutes) and "I know You Can't Loose"(5 Mins) showing great songwriting and impressive overlapping guitar parts. Keith Christmas also appeared at the first Glastonbury Festival. Released on RCA.

Tracks
1. Travelling Down
2. Bedsit Two
3. Roundabout
4. Ice Man
5. I Know You Can't Lose
6. Metropolis
7. Trial And Judgement

What do you think of this album? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Just Others - Amalgam 1974

2008-08-17T13:57:00.003+02:00

This is a rare UK private press folk LP from 1974, only 250 made, and the record was sold only at gigs. Just Others was an English band, consisting of Geoff Twigg and Brian Rodgers. Their music is a nice blend of pop and folk with incredible lyrics, amazing voices and fine guitar work.

Amalgam was recently sold on ebay for £1280. Far out!

Tracks
1. I Do Not Know Your Name
2. Question Of Emotion
3. A Ballad Of Lady Ann
4. We Are Not Alone
5. Close Your Eyes To The Sun
6. Concerning A Lost Love
7. I Miss You
8. Song For All Seasons
9. Ballad Of A Londoner
10. Where Is He?
11. A Dialogue Between A Young Man And The Night
12. At The End Of The Rainbow
13. Sing For Me

What do you think of this album? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Pete Dello & Friends - Into Your Ears 1971

2008-08-17T12:30:00.009+02:00

This is the one and only solo album from Pete Dello, founder and leader of late-'60s British rock band Honeybus. It was released on the highly collectable label Nepentha in 1971 (6437001). Wonderful psychedelic chamber-pop with a light folksy feel.

The great cover design by Roger Dean was inspired by the song Harry The Earwig. One of my favorite Roger Dean covers. Outstanding!

Harry the earwig
Was a very strange insect
He carried a sword and rode
On the back of a caterpillar
He was a pillar of strength

Tracks
1. It's What You've Got
2. There's Nothing That I Can Do For You
3. I'm A Gambler
4. Harry The Earwig
5. Do I Still Figure In Your Life
6. Uptight Basil
7. Taking The Heart Out Of Love
8. On A Time Said Sylvie
9. A Good Song
10. It's The Way
11. Go Away
12. Arise Sir Henry

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Art - Supernatural Fairy Tales 1967

2008-08-17T11:27:00.004+02:00

Classic but little known late 60's Brit psych from the band that would later evolve into the much more famous progressive act, Spooky Tooth. Great use of effects, this is vamped in echoes, phasing, and vocoded vocals, and combines strong vocal melodies with distorted rock riffing, psychedelic guitar solos, pounding bass, and sweeping mellotron all to great effect.

Personnel
Luther Grosvenor – guitars
Mike Harrison – vocals, keyboards
Mike Kellie – drums, percussion
Greg Ridley – bass, guitar

Tracks
1. I Think I'm Going Weird
2. What's that Sound
3. African Thing
4. Room With a View
5. Flying Anchors
6. Supernatural Fairy Tale
7. Love Is Real
8. Come on Up
9. Brothers, Dads and Mothers
10. Talkin' to Myself
11. Alive Not Dead
12. Rome Take Away Three

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Second Hand - Reality 1969

2008-08-10T11:12:00.010+02:00

An acknowledged landmark of psychedelic acid rock, this 1968 classic combines top-notch songwriting with vicious guitar, swathes of mellotron and dense arrangements, to unique and unsettling effect. Released on Polydor (nr: 583 045).

Line-up
Ken Elliott - keyboards, vocals
Kieran O’Connor - drums & percussion
Nick South - bass
Bobby Gibbons - guitar

Chris Williams - flute, cello, violin & saxophone

Tracks
1. A Fairy Tale
2. Rhubarb!
3. Denis James The Clown
4. Steam Tugs
5. Good Old '59 (We Are Slowly Gettin' Older)
6. The World Will End Yesterday
7. Denis James (Ode To D.J.)
8. Mainliner
9. Reality
10. The Bath Song

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Tomorrow - Tomorrow 1968

2008-07-10T11:08:00.008+02:00

Tomorrow is the 1968 album by the British psychedelic group Tomorrow. It's a nice blend of '60s psych-pop positioned somewhere between Barrett-era Floyd and the Beatles circa Revolver. It was originally released by EMI Parlophone in the U.K. in a black and white sleeve. A slightly different version of the album was also released in the U.S. in 1968 as Sire Records SES 97012, one of the first releases on that label.

