The Orient Express - Self Titled - 1969.

Here's another group from the sixties focusing on exploring the sounds of India and the Middle East. While it's well past a cliche to be doing that, especially by 1969, these folks do it quite well. The Orient Express grabbed a few ethnic acoustic instruments and modal ideas, and set out melding it with the 1967 vintage of the San Fran psych rock ballroom sound (with a hint of Syd Barrett's Floyd too). Along with the sitars, this band tries to play most of the guitar parts as f they are sitars too. Most of the tracks manage to work themselves into a whirling dervish-like frenzy. It's mostly instrumental, but we do get vocals from a fellow that sounds like he's channeling some of the less cuddly Hindu gods.

The first three tracks all work on the wild, strobe lit, sound quite amazingly, while the echoing canvas of "Birds Of India" takes a little more leisure, occasionally slipping into polyrhythmic insanity. "Caravan Of Silk" sound like the perfect music for enter an evil lair in some twisted low-budget (but great) adventure film, and "Azaar" eventually pulls out all the stops for a full frontal assault. Strangely enough the most pop friendly tracks appear near the end, with "For A Moment" and "A Little Star" sounding like tracks tailor made for the left-of-center, freakier radio stations (did AM radio have left of the dial?). With "Cobra Fever," we get a nice come down track along, which could end up in the aforementioned adventure film as the villain is plotting our hero's doom.

There's something mildly exploitative sounding about the Orient Express, but they tend to work up such a head of steam that I really don't care. It's like exotica for the turned on crowd.

Originally from Europe this band moved to the States. Guy Duris was actually born on the Left Bank and later met Golesorkhi, who had been decorated by the Shah of Iran for his drumming and was interested in applying Eastern rhythms to Western music, in Iran. They met Bruno Giet, a Belgian pilot and guitarist, in Paris while travelling around Europe. Soon the three members headed for America and settled in New York's East Village initially but ended up in California where their album was recorded. It's powerful Eastern-influenced psychedelia similar to Kaleidoscope.

Particularly fine examples of their marriage of Eastern and Western music are Train To Bombay and For A Moment. This album is highly recommended. They did not release any singles on Mainstream.
This act should not be confused with Liz Damon's Orient Express, who were from Hawaii and played cabaret music. They issued one album Liz Damon And The Orient Express (Anthem) 1970, and at least three singles: Loneliness Remembers/Quiet Sound (Anthem 51005) 1970, All In All/Walking Backwards Down The Road (Anthem 51006) 1970, and 1900 Yesterday/You're Falling In Love (White Whale ).
Fuzz Acid & Flowers
Highly recommended. Turn on the light show and trip.

01.Fruit of the dessert
02.Dance for me
03.Layla
04.Bird of India
05.Train to Bombat
06.Caravan of silk
07.Azaar
08.For a moment
09.Impulse (42 Drums)
10.A little star

http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/0LLB2Y95/Orient_Express.rar_links

Shredder - Wackers - 1973.

Shredder began as a side project for head Wackers Bob Segarini and Randy Bishop, but morphed into a full-fledged Wackers album and, ironically, probably the one that best captured their freewheeling live spirit. It also scored their sole hit, Day and Night, which leads off the record. A rollicking end to a true rock ‘n’ roll band.

The Wackers' third album (recorded in 1973 after the band had relocated to Montreal from California) has a distinctly British pop sensibility, both in Randy Bishop's faux-camp vocals and its stripped-down production. "Eventually, Even You Even ... Full DescriptionMe" sounds both like early David Bowie and a template for the Britpop explosion of the 1990s, while the tropical textures of "The Beach Song" recall mid-period Kinks, and "It's My Life" rivals the Raspberries in its pure unashamed pop exuberance.

Recording information: Montreal, Canada (1973).

The Wackers: Kootch Trotchim (guitar, bass guitar); Ernie Earnshaw (drums); Randy Bishop, Robert Segarini, J. P. Lauzon.

Additional personnel: Jerry Mercer (drums); Jack Schaefer, Frankie Hart.

Rolling Stone: "SHREDDER mixes charm and snafu but ends with the best faux-David Bowie ballad of '73, 'Last Dance.'"

Day & Night
Hey Lawdy Lawdy
I'll Believe in You
Put Myself to Sleep
Eventually, Even You Even Me
Coming Apart
It's My Life
Beach Song
Buck Duckdog Memorial Jam
Last Dance

www.megaupload.com/?d=LSRAQJAJ

Wackering Heights - Wackers - 1971.

Guitarist and singer/songwriter Bob Segarini formed the Wackers in 1970 in Montreal, Canada. The artists he pulled together for this new group were guitarist, keyboardist, and bassist Randy Bishop; pianist and guitarist Michael Stull; bassist and guitarist Bill Trochim; and drummer Spencer Earnshaw. After three years, the lineup lost Stull, and drummer Gerry Mercer was brought in to help out. All of the members came into the act with plenty of experience. After recording four albums, the group called it quits in 1974.

