The Strange Experience of Music

For all of you, music lovers, who want to discover some more deeply buried gems from the sixties and the seventies, I have to recommend the amazing website of my friend pilou72.

http://www.thestrangeexperienceofmusic.com/

Mike Tingley, Jeremy Storch, The George Edwards Group, John Terlazzo, Dan Casamajor, Randy Johnson, Jonathan Round, Jay Bolotin, Kevin Vicalvi, Kusudo & Worth, Wayne Faust, Scotti, Hopkins & Bradley, ... and many many others !

Guys, that man revealed most of the hidden treasures from the golden era of psychedelic music long before some excellent labels reissued them.

Further you can hear on his website a selection of the best tracks from each album posted there. Not samples, full-length tracks !

I won't never thank you enough Sébastien.

Your audio-blog changed my life !!!

Randy Burns - "Of Love and War" - US loner folk 1967

Randy Burns is a minor figure on the Greenwich Village '60s folk scene, but his albums are largely enjoyable examples of post-Dylan psychedelic folk; the first three have the added collector value of being on the legendary New York indie ESP-Disk although they're not as interesting as, say, Pearls Before Swine.

Burns was born in Connecticut in 1948 and ran away from home at the age of 17. After the requisite period spent bumming around with a guitar on his back, the teenager ended up in New York City at the tail end of the folk boom of the early '60s, sleeping in Washington Square Park and busking for spare change. In early 1966, at the age of 18, he landed a regular gig as the permanent opening act at the legendary Gaslight Club on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village. Shortly thereafter, Burns was approached by ESP-Disk founder and president Bernard Stollman, who invited the young folk singer to record for his label. Although Burns' style was far more "normal" than anyone else on the label (his cohorts included the Fugs and the Godz, plus the best of the city's free jazz scene), he dutifully recorded his first album, 1967's Of Love and War, a pleasant but fairly unremarkable folk album of the time with Burns' smooth voice accompanied only by his acoustic guitar and Emery Fletcher's occasional 12-string accents. Burns only plays three originals (all quite good), with the rest of the album consisting of scene standards by folks like Eric Anderson and David Blue, with a haunting version of Irene Paul's haunting 1940s anti-war ballad "Mr. War" the highlight.

Tracks :

01. All You've Done for Me - 2:35 - (Burns)
02. Thirsty Boots - 4:39 - (Andersen)
03. I Like to Sleep Late in the Morning - 2:07 - (Blue)
04. Thoughts of Spring - 2:59 - (Burns)
05. Coming of the Roads - 2:54 - (Wheeler)
06. Civil War Medley - 6:49 - (Traditional)
07. No Change in Me - 4:14 - (Ghent)
08. Farewell from a Rambler - 2:09 - (Burns)
09. Sour Grapes - 2:49 - (Ghent)
10. Time of Parting - 4:28 - (McGrath)
11. That's the Way It's Happened All the Time - 2:55 - (Staines)
12. Mr. War - 3:24 - (Paul)

Musicians :

Randy Burns - guitar, vocals
Emery Fletcher - guitar

Link : http://www.megaupload.com/fr/?d=H1TS5OZO

Beautiful US '60's loner folk from one of ESP's more accessible artists. This is his debut album from 1967 and contains simple acoustic guitar and voice with some delicate flourishes intertwining around Randy's gentle vocal style.

Great album !!!

SANDOZ - "Pay Attention" - UK 1995 (1971 recordings)

The kind of unknown recording you always hope somebody’ll unearth, but rarely does. Completely gone and twisted, over-the-top Beefheartian rockgrunt 'n blueshowl by an early 70’s band nobody’d ever previously heard wind of.

Contains recording from 1971 of short-lived underground hardrock/psych/blues trio that featured John Goodsall on guitar, vocals (sounding like vintage Captain Beefheart!), and compositions, as well as Jim Mercer on bass and Gary Lonsdale on drums.

As the name of the group might imply, this is head music, and is really not anything like what Goodsall went on to do with Brand X. Three longish tracks unearthed from the vaults. This has become an instant collectible by virtue of the fact that only 350 copies were pressed.

Really, the only peers this recording has in the UK were some weirder EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND moments, the prog end of STACKWADDY, and perhaps that RUSTIC HINGE LP.

