Aorta - Aorta (1968)

Aorta - Aorta (1968)

US psychedelic rock.

During the mid-'60s, the members of Aorta -- originally hailing from Rockford, IL -- had previously been in a group called the Exceptions. Early members of this group included Kal David (later of Illinois Speed Press and H.P. Lovecraft), Marty Grebb (the Buckinghams), and Peter Cetera (Chicago). The Exceptions were a soulful, if unremarkable, Top 40s cover group who were nevertheless acclaimed for their "exceptional" musicianship. They were one of the more popular acts on the greater Chicago local scene, and released a handful of singles on numerous Midwest labels -- Tollie, Cameo, Quill -- and for L.A.-based Capitol. For the last of these releases, the band dropped the "s" from their name and began calling themselves the Exception (a compilation for the Collectables label, The Quill Records Story, collects two of their singles). They also recorded an EP called "A Rock & Roll Mass for the Flair label; it featured six different rock songs with words taken from various religious prayers. As each member of the group -- with the exception of bassist Peter Cetera -- already had an eye toward expanding their original material to include a more "psychedelic" sound, they soon reconfigured themselves as Aorta, and, in late 1968, recorded a single for Atlantic. Eventually, producer Bill Traut (American Breed) approached them on behalf of Dunwich Productions, Inc., and -- with Bobby Jones taking over on bass after Cetera's departure -- they accepted his offer to record their debut album for Columbia in 1969. They recorded two albums under the name Aorta. The first of these, the self-titled Aorta, is today highly acclaimed as a lite-psych album of some minor renown, and though it managed to chart on Billboard's album charts, it failed to do what was expected. A revised version of the group -- still led by Jim Donlinger and now featuring Michael Been on bass/guitar/vocals -- recorded the drastically different second album, Aorta 2, for the Happy Tiger label. Jim Donlinger -- who along with his brother and Jim Nyeholt (during a brief period between the two albums), had all played in the Rotary Connection -- later left Aorta to join Lovecraft (formerly H.P. Lovecraft, who were signed to Reprise at the time), while Billy Herman would eventually move on to join New Colony Six. Michael Been later played with Moby Grape members Jerry Millerand Bob Mosley in Fine Wine, and ultimately achieved his biggest success with the Call. Been is also the father of Robert Turner of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The original Aorta later re-formed (joining another great Chicago-area group, the Cryan' Shames) to do promo spots for the U.S. Armed Forces on a very rare promotional LP. They've appeared on numerous compilations over the years. Aorta was re-issued on CD in 1996.

This is the debut album by a relatively obscure Chicago-based group whose membership can be linked to various other Chicago-area groups who have wider name recognition, including the Rotary Connection, Lovecraft (formerly H.P. Lovecraft), and New Colony Six. After first recording a single for Atlantic Records in 1968, the group -- previously a lounge act called the Exceptions -- signed with Columbia Records, the label who issued this eponymous debut, in 1969, during the same month that debut albums by three other Chicago-area acts were issued by Columbia: Illinois Speed Press, the Flock, and Chicago Transit Authority (featuring Peter Cetera). Columbia marketed each of these albums together as a part of a so-called "Chicago Sound," and all four entered the Billboard Top 200. Despite using numerous sound library effects (crying babies, ringing telephones, etc.) and the fact that songs on each side of the album run together with no break in between, Aorta probably shouldn't be viewed as a "psychedelic" album. Instead, a more accurate description would emphasize the group's jazzier art rock side, not to mention their abundant use of dramatic pseudo-soul vocals and histrionic guitar/organ arrangements. In truth, Aorta sound more like a few other keyboard-heavy rock acts of their day, especially Three Dog Night and Argent. The only single taken from the LP was "Strange" (an edited version of the track issued earlier by Atlantic) b/w the wonderfully titled "Ode to Missy Mxyzosptlk." Aorta's album ended up peaking at around number 168 and remained on Billboard's charts for a respectable six weeks. Aorta was reissued on CD in 1996.
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A monster classic of 60s psych!

This album really has the whole package, from the sophisticated production blending killer organ and guitar sounds, horns, strings, etc to distinctive, great vocals and outstanding songwriting. There are no weak tracks here, and each one has some melodies or hooks or stinging, powerful instrumental ideas that suck me in. There are also at least two or three bona fide elite classic songs here, really memorable, catchy slices of genius that belong on any comprehensive "best of 60s psych" comp.

In the flow of the album, there are a number of fascinating departures from conventional pop song format, notably the opening track and its unforgettable "main vein" chorus.

