Largely unknown group from Long Island, New York. After their debut that could be described as folk rock with a psychedelic edge, the 2nd record is definitively more rock/blues orientated.
The harmonies of Dede Puma and guitarist Zenya Stashuk still sport a Jefferson Airplane-style vocal blend, and R’n’B-flavored sound of Pacific Gas and Electric. Puma's vocals lean closer to the cool, vibratoless style of Grace Slick than the soul/blues ululations of Janis Joplin. The guitar and organ riffs often bear a distortion-laden crunch that nods to the burgeoning hard rock scene of the time. Nevertheless, the things that served the band in good stead on its first album - strong harmonies, tight playing, and a solid sense of structure - still shine through here.
Tracks
1. Pillow - 2:42
2. Sleeping Prophet - 3:04
3. Put Me Down - 2:34
4. Personal Manager (Albert King, David Porter) - 9:40
5. Reincarnation (Chuck Berry) - 1:49
6. Sleepy Mountain Ecstacy - 4:02
7. I Don't Need No Music - 2:44
8. Little Song - 2:28
9. Healthy, Wealthy And Wise - 2:38
10.Around And Around - 5:19
11.Morning - 1:50
All songs by Granlegede Bupumacstasin except where noted
The Unspoken Word
Zenya Stashuk - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Dede Puma - Vocals
Greg Buis - Bass, Vocals
Les Singer - Drums
Angus Macmaster - Keyboards
Free Text
Thank you very much for this album, Marios!!!
ReplyDeletemuchas thanks
ReplyDeletethanks for this one, unaware they did a 2nd album, great way to spend a sleepy saturday afternoon. cheers from the land of Oz.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much,Hotroder and Marios!!!
ReplyDeleteBig surprise to me.This is a killer gem.Many thanks...
ReplyDeleteNot essential, but very good album in my memory ( i have the original LP on Atco ref. SD 33-335, US press ). They have made a previous album: "Tuesday, April 19 th" ( i don't know it ) that it supposed to be better and more psychedelic-folk rock. Thanks Hotroder and Marios for the memories.
ReplyDeleteProbably from the East Coast, as their both albums were recorded in New York, home of the Ascot Label. Produced by Tony Michaels and Vinny Gormann and engineered by Warren Schatz, their first album TUESDAY, APRIL 19th (Ascot AS 16028) 1968 is basically folk-rock with a hint of psychedelia with Waking Up one of its finest moments. A truly beautiful album - it's worth checking out for fans of this genre. All their songs were penned by the group.
ReplyDeleteReleased two years later and produced by Shel Kagan, the second album THE UNSPOKEN WORD (Atco SD 33-335) 1970 is heavier and more rock-blues in style, but still contains some good tracks: Sleeping Prophet, Personal Manager (an Albert King cover) and Sleepy Mountain Ecstacy. The voice of Dede Puma, their female singer, is still really impressive.
In 1972, Gene Stashuk played cello on Bonnie Raitt's Give It Up album. The other members apparently vanished from the music scene.
Thx Hotroder & Marios.
Several of the band members were killed in an auto accident while on tour. Happened either late spring or fall of 1971. As a friend of one of the members, we were all devastated....such a sad loss.
Deleteexcelent upload, near to WC far away (4 gud IMHO)of JA and all dose clones.
ReplyDeleteHats off!
MUZICPROG
Thanks Marios, I just learned of this band through their first album. Excellent!!
ReplyDeleteThanx a lot!
ReplyDeletemarios could you please re up
ReplyDeleteI played drums with the band in late '70, early '71. The music was great and Gene and Dede were two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.
ReplyDeleteI use to go see them when they played at Dean's in Point Lookout. A friend of mine Fran Devito use to date DeDe. She had an outstanding voice and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Angus Macmasters on the Hammond B3
ReplyDelete