DM's Beatles forums
Other music forums => Various Artists, Lyrics, Discographies => Topic started by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on August 28, 2011, 06:06:57 PM
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As a 60's fan, I always look for obscure rock albums from that time, and of course sometimes one can meet with records that turn out to suck. However, that seeking can also bring rewards like finding really good obscure albums. The following albums are some examples, which I recommend you to listen to if you didn't.
The United States Of America (1968). The only album by the band of the same name, it's an amazing rarety. Very experimental but still fun. As a curious detail, there's no guitar in the record, but it's replaced by other electric instruments and sounds so that you won't notice it. Highlights include "Hard Coming Love", "The Garden Of Earthly Delights", "Where Is Yesterday" and the funny Kinks-influenced "I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife For You, Sugar".
The United States of America - Hard Coming Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtWS2IXsLf0#)
Nazz (1968). The debut album of the same named band, commanded by a teenager Todd Rundgren. The sound is not very original, it's mostly a rip-off of other 60's acts, but if you like bands like Cream, the Yardbirds (actually the name of the band came from their song "The Nazz Are Blue") and the Who (the album even starts with the same intro of "I Can't Explain") you will enjoy it a lot. The best songs are the great opener "Open My Eyes" and the magnificent ballad "Hello, It's Me", but the whole record is worth to be heard.
The Nazz Open My Eyes (HQ) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erC9qkaOHnk#ws)
Love - Four Sail (1969). Love is now a relatively well known band, especially because of their cult album Forever Changes. However, Four Sail seems to be ignored even by rock critics, and one can understand why: at this point only Arthur Lee stayed from the original lineup of the band. But the record itself is really good. The sound is wilder than the three classic albums of the band, with several acid rockers that seem to be inspired by Cream and Hendrix ("August"; "Singing Cowboy"; "Robert Montgomery"), but there was also space for a gentle tune that would have fit in fine on Forever Changes ("Always See Your Face").
Love - 07 - Robert Montgomery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o49l-pqg778#ws)
Now you can recommend other obscure 60's records that I might not have heard.
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English band that would become Gentle Giant, Simon Dupree was a nice band, they made just the one album I think.
(http://www.kingbeerecords.co.uk/pics/large/simon_dupree_and_the_big_sound-without_reservations-lp.jpg)
simon dupree & the big sound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0svzLY-u7E#)
Bare Wires by JounMayalls Bluesbreakers has always been a particular favourite, brilliant line up, Mick Taylor on Gibson Les Paul, Hiseman on drums, just fantastic
JOHN MAYALL - Bare wires - Where did I belong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPf1mtWMbHs#)
more to come :)
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Thanks nimrod, didn't know about those albums, interesting music.
On the other side, here's a rare record that I took notice because of its great psychedelic cover, but I wasn't much impressed by the music.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kMkWq1e4b7s/Spwzw45VoNI/AAAAAAAAD0g/ffFbZ3KwI5U/s400/front_cover_small.jpg)
The Other Half - Feathered Fish . (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1o1mnef1m0#)
The interesting thing about that song is that it was written by Arthur Lee. Actually it seems to be a carbon copy of "Seven And Seven Is".
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THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kMkWq1e4b7s/SghOC-reacI/AAAAAAAAB2U/LkFyyqvkj_g/s400/front_cover_small.jpg)
I AM THE GOD OF HELL FIRE - AND I BRING YOU........!
Back in 1968 the smash hit single "Fire" sounded like nothing else at the time, i wore my copy out but only recently got round to buying this amazing album (better late than never!!). The original vinyl sounds fantastic if you can get hold of a good copy, though the reissued CD sounds ok. On it there are mono versions of the first five tracks which sounded rather different and lacklustre to me, especially "Fire". The stereo versions are quite different and sound normal, all the songs on the album still sound amazing. Produced by Who knob-twiddler Kit Lambert (Pete Townshend was associate Producer) and the keyboards and arrangement skills of Vincent Crane, this album holds a very special place in rock/prog history.