After the band disbanded, guitarist Steve Howe later joined progressive rock band Yes, whilst Twink joined The Pretty Things on their concept album, S.F. Sorrow, before forming The Pink Fairies.

Credits
Keith West - vocals
Steve Howe - guitar John "Junior" Wood - bass
John "Twink" Alder - percussion
Mark P. Wirtz - keyboard

Tracks
1. My White Bicycle
2. Colonel Brown
3. Real Life Permanent Dream
4. Shy Boy
5. Revolution
6. The Incredible Journey of Timothy Chase
7. Auntie Mary's Dress Shop
8. Strawberry Fields Forever
9. Three Jolly Little Dwarfs
10. Now Your Time Has Come
11. Hallucinations

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Strawbs - Strawberry Music Sampler No.1 1969

2008-07-10T11:05:00.007+02:00

Strawberry Sampler Number 1 is a studio album by English band Strawbs. It was originally released as a publisher's demonstration record, intended to advertise Dave Cousins's and Tony Hooper's songs to other artists. Most of the songs were re-recorded by the band on later albums ("Ah Me, Ah My" was used unchanged on the Grave New World album).

The initial white label pressing ran to 99 copies on 12 inch vinyl pressings, making these one of the UK's most collectable records.

Personnel
The personnel are not listed on the album cover but the following is likely:
Dave Cousins – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo
Tony Hooper – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Sandy Denny – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Ron Chesterman – double bass

Tracks:
1. All I Need is You
2. Stay Awhile With Me
3. Sail Away to the Sea
4. Two Weeks Last Summer
5. Nothing Else Will Do
6. Who Knows Where the Time Goes
7. I've Been My Own Worst Friend
8. I Turned My Face into the Wind
9. On Growing Older
10. And You Need Me
11. Ah Me, Ah My
12. And You Need Me"/"Josephine for Better or for Worse
13. Just the Same in Every Way
14. How Everyone But Sam Was a Hypocrite
15. Young Again
16. Whichever Way the Wind Blows
17. Sweetling

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Incredible String Band - Incredible String Band 1966

2008-07-03T19:52:00.013+02:00

The Incredible String Band is the band's eponymous debut album. Released in 1966, it is the only Incredible String Band album to feature the original trio line-up with Clive Palmer as well as Robin Williamson and Mike Heron.

The trio had been signed to Elektra Records by Joe Boyd, who had seen them play in Glasgow. They recorded the album at the Sound Techniques studio in London in one or two days in May 1966, with Boyd as producer. Boyd insisted on focusing on the group's own self-written material, rather than the traditional songs and tunes which they had also been performing. This marginalised Palmer, who wrote and sang on only one track, and played on only four others.

Tracks:
1. Maybe Someday
2. October Song
3. When The Music Starts To Play
4. Schaeffer's Jig
5. Womankind
6. The Tree
7. Whistle Tune
8. Dandelion Blues
9. How Happy I Am
10. Empty Pocket Blues
11. Smoke Shoveling Song
12. Can't Keep Me Here
13. Good As Gone
14. Footsteps Of The Heron
15. Niggertown
16. Everything's Fine Right Now

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Velvet Night - Velvet Night 1970

2008-07-02T22:40:00.003+02:00

Recorded in New York’s Record Plant under the guidance of cult producers Jimmy Curtiss and Steve Kanyon (best-known for their involvement with popsike favourites the Hobbits and the New Hobbits), this Italian-American psych rarity originally appeared in 1970 and has barely been heard since. A mixture of covers of songs by Cream, Donovan, the Band and Tim Hardin and eerie originals such as the hard acid-rock title track, it’s presented here complete with an ultra-rare bonus track taken from their sole 45.