The Wackers completed their debut album, Wackering Heights, in 1971 under the Elektra label. Two more albums followed, Hot Wacks and Shredder, each a year apart. In 1974, the group's last year together, Wack 'n' Roll was recorded. That fourth album, created during the slow death of the Wackers, was never to have a release date. Some of the tunes from the group during it lifespan include "I Don't Want My Love Refused," "White House," "No Place for the Children," "Body Go Round," and "Country Queen."

After the group fell apart, each of the members went on with a career in music. Lead singer Bob Segarini stepped into the world of solo performing and recorded several albums of his own.
Produced by Gary Usher of Byrds fame, the Wackers’ 1971 debut was out of step with the heavy (Led Zep) and heavily produced (Pink Floyd) fare in fashion at the time, full of jangly guitars, three-part harmonies and rock ’n’ roll attitude. The predictable result: mediocre sales but great critical acclaim! And, boy, does this record sound good now! I had the vinyl of this wonderful album. Great, great rock and soaring harmonies.

1 Travelin' Time Bishop, Coolidge, Segarini 2:53
2 Body Go Round Segarini 2:58
3 Don't Be Cruel Blackwell, Presley 2:59
4 Country Queen Bishop, Segarini 3:17
5 Strangers Bishop, Segarini 3:29
6 Don't Put Down the Singer Bishop 3:17
7 I Don't Want My Love Refused Segarini, Stull 2:48
8 White House Stull 3:39
9 I Like Bishop, Bishop, Segarini 2:07
10 On the Way Up Bishop, Segarini 3:26
11 Such a Good Thing Bishop, Segarini, Stull 3:14
12 No Place for the Children

http://rapidshare.com/files/174281078/753_Wackers_-_Wackering_Heights__1971_.rar

Love Heals - The Complete Recordings - Colours - 1967.

Colours launched onto the scene in 1968 with a stunningly glorious Psychedelic masterpiece of L.A studio wizardry. A super group before the name was coined, Colours was the brainchild of Gary Montgomery and Jack Dalton, two hard-working, former Motown songwriters who also penned songs for The Turtles, Nino & April and The Moon. This magical mystery tour-de-force of Psychedelic Beatlesque pop also features the talents of Derek & The Dominos bassist Carl Radle. This first-ever CD issue of their long-out-of-print albums (Colours and Atmosphere) is supplemented by long-lost '67 Dalton & Montgomery recordings cut just months before they formed Colours. 1969's Atmosphere features former Beach Boy David Marks around the same time he was a member of The Moon, another band with many connections to Colours. The 16-page colour booklet also includes rare, unpublished photos and comprehensive liner notes that feature the participation of original band members.

I bougnt the LP when it first came out, played it to death, and then spent the next FORTY YEARS searching for it, in LP, cassette, CD, whatever. It never appeared.And then, miracle of miracles, out comes the REAL CD. This was exceptional pop music, and the extensive liner notes will clue you in to the whole history. This is intelligent pop - great arrangements, harmonies and melodies.

I'm taking it with me to the desert island!

From album Colours (1968):
01.Bad Day At Black Rock, Baby - 3:26
02.Love Heals - 2:36
03.Helping You Out - 3:00
04.Where Is She - 2:25
05.Rather Be Me - 3:37
06.I'm Leaving - 2:47
07.Brother Lou's Love Colony - 4:29
08.I Think Of Her (She's On My Mind) - 2:12
09.Lovin' - 1:39
10.Cataleptic - 2:08

`67 Dalton & Montgomery (bonus tracks):
11.Don't You Realize - 1:55
12.Tommorrow's Women - 2:06
13.All At Once - 1:42
14.Right Or Wrong - 1:51
15.She'll Be The One - 2:36
16.She Just Wanted Kisses - 2:07

From album Atmosphere (1969):
17.Angie - 3:17
18.God Please Take My Life - 6:05
19.When Will You Be Coming Home? - 2:28
20.I Tried To Make You Love Me Last Night - 3:31
21.Grey Day - 3:54
22.Smillin' In Toronto - 4:09
23.Hyannis Port Soul (Lost You To The Wind) - 2:18
24.Run Away From Here - 1:59
25.It's Time To Tell You - 4:04
26.Announcement - 1:56
27.I'll Be Your Friend - 2:17
28.You're High - 2:37

Colours:
*Chuck Blackwell (drums, percussion)
*Jack Dalton (guitar)
*Rob Edwards (lead guitar)
*Gary Montgomery (keyboards)
*Carl Radle (bass)

http://lix.in/-53274c

password: xara

Thanx to phrock!

Miss Butters - The Family Tree - 1968.