"Prelude - Nightmare" introduces the listener to Arthur Brown's wonderful vocals and Gillan- style screams, the fire/horror theme and story carries through with "Fanfare-Fire Poem", and the aforementioned hit "Fire" - "you're gonna BURN!!!!!". "God brother - you lie!"....."Come and Buy" continues the story starts with a slow plodding tempo which breaks into a typical 60's style rock rhythm, "come and see....come and buy..". This track has many interesting little motifs and signatures throughout, including a great brass section, very 60's sounding indeed. This is followed by a similar sounding "Time/Confusion", which includes half sung, half spoken vocals, backed by organ, strings and a glockenspiel, ends with a reprise of "Fire!" The next track is an all-time favourite standard of mine "I Put A Spell On You", there are some brilliant versions of this song, most notably by The Alan Price Set in 1966, the Arthur Brown version here is no exception, and includes some fine keyboard playing from Vincent Crane who you all know went on to form "Atomic Rooster". "Spontaneous Apple Creation" is another half sung/spoken song which includes some interesting lyrics about strawberries, three million people, confused devastation..... and apple creation! "Rest Cure" was released as the B- side to "Fire", a good song different to the mood of the album but fits in ok nevertheless. "I've Got No Money" is another track that seems disassociated with the theme of the album, but it's not a bad song. The last song "Child of the Kingdom" has a catchy piano "riff" if i may call it that, the song is a the longest track on the album and seems like a blues/jazz jam, and features all the musicians, including those who can whistle! It has some interesting keyboard effects here and there, and a very catchy chorus. Overall a very listenable album and for its musicianship, ideas and importance , essential.
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The Crazy World of Arthur Brown-Fire (1968) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCTaxGhRC5M#)
Arthur Brown - Fire (Top of the Pops 1968) [HQ] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z61tlxcqaVE#)
;D
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Sounds like this Arthur Brown is a Frank Zappa kind of guy!
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Carl Palmer was the drummer for Arthur Brown.
I like the Simon Dupree tune and I want to check out more. The United States Of America is one of those bands thats been on my to do list for a long time and i've just never bought it. Will remedy that soon.
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this was awesome;
The Nice - America 1968 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45pIvr4gJD4#)
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Thanks nimrod, didn't know about those albums, interesting music.
On the other side, here's a rare record that I took notice because of its great psychedelic cover, but I wasn't much impressed by the music.
The interesting thing about that song is that it was written by Arthur Lee. Actually it seems to be a carbon copy of "Seven And Seven Is".
and the cover reminds me of Forever Changes
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Not real obscure, but a few I dig.
COLLECTORS- (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NBHLCnUe8#ws)
The Cryan Shames THE SAILING SHIP from 1967 Psychedelic Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxoKNOV-NZ4#)
Lazy Smoke - All These Years.1968 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbI5EUltQWU#)
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this was awesome;
The Nice - America 1968[/url]
I remember this! I didn't think I knew it until I listened just now. My brother was really into Yes, Rick Wakeman, etc. so I am sure that is where I heard it.
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and the cover reminds me of Forever Changes
Yeah, that's true!
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Not real obscure, but a few I dig.
COLLECTORS- ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NBHLCnUe8#ws[/url])
The Cryan Shames THE SAILING SHIP from 1967 Psychedelic Rock ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxoKNOV-NZ4#[/url])
Lazy Smoke - All These Years.1968 ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbI5EUltQWU#[/url])
Those were obscure for me. There's still a lot of great 60's music out there to be listened.
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The United States Of America is one of those bands thats been on my to do list for a long time and i've just never bought it. Will remedy that soon.
I think you'll like the record beyond a couple of "Revolution 9"-like excesses (though much more listenable!). Here're some other songs from that album:
the United States of America-the garden of earthly delights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0cuX0WSdhg#)
United States Of America - Where Is Yesterday (1968) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bds5iYbBJRY#)
The United States of America - I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife for You, Sugar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUCBArbKtMw#)
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Those were obscure for me. There's still a lot of great 60's music out there to be listened.
I wasnt sure. 'Lydia Purple' by the Collectors (Chilliwack before they were Chilliwack) was pretty popular back in the day. 'The Cryan Shames' are pretty well know even if that song is a bit rare. 'Lazy Smoke',,,,,,yeah, they would be obscure.
