By reviving the swirling, guitar-heavy sounds of late-'60s psychedelia and infusing it with George Harrison's Indian mysticism and spirituality, Kula Shaker became one of the most popular British bands of the immediate post-Britpop era. More musically adept and experimental than Cast, Kula Shaker nevertheless worked the same vaguely spiritual lyrical territory, but musically they brought the overpowering rush of Oasis to psychedelia, a genre that the Mancunians had previously avoided. The band's classicist approach to rock & roll earned them both critical praise and derision, as they quickly rocketed to the top of the British charts.Led by vocalist/guitarist Crispian Mills ( the son of '60s actress Hayley Mills and film director Roy Boulting), Kula Shaker was initially a psychedelic quartet called the Kays, which formed in 1993. In addition to Mills, the Kays featured his teenage friend Alonza Bevan. The two had previously played together in a band named Objects of Desire; during that time they also ran a psychedelic nightclub in the back of an ice rink. Following the dissolution of Objects of Desire, Mills made a spiritual pilgrimage to India, and upon returning he formed the Kays with bassist Bevan, drummer Paul Winter-Hart, and vocalist Saul Dimont. Within a year, Dimont had left and organistist Jay Darlington had joined the band; prior to joining the group, Darlington had played in several mod revival bands. After spending two years touring and recording, releasing two EPs on Gut Reaction Records, the group had not made any headway. According to Mills, the band changed their name and direction in the spring of 1995, when he had an epiphany that the group should be called Kula Shaker after a ninth century emperor and pursue a more spiritual direction. For the next three months, they performed as Kula Shaker, and they quickly received a record contract with Columbia, which was eager to sign another band that had the multi-platinum, crossover appeal of Oasis.
"Grateful When You're Dead," Kula Shaker's debut single, was released in the spring of 1996 to moderate success, but it was the follow-up single, "Tattva," that established the band. Peaking at number four on the charts, "Tattva" had a chorus that was adapted from an ancient Sanskrit text and a colorful organ and guitar riff, which essentially encapsulated the band's sound. The single also set the stage for the band's debut, K, which appeared in September of 1996. Upon its release, K entered the charts at number one, becoming the fastest-selling British debut album since Oasis' Definitely Maybe. The album received reviews that ranged from enthusiastic to derisive, but the band continued to gain momentum, which eventually translated to a strong word of mouth in America. Kula Shaker wasn't able to replicate their British success in America, but "Tattva" became a Top Ten modern rock hit in late 1996, and the group received uniformly positive reviews. With the band members going their separate ways in 1999, Mills formed the power pop trio The Jeevas only to reunite the Kula Shaker in 2004. They have just released their "comeback" album, Strangefolk" to positive reviews. A welcome return boys!
Here are two of my favorite concerts by the band back in their hey day. Turn on the light show and play loud.
Kula Shaker Live in A Smokin' Paradise @ 160
I don't have a date on this one.
01- hey dude
02- hurry on sundown
03- 303
04- great hosannah
05- mystical machine gun
06- s.o.s.
07- greatful when you're dead - jerry was there
08- into the deep
09- i'm still here
10- tattva
11- shower your love
12- dance in your shadow
13- smart dogs
14- hush
15- sound of drums
16- time worm
17- last farewell
18- govinda
http://rapidshare.com/files/51538692/KulaShakerLive_in_A_Smokin__Paradise.rar
Kula Shaker 01/27/97 Live at Aston Villa Leisure center Birmingham @ 192
Baby You're a Rich Man
Knight on the Town
303
Grateful when you're DeadJerry Was Here
Ragi One (waiting for tomorrow)
For This Love
Drop In the Sea
Tattva
Smart Dogs
Start All Over
Hey Dude
Hush
Hollow Man (parts 1 & 2)
Into The Deep
Govinda
http://rapidshare.com/files/51537031/KulaShaker01_27_97_Live_at_Aston_Villa_Leisure_cen.rar
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