Tracks:
1. Season Of The Witch
2. Velvet Night
3. Freak Show
4. Tribute: I Feel Free / Sunshine Of Your Love / White Room / I'm So Glad
5. The Weight
6. Edge Of The Woods
7. Don't Let Them Stand In Your Way
8. If I Were A Carpenter

Bonus track
9. I’m Sure He’ll Come Most Anytime

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Tyrannosaurus Rex - Prophets, Seers & Sages – The Angels of the Ages 1968

2008-07-02T22:37:00.005+02:00

Marc Bolan's psych outfit Tyrannosaurus Rex originally formed in September of 1967 as a duo after Bolan split from his previous band, John's Children. Joining Bolan in the band was percussionist/bongo player Steve Peregrin Took, a gentleman that Bolan named after a character in The Lord of the Rings novel series. Bolan was so infatuated with Rings that most of the subject matter in Tyrannosaurus Rex songs came directly from the books as well.

It's still the same trippy folk music as the debut. For this album Marc had eliminated any songs that referenced anything 20th century unlike the first album which contained two songs about cars and one about a female butcher and her cleaver. Now he had immersed himself totally into songs about myths and magic. Not only was this so because of Marc's own love for such folklore, but also due to his belief, shared by many others, that in effect as the West progressed further and further into a metropolitan industrialized world, the inner souls of the people yearned for the purity and simplicity of the past. Beautiful!

Released on 14 October 1968 on Regal Zonophone (SLRZ 1005 STEREO). Again produced by Tony Visconti.

Tracks:

1. Deboraarobed
2. Stacey Grove
3. Wind Quartets
4. Consuela
5. Trelawney Lawn
6. Aznageel the Mage
7. The Friends
8. Salamanda Palaganda
9. Our Wonderful Brownskin Man
10. Oh Harley (The Saltimbanques)
11. Eastern Spell
12. The Travelling Tragition
13. Juniper Suction
14. Scenes of Dynasty

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Bridget St John - Ask Me No Questions 1969

2008-07-02T19:09:00.009+02:00

Bridget St John is a English singer and songwriter who recorded some lovely albums in the early seventies. Her debut Ask Me No Questions was released in 1969 on John Peel's legendary Dandelion Records. Good old John even produced it. The music is very gentle and poetic. She sings beautifully in a quite low register accompanied by sparse guitar playing. Sometimes she sounds a little like Nico.

Tracks:
1. To B Without A Hitch
2. Autumn Lullaby
3. Curl Your Toes
4. Like Never Before
5. The Curious Crystals of Unusual Purity
6. Barefeet And Hot Pavements
7. I Like To Be With You In The Sun
8. Lizard-Long-Tongue Boy
9. Hello Again (Of Course)
10. Many Happy Returns
11. Broken Faith
12. Ask Me No Questions

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Paper Garden - Paper Garden 1968

2008-06-25T18:37:00.012+02:00

The Paper Garden is a quite unknown band who recorded this psych obscurity back in 1968. The album contains absolutely smashing psychedelic pop music. Sounding very much like Beatles Sgt. Pepper, Zombies Odessey & Oracle and UK Nirvana. This is one trippy magic carpet ride of pop, the songs are cheery and joyous, played in a very psychedelic way. Released on the small New York City based label Musicor (MS 3175).

Sorry I couldn't find proper images of the album cover, so if someone has the original gatefold LP and a camera, please send me some pics!

Tracks:
1. Gypsy Wine
2. Sunshine People
3. Way Up High
4. Lady's Man
5. Mr. Mortimer
6. Man Do You
7. Raining
8. I Hide
9. Raven
10. A Day

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High Tide - High Tide 1970

2008-06-21T18:39:00.007+02:00

High Tide was a progressive psych band formed in 1969 by Tony Hill (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Simon House (violin and keyboards), Pete Pavli (bass) and Roger Hadden (drums).

Their second eponymous album is a little less heavy than their debut Sea Shanties. They have added acoustic guitar, organ and piano, also the bass now stands out, perhaps due to the much clearer sound, as the production is not as rough as the debut. Featuring just three tracks - Blankman Cries Again, The Joke and Saneonymous - it can be seen as a concept of sorts, the theme being the slow slide into pychosis. Indeed, Roger Hadden was later committed for just that reason.

An intense gigging schedule saw the band run out of steam and by 1971 the group had ceased to exist. Simon House joined experimentalists Third Ear Band (contributing to the soundtrack to Roman Polanski’s “Macbeth”) before joining Hawkwind in 1973. He later became a member of David Bowie’s band.

