Saturnalia - Magical Love (1973)

A thoroughly competent slice of mystical West Coast influenced progressive psychedelia with an occult edge, some excellent female vocals and searing lead guitar work.
Thank you Ade Hawkins and Richard Houghton for your comments!

Saturnalia was a rock group produced by Yardbirds legend Keith Relf.
With a man named Adrian Hawkins and woman named simply Aletta heading up the vocal duties, their sound was assorted and fascinating combination of psychedelic rock. I preferred what they sounded like with Hawkins at the helm; Aletta’s voice was off key and irritating for the most part. The music in total bordered on pre-prog-rock with a strong leaning towards hard rock, albeit a different slant than what was available in that era. I am sure some folks would consider this as weird music, I prefer to say they were making music that was original and off the beaten path, which for me personally is very appealing.
Besides the tripped out artwork on both sides of the LP, a booklet is included that tells the story of the band with an outline of each individual personality including their astrological sign a full explanation of all the elements, fire and water and such. It is all very much what 1969 was all about. Old hippies (and new) will love this album! It seems there is always so much more to talk about besides the music when I receive an album with so much color and character. This is what collectors live for so snag it up before they disappear.

reviewed by Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck at progressiveworld.net

Adrian Hawkins - Vocals
Aletta - Vocals
Rod Roach - Guitar
Richard Houghton - Bass guitar
Tom Crompton - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Magical Love
2. She Brings Peace
3. And I Have Loved You
4. Winchester Town
5. Traitor
6 .Soul Song
7. Princess And The Peasant Boy
8. Dreaming
9. Step Out Of Line

Saturnalia - Magical Love (1973)

The Unspoken Word - The Unspoken Word (1970)

Here comes the second album by this largely unknown group from Long Island, New York. After their outstanding debut that could be described as folk rock with a psychedelic edge, the 2nd record is definitively more rock/blues orientated. Nevertheless, this rare album contains eleven very enjoyable tracks with fine instrumentation and excellent lead vocals. (acidvisions.com)

The Unspoken Word are:
Zenya Stashuk: lead guitar, rhythm guitar & vocals
Dede Puma: vocals
Greg Buis: bass & vocals
Les Singer: drums
Angus MacMaster: keyboards

Tracklist:

1. Pillow
2. Sleeping Prophet
3. Put Me Down
4. Personal Manager
5. Reincarnation
6. Sleepy Mountain Ecstasy
7. I Don't Need No Music
8. Little Song
9. Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
10. Around And Around
11. Morning

The Unspoken Word - The Unspoken Word (1970)

Trees - The Garden Of Jane Delawney (1970)

Debut album by the Trees, easily in the top three UK folk rock bands of the 70's, if not all time. Dating from 1970 the album blends trippy, twin lead guitar, West Coast acid rock with lilting English folk. The delicate female vocals of Celia Humphries and a haunting production weave a dark magical Celtic spell over misty musical moorlands. Captivating, beautiful and timeless.

Tracklist:

1. Nothing Special
2. Great Silkie
3. Garden of Jane Delawney
4. Lady Margaret
5. Glasgerion
6. She Moves Through the Fair
7. Road
8. Epitaph
9. Snail's Lament

Trees - The Garden Of Jane Delawney (1970)

The Illusion - The Illusion (1969)

The Illusion - The Illusion (1969)

An Italian - U.S. band, based in Long Island, New York, who played heavy rock with some psychedelic influence. The band were formed as The Five Illusions by the lead singer John Vinci as a senior in high school in 1964 (thanks John Vinci for leaving a comment). They enjoyed some minor chart success, and their albums were produced by the famous Jeff Barry. Good album and some cool guitar work.

John Vinci - vocals
Richie Cerniglia - lead guitar
Mike Maniscalco - rhythm guitar, keyboards
Chuck Adler - bass
Mike (Sylvester) Ricciardella - drums, percussion

Tracklist:

1. Did You See Her Eyes
2. Talkin' Sweet Talkin' Soul
3. Just Imagine
4. Run Run Run-Willy Gee
5. I Love You Yes I Do
6. Alone
7. Charlena
8. Why Tell Me Why-The Real Thing
9. You Made Me What I Am

The Illusion - The Illusion (1969)

Arthur - In Search Of (1968)

Arthur - In Search Of (1968)


ARTHUR 'In Search Of' LP  (Switzerland, RD, Catalogue #RD 13)

Mega-rare early recordings (45 rpm single, unreleased tracks and 1-sided Two:Dot label demo LP release) circa 1968-69 of acid folk/psychedelic music by Arthur (later signed to Tumbleweed Records and at that point recording as Arthur Gee.)

'Long awaited release of this psychedelic/acid folk masterpiece from the North. Arthur started his career in Toronto, Canada as folkie in the mid '60s. In 1969 he went to Colorado and recorded a 1-sided demo LP that surfaced some years ago in collector's circles. It was on Two:Dot, the same label that Hendrickson Roadhouse was on. Only a handful of demo copies were released and sent out to major labels to get a record deal. This happened only later after he signed with Tumbleweed Records and released two albums as Arthur Gee. This first ever official release includes his complete demo LP, unreleased sessions and his mega rare 45 rpm both from before the LP and recorded in Canada. The music can be described as a mixture of Perry Leopold, William C. Beeley and early Pink Floyd (his 45 rpm) which is pure magic. Pressed on heavy audiophile vinyl, ultra heavy old style cardboard sleeve and an insert with a bio witten by Arthur.'

