Golden Earring - Golden Earring (1970 holland, exceptional hard classic rock with psych and prog shades, 2001 reissue)

Golden Earring found the titular Dutch quartet forging the unique style that would later pay off in successful albums like Moontan and Cut. At this point, the group's sound is best described as post-psychedelic FM rock with a pronounced hard rock element (strong, gutsy guitar riffs about on this record -- just check out "The Loner" or "Back Home"). A lot of the songs have the atmosphere and elaborate arrangements associated with prog rock, but the group keeps the arrangements and the running times tight (the album's lengthiest song is just a little over six minutes). 

The most overtly artsy track on the album is "Big Tree, Blue Sea," an energetic and complex rock tune that includes Jethro Tull-style flute and packs a dizzying array of tempo and stylistic changes into a tune only half as long as the average prog tune. Other highlights on Golden Earring include "This Is the Time of the Year," a song whose effect arrangement juxtaposes quiet verses with spare instrumentation with dramatic chorus powered by a powerful guitar riff and "Back Home," a solid example of the kind of good-time rocker that would dominate Golden Earring's late-'70s albums. 

The strong music and the band's tight musicianship makes a tuneful effort that is well worth a listen. 

by Donald A. Guarisco

Tracks
1. Yellow And Blue - 3:45
2. The Loner - 3:29
3. This Is The Time Of The Year - 3:33
4. Big Tree Blue Sea (George Kooymans, Barry Hay) - 6:12
5. The Wall Of Dolls (George Kooymans, Barry Hay) - 3:33
6. Back Home - 3:52
7. See See (Barry Hay) - 3:13
8. I'm Going To Send My Pigeons To The Sky - 5:59
9. As Long As The Wind Blows - 5:17
All songs by George Kooymans except where noted

The Golden Earring
*Rinus Gerritsen - Bass, Keyboard
*Barry Hay - Flute, Vocals
*George Kooymans - Guitar, Vocals
*Cesar Zuiderwijk - Drums

The Golden Earring 
1965 Just Ear Rings (2009 extra tracks edition)
1966  Winter-Harvest (2009 extra tracks issue)
1968-69  Miracle Mirror (2009 bonus tracks edition)
1969  On The Double
1969/71 Eight Miles High / Seven Tears
1972  Together
1973  Moontan
1977  Live (Double Disc)

1971  George Kooymans - Jojo
1972  Barry Hay - Only Parrots, Frogs And Angels

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Marc Brierley - Hello (1969-70 uk, marvelous diverse folk rock, 2014 bonus tracks remaster)

A minor player on the late-'60s British folk-rock scene, guitarist and singer/songwriter Marc Brierley made a couple of albums in the late '60s that were somewhat in line with the folk-pop-rock Donovan was making around the same time, though they were milder and far less distinctive. Brierley made his recording debut in 1966 with a five-song acoustic EP for Transatlantic Records that was similar in nature to the early acoustic recordings of Donovan and Bert Jansch. 

by Richie Unterberger

Hello might be described as a bit more ambitious than the first LP, and certainly more commercial. The arrangements are a lot bigger, with the string section from the London Symphony Orchestra hired to play on a couple of tracks and a lot of well-placed Hammond organ. There's a lot more stylistic variety from one song to the next, the tongue-in-cheek, honky-tonk shuffle of "O Honey" (featuring Dudley Moore, Arthur himself, on the piano!) transitioning into "A Presence (I Am Seeking)" with sparse acoustic guitar, flute, and Eastern hand percussion. The poppier songs on Hello remind me a little bit of some of the stuff on Cat Stevens' first two records, although nothing Brierley wrote is nearly as infectious as "Here Comes My Baby." If anything comes close, its his hugely uplifting final single "Be My Brother," which sounds to me like it should've been a massive hit. The other single, "Stay A Little Longer Merry Ann," is pretty damn good, too, and is notable for its now infamous producer and arranger: a teenage Andrew Lloyd Webber, believe it or not.

Brierley, today a freelance photographer and journalist, wrote the reissue's great liner notes, in which he reminisces about the minutia of his career. He talks about having a terrible cold the week he was in the studio for Welcome To The Citadel and about the tremendous difficulty he had with recording his vocals and guitar parts separately. He also has a word or two to say about his influences and about the ideas behind some of his songs. His thoughtful and charming remarks are merely the icing on the cake of this near-perfect package, a long overdue introduction to a unique and remarkable artist whose music is more than worthy of a prime spot in the folk-rock canon.

by Rob Hatch-Miller

Tracks
1. Sunny Weather - 2:44
2. Lady Of The Light - 2:52
3. Today I Feel Like Leaving You - 2:22
4. O Honey - 3:42
5. A Presence (I Am Seeking) - 6:46
6. The Room - 7:42
7. Byrd Lives - 1:28
8. Hello - 2:48
9. Lookin' Around The Room - 3:23
10.When Martha Comes - 4:33
11.Be My Brother - 3:26
12.If You Took The Bandage Off Your Head You Wouldn't Be So Blind - 3:29
13.The Best Part Of The Night - 3:29
14.In This Hour Of Love - 2:52
15.One Fine Morning (You Will Wake Up) - 3:01
16.Screaming Schizophrenia Blues - 3:02
17.Abide With You - 3:36
18.Brown Ships - 4:45
19.For People Who Are Parted - 4:45
20.Sweet Summer - 2:25
21.Be My Brother - 3:15
Words and Music by Marc Brierley
Original Album Tracks 1-10
CBS Singles Tracks 11-12
Island Records Demos Tracks 13-20
Rehearsal Demo Track 21