Line-up/Musicians
Roger Hadden - drums, piano, pipes organ
Tony Hill - guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar, organ
Simon House - electric violin, organ, piano
Peter Pavli - bass guitar

Tracks
1. Blankman Cries Again 8:28
2. The Joke 9:27
3. Saneonymous 14:26

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Bread, Love And Dreams - Bread, Love and Dreams 1969

2008-06-21T18:21:00.007+02:00

This is the 1969 debut by the UK folk trio Bread, Love and Dreams. Released on Decca in UK and on London i the US. It's dreamy folk; flower-power lyrics with simple beautiful melodies. The band would go on to release two further albums, all three are now collectables.

Check out their other albums:
Amarylis 1971
The Strange Tale of Captain Shannon and the Hunchback From Gigha 1970

Tracks:
1. Switch Out The Sun
2. Virgin Kiss
3. The Least Said
4. Falling Over Backwards
5. Lady Of The Night
6. Main Street
7. Artificial Light
8. Until She Needs You
9. Mirrors
10. Poet's Song
11. The Yellow-bellied Redback
12. 95 Octane Gravy

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Ancient Grease - Women And Children First 1970

2008-06-07T16:00:00.005+02:00

Ancient Grease were actually a band named Strawberry Dust from Neath in South Wales. This album was a collaboration between a few people from the hippyer band Eyes of Blue and Stawberry Dust. The result features some fine dirty rock'n'roll alongside with a number of mellow songs, such as the dreamy, psychedelic-folk of 'Time To Die' and the rootsy 'Mystic Mountain'.

What's interesting about Ancient Grease is that the album was intended to be released on the famous Vertigo Swirl label (catalogue nr VO5?). You can still see the VO Price Code on the reverse of the album sleeve. For some reason, the record company changed it the last minute and released it on the black Mercury label in July 1970. The album was also curiously credited to Ancient Grease, not Strawberry Dust.

Unfortunately, Mercury Records did not give 'Women and Children First' the amount of push necessary to get a brand new act noticed by the record buying public. Insted they focused on Rod Stewart's 'An Old Raincoat Will Never Let You Down'.

Personnel:
Graham Mortimer (Morty) - Vocals
Graham Williams - Lead Guitar
Jack Bass - Bass Guitar
Dick Ferndale - Drums

Tracks:
1. Freedom Train
2. Don't Want
3. Odd Song
4. Eagle Song
5. Where The Snow Lies Forever
6. Mother Grease The Cat
7. Time To Die
8. Prelude To A Blind Man
9. Mystic Mountain
10. Women And Children First
11. Freedom Train (Alt.Take)

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Jethro Tull - Club Special Edition 1970

2008-06-07T14:54:00.004+02:00

This "Club Sonderauflage" compilation is one of the hardest Jethro Tull album to track down, as it was available only in Germany via mail order as a "Club Special Edition". Only a few hundred were manufactured. With two tracks from This Was, seven from Stand Up, a two non-album singles and an funny cover photo of the band reading The Times, this LP was the perfect representation of early Jethro Tull. Released on Island (92527).

Tracks:

1. Sweet Dream
2. Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square
3. Bouree
4. Fat Man
5. My Sunday Feeling
6. Reasons For Waiting
7. Witch's Promise
8. A New Day Yesterday
9. A Song For Jeffrey
10. Look Into The Sun
11. Nothing Is Easy

Principal Edwards Magic Theatre - Asmoto Running Band 1971

2008-06-06T22:35:00.011+02:00

Principal Edwards Magic Theatre were a collective of musicians, dancers, poets and lighting technicians who were active between 1968 and 1971. This is their second and last LP, released januari 1971 on John Peel's Dandelion label.

Asmoto Running Band, produced by Nick Mason, Pink Floyd's drummer, is some sort of theme album, telling a spaced out tale of the Asmoto Running Band and someone called McAlpine’s. It's very far out and obscure, like a progressive folk Sgt Pepper.

The band would break up shortly after this release. The times they were a’changing (unfortantly), and this sort of theatrical, pretentious hippie-folk music was becoming pretty out of fashion by the early seventies. It's still a fun-loving and joyeous album that brings the listner back to those wild and hazy hippie days so long gone.

By the way, the album cover is designed by Hipgnosis!