Tracks listing :

1. Apple Core Machine (8:36)
2. I Ain't Strong (8:42)
3. Demi-God (13:26)

Link : http://www.megaupload.com/fr/?d=W6F915O7

Don't miss this rarity even though the rip is not perfect !!!

DAMON - "Gypsy Eyes" - US 1999

"Damon" : this is the artistic name of David Del Conte, a genius American gypsy musician who is responsible of probably the rarest and most sought-after psychedelic music album of all time, I mean "Song Of A Gypsy".

Following after the same haunting, hypnotic, modal melodies as Damon's original masterpiece, "Song of a Gypsy", the lyrics on "Gypsy Eyes" show a deeper truth and as life's journey reveals a deeper wisdom regarding love, and life itself.
The original album, "Song of a Gypsy", represented the beginning of Damon's search for love and the meaning of life.
The new album, "Gypsy Eyes", speaks of growth and a greater understanding of what has been learned over these past several years. The songs are about love; good times, and bad.

Tracks listing :

01. Gypsy Eyes (4:23)
02. Hold On (5:14)
03. You're Mine (5:38)
04. Livin' in Limbo (4:20)
05. Seems Like I Traveled (4:23)
06. My Song of Love (4:56)
07. Listen to the Voice (3:49)
08. Tomorrow, Yesterday, Right Now (4:16)
09. In the Quiet of the Evening (6:19)
10. The Gift (5:29)

Thirty years later, a welcome return from this US minstrel !!!

Link : http://www.megaupload.com/fr/?d=ZHRPP8QS

Hoping you'll enjoy !

Philippe Collignon 's shop on line !!!

Welcome on the new site of Music-Emporium !

The Belgian place where you can make your on-line purchases.

ONE OF BIGGEST SPECIALISTS IN
Psychedelic - Garage - Acid Folk - Progressive - Space Rock - Beat - R'N'B
Kraut Rock - Hard 70's - Blues Rock - Soul - Funk - Jazz
Exotica - 80's 90's Alternative Rock
Classics / Cult Bands

LP's & CDs

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http://www.music-emporium.be/

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A thousand of thanks to my friend Philippe Collignon who made me discover the best rare & unknown albums from the 60 & 70's ! His advices were always precious.

MAYFLY - Same (Delicate Dutch Folk Psych - 1973)

In 1970, a group was founded in Bergen, N.H. by the name of Guruperide. In 1971, the name of this soft rock group was changed to Mayfly.

A delicate and soft folk rock album, similar to Tudor Lodge or The Trees but with a pop twist. Most of the songs are short, and don't tend to evolve much, with lovely instrumental passages of acoustic guitars, violin, some horns (especially flute), nice vocal harmonies and the occasional piano solos. The album flows well from start to finish, conveying a pleasant state of mind, this would be wonderful for an afternoon or a chilly evening.
(Review by bilbo1742 on rateyourmusic.com)

Members :

Gustaaf Verburg (vocals, bass, guitar and piano)
Onno Verburg (vocals, guitar)
Ide Min (vocals and electronic instr.)
Maarten Min (vocals, drums)
Huub Nijhuis (bass, cello)
Arie de Geus (piano and violin)

New link : http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A567ZRM4

This group made one of the best Dutch progressive folk albums in a poetical style similar to several British groups (Spirogyra, Fuchsia, Beatles) or even the first album by the German group Hoelderlin. What makes it so strong are the expressive vocals of Maarten Min, enchanting melodies, a reflective or sorrowful mood and good English lyrics. This is typified by tracks such as "Dawn Of An Old Man's Life" and "Lemoncake", although a few tracks are lighter in mood and more influenced by the folk-style of late 60's Beatles or Honeybus. An album that easily stands out of the crowd and therefore strongly recommended.
(Asbjørnsen - Scented Gardens Of The Mind)

LISTEN - Same - Great Xian downer Folk Psych LP (US - 1973)

