A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Fever Ray - "Keep the Streets Empty for Me" 2009
A bit of a newer cut today. "Fever Ray" is the cover name for Karin Dreijer of Sweden and also the name of her debut solo album (Karin formally with the group "The Knife")
Four singles were released from the album; this is not one of them.
At one time Karin was asked about the meaning of this song. She replied words to the effect that this song was written by a deer.
Let's delve deep into hippiedom, circa 1968. (it won't be the last time ...)
A Boston band marketed as an alternative to the "San Francisco Sound". "marketed" pretty describes the end of the short-lived hippie era.
"One day, in 1967, I was in my room, tripping on some really pure LSD. I started looking at myself in the mirror and my face was doing funny things. I had a bunch of colored markers I used to draw with. I grabbed a green one and started drawing all these psychedelic designs on my face. When I was done, I looked at myself and said 'Whoa! I am ultimate spinach. Ultimate spinach is me!'"
The band did tour with bands such as "Big Brother & The Holding Co" (Janis Joplin) and the "Youngbloods" and released three albums, each fading away a bit more - the third did not make the charts; but the first is still listed as a "psychedelic classic".
"The Spinach's self-titled debut album is now considered a psychedelic classic, but it's the group's second record, Behold and See, that is perhaps their finest achievement."
This cut is off the second LP, "Behold and See", which was re-released on a heavily edited CD in 1995 but is now available in the original format on vinyl for $25.
"Obviously the hit from this album is “Mind Flowers” by the wasted Ultimate Spinach, a drug bathed band from Boston who came into being in 1967, at the apex of the psychedelic musical experience." Dec 2020
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: B-52s - "Private Idaho" 1980
"Idaho is pretty mysterious to all of us. I know it's a beautiful state, but then I know there's also a lot of crazy right-wingers and all that stuff."
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selections: Jon Astley "Jane's Getting Serious" 1987 and Superfine Dandelion - "Janie's Tomb" 1967 They just seem to go together ...
Jon Astley is a British record producer and recording engineer. The list of groups he worked with is extensive: The Who, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, etc. He recorded two albums as songwriter/singer in the late '80s. "Jane's Getting Serious" is the most prominent of these.
Superfine Dandelion was a 1967 garage rock band out of Phoenix. They recorded one no-hit album and broke up in 1968. One of their members - Rick Anderson - became the founding bassist for the Tubes.
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Beatles - "Taxman" 1966
A classic tune for Tax Day - from the album "Revolver"
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat If you get too cold I'll tax the heat If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Deep Purple - April
A lesser known tune off Deep Purple's lesser known third album "Deep Purple" released in 1969. "Hush" off their first album ("Shades Of ...") gave the band a presence in the US but their second album (Book of Taliesyn) did not do well (#54) with a cover of "Kentucky Woman" being the most successful cut. "Deep Purple" was even less successful (peaking at #162). It wasn't until their 4th studio album - "In Rock" - released in 1970 that the band could be considered successful with "Black Night", "Child In Time", "Speed King" as significant cuts.
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Vangelis - "Glorianna" 1988
Off the album "Direct" - another of my favorite albums ... (as opposed to single cuts).
SK got talking about opera ... which led to the soundtrack of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" in a Rolex commercial (my fault) ... which then reminded me of this cut.
A sample of some obscure – and some maybe not obscure – tunes from my strange and off-the-wall collection.
Today’s selection: Ozric Tentacles - Space Out
I'd say Pink Floyd on acid, but that's a bit redundant - at least regards Pink Floyd's early days.
How about Pink Floyd with a bit of Porcupine Tree, both on acid?
The vast majority of their songs are instrumentals because, "I've never really liked vocals. Words always get in the way, make everything too specific. Our music is more about creating moods and giving the listener the chance to get whatever they want out of it. Music is better than singing."