Tracks:
1. Mcalpines Dream
2. Mcalpine V The Asmoto
3. The Asmoto Running Band (Houamih)
4. Asmoto Celebration
5. Further Asmoto Celebration (After The Ball)
6. Total Glycerol Esther
7. Freef (R) All
8. Autumn Lady Dancing Song
9. The Kettering Song
10. Weirdsong Of Breaking Through At Last

Various Artists - In the Magic Garden of Peppermint Store

2008-06-06T21:45:00.004+02:00

In the backyard of Peppermint Store there is a magic garden where flowers chuckle and birds play tricks. The garden is filled with beautiful music that I'd like to share with you! On this second compilation from Peppermint Store, I have put together a superb collection of songs that will be perfect for a mad tea party with fairy cakes.

Welcome to the magic garden of Peppermint Store. Hope you all enjoy it and let it work its magic upon you.

Your most humble and obedient servant
Mad Hatter

Tracks:

1. Barclay James Harvest - Early Morning
2. Nirvana - We Can Help You
3. Tyrannosaurus Rex - She Was Born to Be My Unicorn
4. Vashti Bunyan - Diamond Day
5. Bread Love And Dreams - Butterflyland
6. Trader Horne - Jenny May
7. Caravan - Policeman
8. Layne Martine Jr - Surabian Lament
9. Skip Bifferty - Jeremy Carabine
10. Kevin Ayers - Eleanor's Cake (Which Ate Her)
11. The Trees - Geordie
12. Just Others - I Do Not Know Your Name
13. Paul Giovanni - Gently Johnny
14. Subway - I Am a Child
15. Donovan - Jabberwocky

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Tyrannosaurus Rex - Unicorn 1969

2008-06-06T20:46:00.006+02:00

Unicorn is the third album by British band Tyrannosaurus Rex, comprising Marc Bolan and Steve "Peregrin" Took. This is a wonderful psychedelic folk album with strange poetic lyrics and evocative sounds. The final track includes John Peel's reading of a short story. Produced by Tony Visconti. Released in 1969 on Regal Zonophone (LRZ 1007).

Track Listings
1. Chariots Of Silk
2. 'pon A Hill
3. Seal Of Seasons
4. Throat Of Winter
5. Cat Black (The Wizard's Hat)
6. Stones For Avalon
7. She Was Born To Be A Unicorn
8. Like A White Estar Tangled And Far Tulip That's What You Are
9. Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles
10. Eveningsof Damask
11. Sea Beasts
12. Iscariot
13. Nijinsky Hind
14. Pilgrim's Tale
15. Misty Coast Of Albany
16. Romany Soup

Ultimate Spinach - Ultimate Spinach 1968

2008-05-28T21:41:00.003+02:00

Ultimate Spinach was a psychedelic/ hard rock/ blues band originally from Boston. Their debut album (originally released by MGM in 1968) had considerable commercial success peaking at no.34 in the US album charts. Discovered by producer Alan Lorber, they were the brainchild of group member Ian Bruce-Douglas and part of the emerging Bosstown Sound. Ultimate Spinach is a very trippy affair.

Tracks:1. Ego Trip
2. Sacrifice of the Moon (In Four Parts)
3. Plastic Raincoating/Hung Up Minds
4. (Ballad of) The Hip Death Goddess
5. Your Head Is Reeling
6. Dove In Hawk's Clothing
7. Baroque #1
8. Funny Freak Parade
9. Pamela

Incredible String Band - Be Glad for the Song Has No Ending 1970

2008-05-27T23:05:00.007+02:00

Be Glad for the Song Has No Ending is the eighth album by the Incredible String Band, featuring Mike Heron, Robin Williamson, Licorice McKechnie and Rose Simpson. It is the soundtrack for the String Band's John Marshall-directed film of the same name. It is a strange little collection of the enigmatic and the light-hearted, ending with a long collage of instrumental tunes from the movie.

The film captures the intensity of The Incredible String Band in the late 60s. Live sequences show the band at the height of their powers, casting a spell on the audience with their unique blend of theatrical and musical metaphysics. Released on Island Records 1970.