A Classic of West Coast Psychpop. And a Much Sought after Gem....after The Breakup of San Francisco Garage Groups the Brogues ("Ain't No Miracle Worker"), Most Members Went on to Quicksilver Messenger Service....bassist Bill Whittington Formed the Family Tree with Bob Segarini of the Ratz and the Enigmatic Lee Michaels....the Latter Soon Dropped Out, and a Couple of Innovative Singles for the Mysterious La Based Mira Label Brought them to the Attention of Not Only RCA, but Sunbury Music's Dick Campbell and his Friend and Big Hope, Harry Nilsson....with Input from Harry (At this Time Being Hailed as a Genius by the Beatles Nd Writing Songs for Everyone from the Monkees and the Turtles on Down) the Band Embarked on the Semi-conceptual Album "Miss Butters"....an Amazing Semi-lost Gem of West Coast Psychpop Genius on a Par with Harry Nilsson's Own Records of the Period. Miss Butters is a lost classic from the 60s. It's an amazing record, really, and the real, first rock opera that got lost in the rush of releases of the day. It tells the story of Miss Butters, from birth without a father (He had died out on his farm, before he had a chance to hold his baby girl in his arms) to death (Miss Butters passed away, and we were instructed to write a card) and in between, growing up, becoming a teacher (Mrs. McPheeny would have wanted it that way) and losing in love. It's got great harmonies and nice flashy touches of orchestration.

Tracklist:
1.Birthday/Dirgeday
2.Melancholy Vaudeville Man
3.Any Other Baby
4.Sideshow
5.Mrs. McPheeny
6.Butter's Lament
7.Simple Life
8.Slippin' Thru My Fingers
9.Nine To Three
10.Lesson Book Life
11.Nickelodeon Music
12.Miss Butters
13.The Underture

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T8Y95WDL

Cellophane Symphony - Tommy James and The Shondells - 1969/70.

Cellophane Symphony, credited to Tommy James & the Shondells, came only seven catalog numbers after the Crimson & Clover album, but oddly got a Top Ten hit in between the four hits that the earlier disc spawned. "Sweet Cherry Wine" is as good a pop song as one will ever hear, hitting the Top Ten in April of 1969, five months after "Do Something to Me" and five months before "Sugar on Sunday," both from Crimson & Clover (though it was the Clique who clicked with their version of "Sugar on Sunday"). This beautiful song, "Sweet Cherry Wine," is the epitome of peace, love, and '60s understanding, with a sound that is very much like TJ's own version of "Sugar on Sunday." The radio attention to a single on the highly experimental Cellophane Symphony is equally extraordinary because the album is very much like Tommy James doing his own Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. There are oddities, like side one's closer, "Papa Rolled His Own," which could be "When I'm Sixty Four" meets "You Know My Name, Look up the Number"; two Beatles offbeat ditties; and the almost as wacky "On Behalf of the Entire Staff & Management," which ends side two. In between is some lovely pop music, which one finds after they trip their way through the amazing nine and a half minutes of the title track. The instrumental song "Cellophane Symphony" is early Pink Floyd meets "20,000 Light Years From Home" when the Stones gave Satanic Majesties Request. It is the only title credited to the entire band, followed by two of five Ritchie Cordell/Tommy James co-writes: the poppy and excellent "Makin' Good Time" and the beautiful "Evergreen." Covered in keyboards and acoustic guitar, "Evergreen" is Tommy James being the folky and the pop star, a unique look at this underrated and important artist. It's a perfect setup to "Sweet Cherry Wine," which is the standout track, the subtle intro exploding into a chorus of the best type of anti-war sentiment: "Let's just get along." Pete Lucia writes two songs with James, one being the amazing "Changes," which opens side two, while Mike Vale helps James on "Loved One," making this a very special collection of ten songs wrapped up in a stunning black-and-white psychedelic cover of a hatch shell, empty benches, and cool '60s photography. Though Tommy James is all over the book Bubblegum Music Is the Naked Truth, he is beyond just an artist who hit with that genre. He's an artist whose value is evident on his country album, My Hed, My Bed, and My Red Guitar, as well as other catalog treats, like this disc with its strong compositions "Loved One," "The Love of a Woman," and the Richard Grasso/Tommy James hit that is a true pop classic, "Sweet Cherry Wine."

A1 Cellophane Symphony (9:37)
A2 Makin' Good Time (2:41)
A3 Evergreen (2:07)
A4 Sweet Cherry Wine (3:57)
A5 Papa Rolled His Own (1:46)
B1 Changes (5:36)
B2 Loved One (4:02)
B3 I Know Who I Am (3:25)
B4 The Love Of A Woman (4:29)
B5 On Behalf Of The Entire Staff & Management (3:53)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A5V5RWOS

Crimson and Clover - Tommy James and The Shondells - 1969.

Crimson and Clover is a highly underrated album. Not until recently has it begun to garner the recognition it deserves as a forgotten classic. Hopefully someday Crimson and Clover will be mentioned in the same breath as such classic albums as Odessey and Oracle ,Pet Sounds and Forever Changes (Now let's not go overboard!!!). If you honestly dig psychedelic guitars and swirling, distorted keys, pick up a copy of Crimson and Clover on vinyl while they are still fairly cheap. You will be in for a rockin' good treat!

Tracklisting:
A1 Crimson & Clover (5:26)
A2 Kathleen McArthur (2:41)
A3 I Am A Tangerine (3:25)
A4 Do Something To Me (2:28)
B1 Crystal Blue Persuasion (4:01)
B2 Sugar On Sunday (3:19)
B3 Breakaway (2:45)
B4 Smokey Roads (2:39)
B5 I'm Alive (3:12)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CKIMRTFJ