Musicians
*Marc Brierley - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
*Harold McNair - Flute
*Dudley Moore - Piano
*Graham Todd - Organ
*Mox - Mouth Harp
*John Fiddie - Bass
*Tony Carr - Percussion
*Dougie Wright - Drums
*Billy Butler - Guitar, Vocals
*Andy Bown - Piano
*London Symphony Orchestra - Strings

1966-69  Marc Brierley - Welcome To The Citadel (2014 remaster)

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Cold Blood ‎- Lydia (1974 us, delicate groovy jazzy funk rock, 2004 remaster)

Cold Blood is one of the original R'n'B horn bands from the late 60's/ early 70's that exemplified the "East Bay Grease" melding of funk & rock with blues and jazz elements. Lydia Pense has been compared to Janis Joplin, but is a true original and a pioneer in the women's rock movement. Lydia Pense and Cold Blood packed the San Francisco Ballrooms in their heyday, but that was then and this is now. In the now, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood still fill halls with cheering, dancing, foot-stomping fans. Far from fading over the years, Cold Blood has flourished. 

In 1974 their 5th released simply called "Lydia", legendary Stax guitarist Steve Cropper produced and and played on three cuts. A soulful approach with the band playing a blue-eyed funk crossbred. Lydia Pense is in fine form as always. 

Tracks
1. Ready To Live (Lonnie Hewitt, Paul Edward Smith) - 5:24
2. Simple Love Life (Paul Edward Smith, R. Smith) - 3:18
3. Under Pressure (Fred Gowdy, Larry Wilkins) - 3:30
4. When My Love Hand Comes Down (Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer) - 4:23
5. When It's Over (A. Wayne) - 2:33
6. Consideration (Steve Cropper) - 3:36
7. I Only Wanted Someone To Hear Me (Allan Rush, Dee Presley) - 3:54
8. You're Free Lovin' Me (Carl Marsh, Steve Cropper) - 3:51
9. Come Back Into My Life Again (B. R. Charles) - 3:40
10.Just Like Sunshine (Paul Edward Smith, Raul Matute) - 4:38

Musicians
*Lydia Pense - Vocals
*Michael Sasaki - Guitar
*Paul Cannon - Guitar
*Steve Cropper - Guitar
*Joe Williams - Drums
*Tommy Cathey - Bass
*Rod Elliott - Bass
*Raul Matute - Keyboards
*David Luell - Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones
*Max Haskett - Trumpet
*Jack Walrath - Trumpet
*Gaylord Birch - Drums
*Danny Kootch - Guitar
*Bobbye Hall - Congas, Percussion
*Chuck Bennett - Trombone
*Paul Hubinon - Trumpet
*Chuck Findley - Trumpet
*Bobby Shew - Trumpet
*Jim Horn - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
*Don Menza - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo
*Peter Christlieb - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo
*The Memphis Horns

1969-70  Cold Blood - Cold Blood / Sisyphus
1972  Cold Blood - First Taste Of Sin
1973  Cold Blood - Thriller
1973  Cold Blood - Vintage Blood Live

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Various Artists - Riot On Sunset Strip / Rarities: The Standells (1967 us, exciting garage psych beat folk rock, 2009 bonus tracks remaster)

The riots on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip took place in the summer and fall of 1966. As riots go, they were a far cry from those that afflicted the city during either Watts or those inspired by the Rodney King beating in 1991. Hundreds of teenagers began peacefully hanging out on the Strip on weekends, creating a traffic problem (though little else) while waiting for the latest phenomenon of the '60s - the 'Happening'.

The LA police over-reacted, imposing a curfew on under-21 year olds and heavy-handedly breaking up the crowds that continued to gather. These rather one-sided violent affairs were magnified by the popular press of the time into The Riots On Sunset Strip. The Stephen Stills/ Neil Young band Buffalo Springfield documented the affair in the song For What It's Worth, which charted nationally putting the civil rights issues involved once more on view from Coast to Coast. Sam Katzman (the man behind the movie Rock Around The Clock) rushed out a cash-in film Riot On Sunset Strip. 

All the hallmarks of the teenage movie were there - hokey plot, wooden acting and cheap sets - but the film has survived as a firm cult favourite, mainly for the night-club scenes featuring (amongst others) The Standells and The Chocolate Watchband. The original soundtrack album reissued here includes The Chocolate Watchband's Don't Need Your Lovin' and Sitting There Standing, two of their wildest performances and reportedly close to the raw feel the band generated in-person. The Standells' appearance in the movie further fuelled their punk notoriety. As an added bonus for their fans, Rarities contains 11 rare and unissued tracks including the early (1965) recording It's All In Your Mind, recorded at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood. The CD booklet also contains many rare photographs.