Check out this clip from the film

Personnel:Licorice McKechnie - Keyboards, Violin
Robin Williamson - Whistle (Human), Vocals, Violin, Shawm, Shaker, Sarangui, Piano, Mandolin, Keyboards, Guitar, Gimbri, Finger Cymbals, Bass, Fiddle, Claves
Mike Heron - Bass, Guitar, Horn, Organ, Vocals, Sitar, Keyboards, Harpsichord, Glockenspiel, Chimes
Rose Simpson - Bass, Percussion
Joe Boyd - Harmonium, productionNigel Waymouth Art Direction

Tracks:1. Come With Me
2. All Writ Down
3. Veshangro
4. See All The People
5. Waiting For You
6. The Song Has No Ending

Billy Nicholls - Would You Believe 1968

2008-05-14T20:02:00.007+02:00

Billy Nicholls was originally hired by Andrew Loog Oldham as a staff writer for Oldham's Immediate Records. Oldham was so entranced by the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album that he enlisted songwriter Billy Nicholls to record a British response, which became this largely forgotten album. The Small Faces' Steve Marriott can be heard very prominently on "Would you believe", despite Oldham's attempts to drown them out with heavy orchestration. Oldham wanted this to be the British "Pet Sounds" but financial difficulties with the label caused it to be shelved (it only achieved an initial promotional run of 100 copies, as Immediate IMCP009) before it ever hit the streets. Would You Believe has become one of the most collectable and legendary albums of its era.

Tracks:
1. Would You Believe
2. Come Again
3. Life Is Short
4. Feeling Easy
5. Daytime Girl
6. Daytime Girl (coda)
7. London Social Degree
8. Portobello Road
9. Question Mark
10. Being Happy
11. Girl From New York
12. It Brings Me Down

Donovan - In Concert 1968

2008-05-12T23:07:00.006+02:00

Donovan in Concert is the sixth album from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, and the first live album of his career. It was recorded in the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on September 23, 1967.

This concert was recorded several months before Donovan released A Gift from a Flower to a Garden, and featured several songs that were not yet known to the audience. Some of the songs were b-sides and may not have been known by the audience for that reason as well. "Poor Cow" is introduced by Donovan as "Poor Love", which was the original title of the song. The title was changed when the song appeared in the film Poor Cow. It retained that title when released as the b-side to "Jennifer Juniper" in February of 1968.

The music at the concert was much more subdued than Donovan's singles of the time, and Donovan was backed by an accomplished set of musicians from his folk days. They play many genres of music, from folk to jazz.
Released in the US on Epic Records (BN 26386) and in the UK Pye Records (NPL 18237).

Tracks:1. Isle of Islay
2. Young Girl Blues
3. There Is a Mountain
4. Poor Cow
5. Celeste
6. The Fat Angel
7. Guinevere
8. Widow With Shawl (A Portrait)
9. Preachin' Love
10. The Lullaby of Spring
11. Writer in the Sun
12. Pebble and the Man
13. Rules and Regulations
14. Mellow Yellow

Jan Dukes de Grey - Mice and Rats in the Loft 1971

2008-05-12T22:16:00.005+02:00

Rare second LP by one of the most legendary underground acoustic folk bands to come out of the UK in this era. Although the band released just two LPs, it achieved cult status and is responsible for spawning a whole new genre. Recorded for Transatlantic in 1971, Jan Dukes De Grey’s second album was (despite the addition of drummer Denis Conlan) much more free-form than their debut album Sorcerers. While still essentially a folk album, the band’s progressive leanings are far more pronounced, dissolving song structure and taking the audience on a wild, semi-improvised journey.

Those who are familiar with Comus’ First Utterance will be pleased to learn that First Utterance has a twin brother in Mice and Rats in the Loft. The title track is a psych masterpiece filled with Hendrix styled guitar gives the song a very psychedelic feel, creating pools of sound around your feet. The lyrics are a chilling tale of religious sacrifice, all adding to the intense mood and atmosphere of the track.

Personnel:
Derek Noy - Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, Zelda Chord
DenisConlan - Drums
Michael Bairstow - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone

Produced by Stuart Taylor
Sleeve design Caroline Brown of Graphiti
Photo by Keith Morris

Tracks:1. Sun Symphonica
2. Call Of The Wild
3. MiceAnd The Rats In The Loft

Bread, Love And Dreams - Amaryllis 1971

2008-05-11T01:10:00.012+02:00

Amaryllis is the third and final album by the Edinburgh-based duo of David McNiven and Angie Rew. It was recorded simultaneously with their classic album with the long title The Strange Tale of Captain Shannon and the Hunchback From Gigha. By the time they entered Decca's West Hampstead studio for five days in the summer of 1970, they had enough material to fill two albums, so Captain Shannon were concieved as a double LP. For the sessions, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox of Pentangle joined the duo.

