Listening - Listening (1968)

Mp3 320\90 Mb

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Personnel:

Michael Tschudin - vocals, vibes, keyboards, conga drum

Walter Powers - bass & Feelthy Literature

Peter Malick - guitars

Ernie Kamanis - vocals, drums, guirro

Their one and only LP, released on the Vanguard label in 1968.Keyboardist Michael Tschudin uses what appears to be classical and jazz influences to both expand and explore the genre, without ever sounding pretentious. (And continued to do so well into the 70's... more on that later) The LP opens with the awesome "You're Not There", a tune of matured teen angst that rather than beg "Baby, please come back!", realizes it's way to late and comes to terms with it. ("~You just stare, Baby, you're not there~"). Great ripping guitar and an organ that crescendos at all the right times. Amazingly, this tune was covered by the NY band Odyssey on their obscure private press as a result of the band's management having heard the Listening version and thinking it could "be a hit". "Laugh At The Stars" has a very psychedelic Left Banke vibe with once again, great guitar leads that are subtle and in all the right places. The third cut "9/8 Song" is where we might lose a few folks as the piano is rolled out and used generously. Imagine The Wizards From Kansas jamming with Dave Brubeck. It works for me, it won't for everyone. Next up is the highlight of the LP and one of my all-time personal faves "Stoned Is". This is the herb smokers answer to Lou Reed's "Heroin". It captures such a mellow, stoned vibe that a mere listen may produce a contact high.Features a sound that's described in the liner notes as "Organ Wash" (This song was covered by Tschudin's later band "Cynara" on Capitol in the early 70's) It closes with the exclamation point of vocalist/drummer Ernie Kamanis moaning "SoooooooooStoooooonnneeddd". The LP is worth the price of admission for this tune alone, and I don't say that about too many albums. "Forget It, Man" and "I Can Teach You" are more progressive in nature and upbeat which is not the band's forte, but certainly tolerable. "So Happy" sounds like a Boyce & Hart Monkees tune, catchy but shallow. "Cuando" is a throwaway instrumental with a Latin vibe. "Baby, Where Are You" is the highlight of Side Two. A blues based tune that again has a Lou Reed vocal vibe and a stoned Young Rascals meet Sam Gopal musical vibe. The closer is "See You Again" and it has a trashy Lincoln St. Exit guitar sound, the hardest rocker on the LP and the tune where 16 year old guitarist Peter Malick gets to show off his chops. In my opinion this LP is the best of the more obscure Vanguard efforts. If keyboards aren't yourthing, you'll think a little less of it. If you dig the Odyssey LP or Stark Naked on RCA this is your Holy Grail.
The Acid Archives by Patrick Lundborg with Aaron Milensli & Ron Moore

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1. You're Not There 4:06

2. Laugh at the Stars 4:15

3. 9/8 Song 4:28

4. Stoned Is 4:51

5. Forget It, Man! 3:24

6. I Can Teach You 2:23

7. So Happy 2:33

8. Cuando 2:51

9. Baby: Where Are You? 6:23

10. Fantasy 1:02

11. See You Again 3:45

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