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I wasnt sure. 'Lydia Purple' by the Collectors (Chilliwack before they were Chilliwack) was pretty popular back in the day. 'The Cryan Shames' are pretty well know even if that song is a bit rare. 'Lazy Smoke',,,,,,yeah, they would be obscure.
I still have a lot to learn, haha.
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I still have a lot to learn, haha.
Don't we all? ha2ha
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not very obscure
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wRKRgFMmL._SS400_.jpg)
but a darned fine album by The Small Faces (http://www.amazon.com/Small-Faces-35th-Anniversary-Deluxe/dp/B000068GTI/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_4)
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they were a great band, better than the later Faces IMO, Marriots voice was as soulful as it gets
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Hi everyone! I'm having a hard time finding an Obscure album for 60's addicts! I know that TINY TIM does not suite me very well! Take care.
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Is anyone familiar with this '66 psychedelic record by The 13th Floor Elevators?
(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9731/thepsychedelicsoundsoft.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/thepsychedelicsoundsoft.jpg/)
I don't know if obscure or not, but I gave it a listen today and it's pretty interesting. Notably mostly for the so called "jug playing", the album has a very distinctive sound (mostly psychedelic, given by the groovy jug). The songs don't seem to differ much one from another though (or maybe they just seem that way on the first listen).
Anyway, here's 'You're Gonna Miss Me', the hit single. This is about as famous as the album gets :
13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzIOt40IJcI#)
The band's discography includes 3 more albums (one of which is a live album) and all of them seem to be getting mostly positive reviews.
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Yeah, the 13th Floor Elevators have the distinction of being one of the first psychedelic bands. At the time, I was aware of their recording of It's All Over Now Baby Blue...
13th Floor Elevators - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGqEFQ5xmjU#)
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I struggle with the 13th Floor Elevators for some reason. I think its the jug to be honest. They just dont hit me for some reason.
Here's a few more I like a lot-
The Penny Peeps featuring Martin Barre of Jethro Tull fame on guitar. I dont have a proper album, but I do have a few singles and I like them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QqLl3zezrg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QqLl3zezrg)
Orange Bicycle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgpx6smYMOU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgpx6smYMOU)
Billy Nicholls (Probably a top ten album of all time for me)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLR-Ijsfs1k&feature=related (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLR-Ijsfs1k&feature=related)
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I struggle with the 13th Floor Elevators for some reason. I think its the jug to be honest. They just dont hit me for some reason.
</quote>
I see what you mean. It felt like I had a fly buzzing around my head. You say the whole album is like that? I'll take your word for it. ;D
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I struggle with the 13th Floor Elevators for some reason. I think its the jug to be honest. They just dont hit me for some reason.
I see what you mean. It felt like I had a fly buzzing around my head. You say the whole album is like that? I'll take your word for it. ;D
It seemed so at the first listen. But it gets better and better.
'You're Gonna Miss Me' is definitely the highlight on the album but there's this thing that keeps bugging me : the singer's voice sounds exactly like someone else's. I can't figure out whose. I've been thinking about every single band/artist I know, but it's gotta be more than that. Something like... it sounds like X used to sound on the chorus of that Y song. (hope that makes sense). Give it a listen from about 0:16 when he starts to sing. The very first verses sound very very familiar, especially when he pronounces "dawn". If someone has any clue at all, it would really be helpful.
Here's the song :
13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzIOt40IJcI#)
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Just picked this one up...
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/napup/mind_flowers.jpg)
Nothing to write home about, but kind of interesting as a part of psychedelia history. They were obviously emulating Jefferson Airplane, but the vocalists couldn't quite cut it. Pretty good instrumentalists, though.
8)
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ok Hombre (everyone) here is a superb obscure British group that existed from 68 to 70, tell me you dont like them
CRESSIDA
Cressida - Munich (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj5vDqqDJQk#)
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ok Hombre (everyone) here is a superb obscure British group that existed from 68 to 70, tell me you dont like them
CRESSIDA
Cressida - Munich ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj5vDqqDJQk#[/url])
That was pretty good Kevin, I really enjoyed it, thanks!
I haven't listened too much of the following band, just these two songs; I guess they could be considered as obscure:
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - Smell of Incense 1967 Remastered (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vmaWXdtqzg#)
West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - Eighteen Is Over The Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JkvajIYuoU#)