Decca baulked at the cost of issuing the albums together, however, so they were separated, with Captain Shannon appering first, in november 1970. Though it recieved warm reviews, when it didn't sell, the label barely bothered to release Amaryllis at all.

"When it came to deviding up the songs, we decided to put the more mystical songs on Amaryllis", says David McNiven. It also included the 22 minutes long epic title track on the entire a-side of the LP. "It was about the earth being destroyed, but something positive emerging from the calamity", David explains.

When it finally was rereased in july 1971, the press was again enthusiastic, but Amaryllis was damned by lacklustre publicity and poor distribution, and when it didn't sell, Decca droped the duo.

Amaryllis is now one of the mot sought after psych albums and essential for all fans of psychedelic singer-songwriting.

Tracks:1. Amaryllis
Part 1 Out of the Darkness and Into the Night
Part 2 Zoroaster's Prophecy
Part 3 Light

2. Time's The Thief
3. My Stair-Cupboard at 3 a.m.
4. Brother John
5. Circle Of Night

Anne Briggs - Anne Briggs 1971

2008-05-10T21:52:00.007+02:00

This is the first longplayer by the English folk singer Anne Brigs, released on Topic Records. The album, that was released at the start of 1971, was in some ways a summation of what Anne had been about in the 60's - mostly traditional songs, sung freely and beautifully, and mostly unaccompanied. It remains an album whose aura is monochrome, distant yet timeless, like the enigmatic dark silhouette of a young woman with a hound that graced its cover.

A few month later the same year she released her second album The Time Has Come on CBS. In contrast, The Time Has Come, is very much of its time - quirky songs, a voice and a guitar, a combination of dark dreams and childlike visions.

Personnel:Anne Briggs - vocals, guitar, bouzouki
John Moynihan - second bouzouki on track 3

Tracks
1. Blackwaterside Traditional
2. The Snow It Melts the Soonest
3. Willie O'Winsbury
4. Go Your Way Briggs
5. Thorneymoor Woods
6. The Cuckoo
7. Reynardine
8. Young Tambling
9. Living by the Water
10. Ma Bonny Lad

Dulcimer – And I Turned As I Had Turned As A Boy 1971

2008-04-30T23:58:00.012+02:00

This is the rare debut from the British progressive folk band Dulcimer. Wonderful album with a kind of post Incredible String Band / Forest styled gipsy-folk, similar to Magna Carta's 'Seasons'. The beautiful and magical farout fairyland songs are filled with mandolins, dulcimers, banjo and lush keyboards. Also features the British actor Richard Todd reading evocative poetry over two of the tracks.

Produced by Larry Page, the guy who was behind The Troggs. Released on the small label Nepentha in 1971 (nr. 6437003).

Tracks:
1. Sonnet To The Fall
2. Pilgrim From The City
3. Morman's Casket
4. Ghost Of The Wandering Minstrel Boy
5. Gloucester City
6. Starlight
7. Caravan
8. Lisa's Song
9. Time In My Life
10. Fruit Of The Musical Tree
11. While It Lasted
12. Suzanne

Donovan - What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid 1965

2008-04-27T12:44:00.005+02:00

In late 1964, Donovan were offered a recording contract with Pye Records in the United Kingdom. Donovan had performed around Britain and become well known in British folk circles before his record contract. His 1964 demo tapes (released as Sixty Four in 2004) show a great resemblance to both Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, which probably prompted the "British answer to Bob Dylan" press line that was subsequently released. What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid is notable because it captures Donovan at a point where his style and vision were starting to significantly diverge from those of Guthrie and Dylan.

What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid was released in the United States as "Catch the Wind" on Hickory Records in June of 1965. Hickory Records changed the title to match that of Donovan's debut single.