Four longhaired teen guys and their excellent homemade acoustic rock endeavor with relaxed guitars-only wholesome earthy in-tune-with-nature sound. The songs are moving, sorrowful, hypnotic, melancholy, sincere, deeply meditative - the guy I got this from thought they sounded like Azitis unplugged and I’m inclined to agree. Nice dreamy atmosphere from the plaintive harmonies and interplay of the three guitars, bringing a moody surreal presence to songs like ‘Clouds And Suns’, ‘Why’, ‘Jesus Love’, ‘Forgive’, ‘His Face’, ‘Chapel’ and ‘Nows’. Upbeat strummed moods on ‘Prisoner’s Prayer’ and the brisk jangly opener ‘Spring Thing’. ‘Relativity’ and the mostly instrumental ‘The Unknown Sea’ are spoken poems backed by acoustic guitar. The guys got their start at a talent show in 1970 at Camp Lutherhoma in eastern Oklahoma. Really strikes a chord. The album has recently gotten a reputation among psych collectors and can now go for some large dollars.
(Taken from heavenly-grooves.blogspot.com)

Link : http://www.megaupload.com/fr/?d=L5SNJH89 (Bitrate : 320)

Another unknown gem ! Don't miss it !!!

MELLOW CANDLE - "Swaddling Songs" (Irish Prog Folk - 1972)

From Dublin, Ireland, MELLOW CANDLE specialised in imaginative psychedelic folk rock and early progressive rock, with the singing talents of two ladies (Alison WILLIAMS and Clodagh SIMONDS), in addition to bassist Frank BOYLAN, drummer William MURRAY and guitarist Dave WILLAIMS. The music displayed a prodigious degree of natural talent for songwriting, harmonizing, and arrangement.

"Swaddling Songs" debut album is rich in varied and a true sonic marvel of beauty and simple melodies, and, most of all, a blending of two of the most beautiful voices in all of music. This is a fantastic album that deserves new discovery.

Track Listings :
1. Heaven Heath (3:00)
2. Sheep Season (5:01)
3. Silver Song (4:26)
4. The Poet And The Witch (2:51)
5. Messenger Birds (3:39)
6. Dan The Wing (2:45)
7. Reverend Sisters (4:21)
8. Break Your Token (2:27)
9. Buy Or Beware (3:05)
10. Vile Excesses (3:14)
11. Lonely Man (4:28)
12. Boulders On My Grave (3:40)
13. Feeling High (2:23) Bonus track
14. Tea With The Sun (3:18) Bonus track
Total Time: 48:46

Line-up/Musicians :
- Frank Boylan / bass
- William Murray / drums
- Clodagh Simonds / vocals, keyboards
- Alison Williams / lead vocals
- David Williams / guitar, vocals

Don't miss this very great album !!!

Link : http://rs253.rapidshare.com/files/84889133/Mellow_Candle_-_Swaddling_Songs.rar

IKARUS - Same (Germany 1971)

IKARUS played progressive rock that sometimes was in the vein of VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR. The sound is dominated by emphasis on guitar and organ interplay, but the use of flute, saxophone and clarinet add more color to their compositions. A solid album.

Track Listings :
1. Eclipse: (15:24)
a) Skyscrapers
b) Sooner or later
2. Mesentery (6:11)
3. The raven (including "Theme for James Marshall") (11:43)
4. Early bell's voice (7:43)
Total Time: 41:01

Line-up/Musicians :
- Lorenz Köhler / lead vocals
- Wolfgang Kracht / bass, back vocals
- Jochen Petersen / acoustic & electric guitars, alto & tenor saxes, flute, clarinet, back vocals
- Bernd Schroder / drums, percussion
- Manfred Schulz / guitar, lead vocals (4), back vocals
- Wulf-Dieter Struntz / organ, piano

A very good addition for your Krautrock collection !!!

Link : http://rapidshare.com/files/45214928/IKARUS.rar.html

Enjoy, it's one of my favs from the german scene !!!

SERENE - Serene - Germany - 1979

Symphonic and melodic hard-rock band with techno touches, akin to mid-70's style Birth Control. Drummer Jim McGillivray was in between having left Epitaph and joining Eloy, there are comparisons musically here to both bands. In fact Serene aren't original at all, but do perform a competent brand of progressive rock with wide appeal.

Peter Wolk (vocals), Achim Kirschning (keyboards), Berny Töberg (guitars), Lothar Heimberg (bass), Jim McGillivray (drums)

SERENE LP Lava TCH 81001 (1979)

(taken from "The Crack In The Cosmic Egg" light version)

Link : http://www.megaupload.com/fr/?d=T59MDT7S

Enjoy !!!