Ace Rcds

Artists - Tracks
1. The Standells - Riot On Sunset Strip (Tony Valentino, John Flack) - 2:25
2. The Mugwumps - Sunset Sally (Vincent Malamed) - 2:20
3. The Sidewalk Sounds - The Sunset Theme (Mike Curb) - 2:25
4. Debra Travis - Old Country (Debra Travis) - 2:02
5. The Chocolate Watchband - Don't Need Your Lovin' (David Aguilar) - 2:39
6. The Mom's Boys - Children Of The Night (The Mom's Boys) - 2:29
7. The Sidewalk Sounds - Make The Music Pretty (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner) - 1:41
8. The Standells - Get Away From Here (Larry Tamblyn) - 2:09
9. Drew - Like My Baby (Mike Curb, Drew Bennett, Davie Allen) - 2:02
10.The Chocolate Watchband - Sitting There Standing (David Aguilar, Gary Andrijasevich, Bill Flores, Mark Loomis, Sean Tolby) - 2:23
11.The Standells - Love Me (Dick Dodd, Tony Valentine) - 2:46
12.The Standells - Batman (Neal Hefti) - 3:06
13.The Standells - Our Candidate (Mike Smith) - 4:12
14.The Standells - The Boy Who Is Lost (Larry Tamblyn) - 2:34
15.The Standells - It's All In Your Mind - 2:42
16.The Standells - School Girl (Graham Gouldman) - 2:17
17.The Standells - I Hate To Leave You (Tony Valentino, Dick Dodd) - 2:33
18.The Standells - Looking At Tomorrow (Barry Mann, Cynthia Well) - 2:18
19.The Standells - Don't, Say Nothing At All (D. Washington) - 2:32
20.The Standells - Try It (Joseph Levine) - 2:50
21.The Standells - Rari (Ed Cobb) - 5:33

Related Acts
1966  The Standells - Dirty Water
1966  The Standells - Why Pick On Me
1966-67  The Standells - Try It
1966-67  The Standells - The Hot Ones (rare out of print issue)
1965-67  The Chocolate Watchband - Melts In Your Brain...Not On Your Wrist / The Complete Recordings
1967  The Chocolate Watch Band - No Way Out
1968  The Chocolate Watch Band - The Inner Mystique
1969  The Chocolate Watchband - One Step Beyond
1966-68  The Chocolate Watchband - Forty Four

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The Unspoken Word - Tuesday April 19th (1968 us, wonderful melodic distillation of folk baroque psych rock, 2007 extra tracks release)

The first album from this Long Island-based ensemble was a tuneful and ambitious collection of psychedelic folk-rock tricked out with polished harmonies and arrangements featuring elaborate horn and string charts. If anything, Tuesday, April 19 often sounds a bit too elaborate for its own good; the arrangements certainly reflect the trippy, philosophic bent of Gene Stashuk's lyrics (which also suggest a Christian undertow), but fairly often they also tend to overpower them, and on these sessions the Unspoken Word sound more like a studio project than an organic group with a personality of its own. 

The irony is this has a great deal to do with the precision with which the Unspoken Word play their music; Angus MacMaster's keyboard work is especially impressive, with a striking dynamic sense, and vocalist Dede Puma would have done any number of Broadway musicals proud with her rich, expertly modulated instrument.

On tunes like "After the Before," the Unspoken Word sound a bit like the Free Design after an acid trip and a couple semesters of philosophy class, and while that might sound like damning the Unspoken Word with faint praise, the truth is few bands embraced the psychedelic philosophy while maintaining a composer's fine control over their music the way the Unspoken Word did on Tuesday, April 19. If the two sides don't always mesh perfectly, fans of oddities of the psychedelic era will doubtless find this to be intriguing stuff. 

by Mark Deming

Tracks
1. Anniversary Of My Mind - 2:37
2. For The World - 1:48
3. Waking Up (Gene Stashuk, B. Barrette, Denise Puma) - 3:22
4. Moving Day - 2:13
5. After The Before (Gene Stashuk, Denise Puma) - 3:45
6. Distant, Oh So Far - 3:04
7. Rossby (Gene Stashuk, Angus MacMaster, Les Singer) - 2:42
8. Flock Of Birds (Gene Stashuk, Angus MacMaster) - 2:28
9. Sunday Suit of Clothes - 2:27
10.We're Growing - 2:58
11.Boy - 2:06
12.Nobody's Nothing - 2:19
13.On A Beautiful Day - 2:31
14.And It's Gone (Gene Stashuk, Denise Puma) - 1:53
All songs by Gene Stashuk except where noted.

The Unspoken Word
*Angus MacMaster - Keyboards
*Denise "Dede" Puma - Vocals
*Gene Stashuk - Lead, Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
*Greg Buis - Bass, Vocals
*Les Singer - Drums

1970  The Unspoken Word

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