Tracks:1. Josie
2. Catch the Wind
3. Remember the Alamo
4. Cuttin' Out
5. Car Car
6. Keep on Truckin'
7. Gold Watch Blues
8. To Sing for You
9. You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond
10. Tangerine Puppet
11. Donna Donna
12. Ramblin' Boy

Hickory Wind - Hickory Wind 1969

2008-04-27T02:40:00.008+02:00

A US 1969 mega-rarity. Only 100 copies of this album were pressed originally and the members of this band went on to form B.F. Trike. The album is well crafted psychedelic folk rock, with plenty of fuzz guitar and multi-part vocal harmonies.

The B.F. Trike album is the exact same trio doing essentially, the same musical thing but with a rockier edge. They even did a re-recording of Time and Changes from this album.

Tracks:

1. I Don't Believe
2. Time And Changes
3. Maybe Tomorrow
4. Transit Blues
5. Country Boy
6. The Loner
7. Mr. Man
8. New Albany Police Carnival
9. Father Come With Me
10. Judy

Jan Dukes de Grey - Sorcerers 1969

2008-04-27T01:01:00.005+02:00

This incredibly rare predates their more widely-known second album, Mice and Rats in the Loft. Music is superb psych-folk dated 1969. The Jan Dukes De Grey started out as a duo of two multi-instrumentalists, Michael Bairstow and Derek Noy, who stood midway between Tyrannosaurus Rex and Jethro Tull with very short all-acoustic songs with strange lyrics. Similar to early Incredible String Band or Mark Fry, with a touch of Comus weirdness. A mixture of trippy and stoned songs and instrumentals with eastern feel. A unique album. Released on the rare label Decca Nova (In 1969, Decca launched a true progressive label "Deram Nova", which lasted less than a year. This was quite confusing as simultaneous releases on "Deram Nova" and "Decca Nova" appeared.)

Tracklist:
1. Dragons
2. Rags, Old Iron
3. 28th June, Village Song
4. High Priced Room
5. Sorcerers
6. Ode to a Schoolgirl
7. Cheering Crowd
8. Out of the Eastern Hills
9. MSS
10. Texas
11. Yorkshire Indian Sitting in the Sun
12. Wonder Child
13. Dominique
14. Trust Me Now
15. Forms
16. City After 3:00 Am
17. Butterfly
18. Turkish Time

Dando Shaft - Dando Shaft 1971

2008-04-26T19:39:00.006+02:00

High quality acoustic folk is what we find on Dando Shaft’s 1971 release. The complicated rhythmic fabrics - woven together by melding guitar, mandolin and violin and joined by the expressive vocals of Polly Bolton - create unique progressive folk atmospheres that are definitely worth a listen. Originally released on the NEON label in 1971. The man behind this beautiful gatefold cover is the fantastic Marcus Keef!

Personnel:Martin Jenkins - mandocello, flute, violin, vocals
Kevin Dempsey - guitar, vocals
Ted Kay - percussion
Roger Bullen - bass
Dave Cooper - guitar, vocals
Polly Bolton - vocals

Tracks:1. Coming Home to Me
2. Railway
3. Whispering Ned
4. Sometimes
5. River Boat
6. Kalyope Driver
7. Waves Upon the Ether
8. Dewet
9. Till the Morning Comes
10. Pass It On
11. Prayer

VA - Peppermint Store Vol.1

2008-04-26T14:00:00.008+02:00

This is my first attempt to put together a compilation of songs I really love. Featuring 14 slices of vivid psychedelia and beautiful acid-folk. Most of the songs are taken from my previous posts here on Peppermint Store, it's like a best of-album or a gateway to my beautiful world of music.

If you like it, which I hope you do, I'll put together more collections like this in the future. Released on Mad Hatter Records, MH-001.

Tracks:
1. Kaleidoscope – Nursey, Nursey 1970
2. The Rose Garden – I’m Only Second 1968
3. Trader Horne – Sheena 1970
4. The Incredible String band – The Juggler's Song 1970
5. Tudor Lodge – Forest 1971
6. Sunforest – Peppermint Store 1969
7. Fire – Father's Name Is Dad 1969
8. Marc Brierley – Welcome To The Citadel 1968
9. Dr. Strangely Strange – Strangely Strange but Oddly Normal 1969
10. Heron – Yellow Roses 1970
11. Fresh Maggots – Dole Song 1971
12. Donovan – Writer In The Sun 1967
13. Principal Edwards Magic Theatre – Lament For The Earth 1969
14. Gandalf the Grey – The Grey Wizard Am I 1972

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