'Dark, damaged acoustic strum folk in Perry Leopold style but a bit stronger vocally. Missed notes, stream of consciousness lyricism, and obsessions with mystic and biblical imagery. Saddened reports on the lost state of the planet. A great loner mini-LP, although you really can feel too much.'
~Acid Archives/RM

'The last track is a killer deep guilt-trip on level with Perry Leopold.'
~Acid Archives/PL

Tracks on this LP are as follows:

* Armstrong Tourist Resthome
* Tea Gardens
* Sunspots
* Dimensions/Plain Talk
* Tea Gardens
* Plain Talk
* Warm Traitor's Breath
* Armstrong Tourist Resthome
* Miller Tragedy
* Untitled
* Confessions

Arthur Gee Vinyl

Special thanks to Opa-Loka from Lost-in-Tyme who ripped the album and donated it to this blog!

Susan Christie - Paint A Lady (1970 )

Susan Christie - Paint A Lady (1970 )

Previously unreleased Psychedelic Folk album from 1970 by Susan Christie, a Philly based sophomore folk singer who had one novelty hit for a major label in the late '60s. This album, which featured her psychedelic take on Country standards and hand crafted tales of inner-city solitude backed by a Folk-Funk rhythm section, was not considered commercially viable and shelved...until now! Uber-legend John Hill produced the album which features 8 tracks including a 12 minute 'drugsploitation' epic called 'Yesterday - Where's My Mind' featuring Susan flipping vocal styles between Janis Joplin and Margo Guryan. Finders Keepers. 2006.

1. Rainy Day
2. Paint a Lady
3. For the Love of a Soldier
4. Ghost Riders in the Sky
5. Yesterday Where's My Mind
6. Echo in My Mind
7. When Love Comes
8. No One Can Hear You Cry

Susan Christie - Paint A Lady (1970 )

Psychedelic Art "Sunshine Dream" available as a print!

This fine art print is based upon a Garden Of Delights design, titled "Sunshine Dream". It's available in different sizes, and you can order it by clicking on the picture below! If you prefer to have a signed print, just send your request to peruvianpurple@gmail.com! Worldwide shipping.

Sunshine Dream Psychedelic Pop Art Poster by Freaky Lady

McDonald And Giles - McDonald And Giles (1970)

Originally released in 1970. These ex King Crimson pair teamed up to record a stunningly beautiful album with rich musical textures and Abbey Road-esque vocal arrangements and full orchestration, the album continued where their work in King Crimson left off and featured a guest appearance by Steve Winwood. This is a gem that requires immediate attention.

McDonald And Giles (1970)

Subway - Subway (1972)

Subway - Subway (1972)

A beautiful and very rare album from the annals of European psychedelic/folk/prog circa 1972. Subway were a half American, half British duo, living in France, who released 200 copies of this, their self titled album, on vinyl, and promptly disappeared without trace. Their sole 'gigging' consisted of busking in Paris subways- hence the band's name- and to add to the legend, it seems that most of the unsold copies were melted, which was usual French practice!! The music itself is dark, psychedelically inclined folk with elements of freeform prog: somewhere betwixt Comus and the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, but with less instruments.

Liner Notes:

Subway: It is not a group. It is a duo. It is not an ordinary duo. Composed of IRV, the guitarist, singer and author-composer - he is American; of MALCOLM, violinist - he is English.
IRV arrives in England where he meets MALCOM and they start working together. Sometimes later, they decide to try to break in France. But it is not so easy. They have no more money and sing in the underground to earn their living. Their music is surprising and very personal. All the titles included in this album are IRV's compositions.
Tracklist:

1. I Am A Child
2. Song For Sinking Shelters
3. Warm You Are
4. All The Good Things
5. Enturbulaton - Free Form
6. Arizona Sands
7. Rosanna Of The Roses
8.Can I Trade With You My Mind

Subway - Subway (1972)

Bachdenkel - Lemmings (1970)

Bachdenkel were located in France and as a result, they were not fully updated about the contamporary currents of British prog of the era, this worked in their favour as they used influences of the late 60's and updated them independently, they mix influences from the Beatles' Psychedelic era, singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Eastern and Hippie music and philosophy in a "Progressive" context. The result is magnificent, great songs with beautiful and unusual lyrics, great music and Swinburne's unique and warm vocals makes this album a great listening experience, a true masterpiece and highly recommended. (Gil Keltch)

Tracklist:

1. Translation
2. Equals
3. An Appointment With The Master
4. The Settlement Song
5. Long Time Living
6. Strangerstill
7. Come All Ye Faceless
8. The Slightest Distance
9. Donna
10. A Thousand Pages Before

Bachdenkel - Lemmings (1970)