Originally formed in 1964 as the Classics (adopting the name CFUN Classics when they gigged to promote local Vancouver, BC radio station CFUN-AM), the group was featured as the house band on Let's Go, a weekly TV show. In 1965, they released two singles as the Canadian Classics and then reinvented themselves as the Collectors in 1966. By 1967, in addition to lead singer Howie Vickers, the Collectors included Claire Lawrence (tenor sax, organ, recorder, flute), Bill Henderson (lead guitar), Glenn Miller (bass) and Ross Turney (drums) -- the band's "classic" line-up. Recordings from this period include their stunning debut LP titled “The Collectors” and followed with “Grass and Wild Strawberries.” Vickers' departure from the Collectors in 1969 necessitated Henderson's promotion to lead vocalist. Eventually, the band rechristened themselves Chilliwack.
Behind the superb Art Nouveau artwork on the sleeve of this their self titled debut (1968) is hiding one of the true, hidden and forgotten gems of Canada. To achieve this kind of perfection as a first try, back in the late 60’s is simply astounding (they only had a few singles beforehand) and unfortunately all too rare. Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence (the main core of the group) made a fantastic songwriting partnership.When you put together a group of top-notch classically-trained, jazz and rock musicians, the result is likely to be extraordinary - and this album is unique. Every song on the A side is different, ranging from bouncy Tull-like folk-rock through acid/metal to a pessimistic anemia sounding like Jim Morrison on downers. The album was more a local and cult favourite than a major success; the only top-40 single was Lydia Purple (a bit like Eleanor Rigby with recorder obbligato) - and ironically the only song not written by the Collectors themselves. Side B is a single continuous piece on the theme "What is Love", innovative and remarkably successful, running the gamut from moody reflection through psychedelica to frenzied despair for almost 20 minutes
I first spotted this as an LP back when it was released some thirty-eight years ago. A friend had a copy and the cover intrigued me so I checked it out. It proved to be more than intriguing so I hunted down a scratchy copy of my own at a local thrift store and later replaced it with a by-then rare and expensive near mint LP. It has always been a favorite of mine. Yes side 2 (the last cut on the lp) is taken up by the indulgent "What Love (Suite)", however side one is a treasure from the opening ethereal to anthemic "What Is Love" to the brilliant psychedelic/pop of "She (Will-O-the-Wind)" and "Lydia Purple", filled with an abundance of tasty hooks and folk-rock harmonies that remind one of the equally esoteric finer moments of The Electric Prunes and Giles & Fripp. These two songs alone are worth the price of this album. Why they didn't cross over and become hits in North America is beyond me, but so goes the music industry. And then there's Howard Vicker's crooning on "One Act Play", which is powerful and yearning, so much so as to make Scott Walker envious. There's even the sci-fi rock ballad "Howard Christman's Older", which joins the ranks of great, little known gems along side Clearlight's "Mr. Blue", the latter certainly not to be confused with the Fleetwoods classic of the same name. I have played this LP to a number of friends over the years, people with varied and eclectic tastes, and all of them have marveled at this record. You will too. I hope many more people discover the unique flavour of this short-lived Canadian West-coast phenomenon. Need I say more?? Actually, yes!!! The record company says "New Vibrations From Canada" on the back sleeve, but when some almost 30 years later, you listen to this record, WOW!!! They are still brand new vibrations.
Behind the superb Art Nouveau artwork on the sleeve of this their self titled debut (1968) is hiding one of the true, hidden and forgotten gems of Canada. To achieve this kind of perfection as a first try, back in the late 60’s is simply astounding (they only had a few singles beforehand) and unfortunately all too rare. Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence (the main core of the group) made a fantastic songwriting partnership.When you put together a group of top-notch classically-trained, jazz and rock musicians, the result is likely to be extraordinary - and this album is unique. Every song on the A side is different, ranging from bouncy Tull-like folk-rock through acid/metal to a pessimistic anemia sounding like Jim Morrison on downers. The album was more a local and cult favourite than a major success; the only top-40 single was Lydia Purple (a bit like Eleanor Rigby with recorder obbligato) - and ironically the only song not written by the Collectors themselves. Side B is a single continuous piece on the theme "What is Love", innovative and remarkably successful, running the gamut from moody reflection through psychedelica to frenzied despair for almost 20 minutes
I first spotted this as an LP back when it was released some thirty-eight years ago. A friend had a copy and the cover intrigued me so I checked it out. It proved to be more than intriguing so I hunted down a scratchy copy of my own at a local thrift store and later replaced it with a by-then rare and expensive near mint LP. It has always been a favorite of mine. Yes side 2 (the last cut on the lp) is taken up by the indulgent "What Love (Suite)", however side one is a treasure from the opening ethereal to anthemic "What Is Love" to the brilliant psychedelic/pop of "She (Will-O-the-Wind)" and "Lydia Purple", filled with an abundance of tasty hooks and folk-rock harmonies that remind one of the equally esoteric finer moments of The Electric Prunes and Giles & Fripp. These two songs alone are worth the price of this album. Why they didn't cross over and become hits in North America is beyond me, but so goes the music industry. And then there's Howard Vicker's crooning on "One Act Play", which is powerful and yearning, so much so as to make Scott Walker envious. There's even the sci-fi rock ballad "Howard Christman's Older", which joins the ranks of great, little known gems along side Clearlight's "Mr. Blue", the latter certainly not to be confused with the Fleetwoods classic of the same name. I have played this LP to a number of friends over the years, people with varied and eclectic tastes, and all of them have marveled at this record. You will too. I hope many more people discover the unique flavour of this short-lived Canadian West-coast phenomenon. Need I say more?? Actually, yes!!! The record company says "New Vibrations From Canada" on the back sleeve, but when some almost 30 years later, you listen to this record, WOW!!! They are still brand new vibrations.
1 What Is Love (3:53)
2 She (Will-O-the-Wind) (3:53)
3 Howard Christman's Older (5:10)
4 Lyndia Purple (2:48)
5 One Act Play (3:43)
6 What Love (Suite) (19:05)
