Wednesday 16 October 2013

ROBBIE BASHO - INDIAN II





















Vanguard 1976/2008

01. A Day In the Life Of Lemmeria
02. Night Way
03. The Butterfly Of Wonder
04. Laughing Thunder, Crawling Thunder
05. Thunder Sun
06. Kateri Takawaitha
07. Thunder Love
08. Song Of Great Mystery
09. Death Song

A real treat for Basho fans now. "Indian II" was to be the third album released on the Vanguard label (after 'The Voice Of The Eagle' and 'Zarthus', which puts it around 1976). Due to disappointing sales, Robbie was dropped from the label and this album remained unissued for thirty years.

In 2008, it appeared, out of nowhere on the Vanguard website for download. It only stayed for a short while, before disappearing again. No physical copy was issued.

I'm doubtful that the title was Basho's own, I'm guessing that like the artwork, it's the label's.

This is one of Basho's best and an important part of the picture. Enjoy, while you can.

DAVID CROSBY - THE P.E.R.R.O. TAPES




















Bootleg 1970

01. Wall Song #2
02. Walkin' In The Mountains #2
03. Wooden Ships
04. Walkin' In The Mountains #1
05. Epp Hour/Rounds
06. You Sit There (False Start)
07. You Sit There
08. Over Jordan/Wayfaring Strangers
09. Walkin' In The Mountains #3
10. Walkin' In The Mountains #4
11. Loser #1 & #2
12. Wall Song #1
13. Wild Turkey/Leather Winged Bat
14. Kids And Dogs
15. Is It Really Monday?
16. Loser #3 & #4


I've always loved David Crosby. I'm a huge fan of The Byrds (I fucking adore The Byrds), but some people never really take a shine to Cros. Egotistical, bullying, show off... it's easy to see why. But no one can sing like David Crosby. Add to that his strange (and still underrated) rhythm guitar playing, odd and original song compositions and his heart was always in the right place.

Rather than post any Byrds or Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) material, I thought I'd go with one of my favourite bootleg recordings, The P.E.R.R.O. Tapes.

P.E.R.R.O. stands for Planet Earth Rock & Roll Orchestra. Yak. But hey, it's California in the early seventies, what do you expect? The group was made of friends in the scene and in the area. Alongside Crosby are Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Paul Kantner, David Frieberg, Grace Slick and loads of others...

I'm not sure if these were recordings for an album, these guys are so high they never finish a song. But that's why these recordings are so wonderful. Semi improvised stoner jam songs performed by the cream of the West Coast scene. The whole vibe is relaxed and the joy and sincerity of the players is tangible.

There is quite a lot of writing about this recording and the whole P.E.R.R.O. thing online, it goes deep, and if you enjoy these recordings I suggest you dig.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - LAMMAS NIGHT LAMENTS VOLUME 04





















01. Paul Giovanni & Magnet - The Maypole Song
02. The Strawbs - In Amongst The Roses
03. Tickawinda - Go Your Way
04. Westwind - Robin Hill
05. Gryphon - The Unquiet Grave
06. Perry Leopold - The Journey
07. These Trails - I Share Your Water
08. Magic Carpet - The Dream
09. Mormos - Number Five In The Book
10. Magna Carta - White Snow Dove
11. Skybird - Snow Cloud
12. The Peelers - Ramblin' Robin
13. Waterfall - And For You
14. Melton Constable - River Lane
15. Oberon - Nottanum Town
16. Heron - The Wanderer
17. Incredible String Band - Air
18. Mr Fox - All The Good Times


Fourth installment of what is proving to be a very popular series. It would be a copyright nightmare but an official release of this set would be warmly received.

More of an obscure tracklist this time round, nice to see Hawaiian psyche folkers These Trails on there.