The whole vibe of the album is really unusual, not something that fits in with any of the standard reference styles for the era. One minor reference point, however, is early Chicago and the bright, hard-rocking horn-pop sound. The blues-rock element is masked with Aorta though. Something of this general flavor is in parts of Food's classic Forever is a Dream too, and I'd bet most fans of Food would dig Aorta and vice versa, just on an abstract sensibility, not on any especially strong similarities.

Probably the primary feeling of the music comes from the organ. Stripping away the brilliant compositional and production maneuvers, This is slightly heavy, trippy, psychedelic organ prog-psych-pop with an exaggerated, dramatic vocal style atypical of psych bands. (Not to the extremes of Arcadium or Vanilla Fudge though!)

The prog element deserves special mention. This was 1969. I'd argue this was one of the earliest prog albums in history. It really has a lot of the prototypical features of prog despite the psych context.

A singular gem whose peaks don't approach the highest of the era, but which earns a privileged place in my 60s rock collection for its consistent excellence and evocative, unforgettable creativity.

Tracklist:

1 Main Vein I
2 Heart Attack
3 What's In My Mind's Eye
4 Magic Bed
5 Main Vein II
6 Sleep Tight
7 Catalyptic
8 Main Vein III
9 Sprinkle Road to Cork Street
10 Ode to Missy Mxyzosptlk
11 Strange
12 Thoughts and Feelings
13 Main Vein IV

Anonymous - No Longer Anymous (1977)

Anonymous - No Longer Anymous (1977)

After the demise of Sixties garage psych legends SIR WINSTON & THE COMMONS, writer/vocalist/guitarist Ron Matelic reformed the band into a jangly swirling blend of THE BYRDS, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE and BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD with male and female vocals, electric 12-string guitar, lead guitar, bass, driving percussion and outstanding original songwriting. ANONYMOUS' sole LP "Inside the Shadow" was released in 1976 in a small pressing of 300 copies. Original copies now sell in collector circles for $600-plus. A second album of original material was recorded in 1977 after the band's name changed to J. RIDER but remained unreleased until a vinyl issue of 375 copies was issued in the mid-90's (long sold out). BOTH excellent LPs are now available on ONE COMPACT DISC. Liner notes, band history by Ron Matelic. Outstanding stuff!

Both albums on one CD by this superb US band. Anonymous released their only album in 1976 as a private pressing. It's a startling West Coast styled album with male/female vocals and jangling, ringing guitar work. Imagine Jefferson Airplane jamming with The Trees and Rumours era Fleetwood Mac and you are some where close to the folk/acid rock majesty of this record.

Tracklist:

2 LPs on one CD Track listing:

1. Who's Been Foolin' - Anonymous
2. J. Rider - Anonymous
3. Up to YouI, Pt. 1 - Anonymous
4. Shadow Lay - Anonymous
5. Pick Up and Run - Anonymous
6. We Got More - Anonymous
7. Sweet Lilac - Anonymous
8. Baby Come Risin' - Anonymous
9. We Got More - J. Rider
10. One Sided Lover - J. Rider
11. Pike River - J. Rider
12. Kiss Of Your Soul - J. Rider
13. Sunday's Hero - J. Rider
14. High Roller - J. Rider

The Animated Egg - Guitar Freakout (1968)

The Animated Egg - Guitar Freakout (1968)

Tracklist:

1. A Love Built On Sand 3:03
2. Inside Lookign Out 3:00
3. I Said, She Said, Ah Cid 2:13
4. _T_omorrow 2:32
5. Sure Listic 1:48
6. Sippin' & Trippin 2:09
7. Dark 1:53
8. Down, Down And Gone 2:21
9. Sock It My Way 3:25
10. That's How It Is 3:27
11. Fool's Luck 3:16
12. What's Your Bag 2:08
13. Boil The Kettle 3:06
14. Light Show 2:51
15. Expo In Sound 4:34
16. Free Form In 6 2:07
17. Our Man Hendrix 3:08
18. Red Eyes 2:57
19. Hard Times 2:43
20. Tune Out Of Place 2:24
21. Kimeaa 2:47

Andromeda - The Definitive Collection (1969)

Andromeda - The Definitive Collection (1969)

This two-CD set does include the entirety of Andromeda's sole, self-titled album (presented in sequence as the first eight songs), but there is so much more material here that this is much more than a mere expanded reissue of Andromeda. There's the non-LP single "Go Your Way"/"Keep Out 'Cos I'm Dying," and no less than 24 previously unreleased tracks, including the last six cuts on disc one and the entirety of disc two. Some of these additions are alternate versions of material from their LP and single, but most are entirely different songs. Sources are not given for all of these previously unavailable items, although five are identified as having been done for John Peel's Top Gear radio show in 1968, and two are noted as outtakes from Andromeda, two as 1967 recordings, and four as live 1967-1968 cuts. Although some psych/prog collectors may beg to differ, on the evidence of these tracks, Andromeda seem to have been a better band before their official album. Prior to Andromeda, they usually espoused a lighter, more melodic brand of British psych, sometimes strongly echoing the songs that Jack Bruce wrote and sang for Cream (check out "Ode to the Sea" especially) and the late-period Yardbirds (whom Andromeda sometimes supported live). Dig those couple of neat guitar-psych versions of "Exodus," and the tender folk-rock of "All in You," which differs from anything else the band recorded. The self-titled LP consists of erratic, undistinguished heavy psych with one foot in hard rock and one toe in metal, although the band does vary the mood with occasional quiet and reflective passages (see review under Andromeda entry for full details). Due to the wealth of material, this set is certainly preferable to other Andromeda releases -- legitimate or otherwise -- which contain less material, or only the tracks from the Andromeda LP.
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2 CD set includes much bootlegged first album by 60's UK band, featuring John DuCann (Atomic Rooster). Also includes unreleased tracks from John Peel's 'Top Gear' radio show.

Two discs,a total of 34 songs that showcase John DuCann's band just prior to joining up with Atomic Rooster.Honestly,some of these UK imports make certain U.S. releases look like a joke.Angel Air's packaging convinces you,the purchaser that you're getting something special,and you are.The best tracks on disc one are "The Day Of The Change",the rocking "Turns To Dust","The Reason","I Can't Stop The Song","When To Stop" and the irresistible "Let's All Watch The Sky Fall Down"(possibly the best cut of this entire compilation).Disc two is just as good,if not better.With tunes like another version of "The Reason","Keep Out 'Cos I'm Dying",the sinister-like sounding "Lonely Streets",the wailing "Sleep Like A Child" and a couple of semi-rough recorded live tracks,"Round House Blues" along with "Acidus".'Definitive...' is one of the better comp. CD's I've heard in sometime.I don't think I'm making an overstatement when I say that DuCann is quite a talented songwriter as well as performer.A true slice of psychedelic heaven with plenty of brilliant guitar work.Includes nifty twelve-page booklet where DuCann speaks of touring with Zeppelin and Sabbath back in the days long gone. Most highly recommended.

Tracklist

Disc: 1

1. Too Old
2. The Day Of The Change
3. Now The Sun Shines
4. Turns To Dust: Discovery/Sanctuary/Determination
5. Return To Sanity: Breakdown/Hope/Conclusion
6. The Reason
7. I Can Stop The Song
8. When To Stop: The Traveller/Turning Point/Journey's End
9. Go Your Way
10. Keep Out 'Cos I'm Dying
11. The Garden Of Happiness
12. Return To Exodus
13. Journey's End (Reprise)
14. Let's All Watch The Sky Fall Down
15. Darkness Of Her Room
16. See Into The Stars

Disc: 2

1. The Day Of The Change
2. The Reason
3. Return To Sanity
4. Keep Out 'Cos I'm Dying
5. Search On Listen
6. Ode To The Sea
7. Lonely Streets
8. Sleep Like A Child
9. I Was Left Behind
10. I Just Wanna Live My Life
11. The Lodger
12. Dreamland
13. Round House Blues (Live)
14. Walking On (Live)
15. I'm Searching (LIve)
16. Acidus (Live)
17. All In You
18. Step This Way

Andromeda - Andromeda (UK 1969)

Andromeda - Andromeda (UK 1969)

Tracklist:

1. Too Old 5:00
2. Day of The Change 5:04
3. And Now the Sun Shines 4:02
4. Turn to Dust 6:53
5. Return to Sanity 8:22
6. The Reason 3:34
7. I Can Stop the Sun 2:11
8. When to Stop 8:43
9. Go Your Way (Bonus) 3:06
10. Keep Out Cos I´m Dying (Bonus) 3:48
11. The Garden of Happiness (Bonus 3:14
12. Return to Exodus (Bonus) 2:28
13. Let´s All Watch the Sky Fall D 4:05
14. Darkness of Her Room (Bonus) 5:13
15. See Into the Stars (Bonus) 7:16
16. Search On (Bonus) 3:10