The suitably titled Insane Times (2007) is a U.K. compilation marking the 40th anniversary of pop music's psychedelic renaissance with over two dozen obscure gems from the voluminous EMI archives. The package's chief compiler and researcher, John Reed, quickly points out in the preface to his track-by-track annotations that while a volume dedicated to EMI's tie-dyed rarities should boast Pink Floyd's "Vegetable Man," the Beatles' "Carnival of Light," and Donovan's demo of "Hurdy Gurdy Man," these known and widely bootlegged selections could not be accessed due to "contractual reasons." While those specific songs may not have yet seen the digital light of day, there are still plenty of goodies that are getting well-deserved exposure. Some, for the first time, in quite literally decades. Several of the bands found on this anthology were home (albeit briefly) to up-and-coming stars. Before joining the ranks of Yes, Steve Howe contributed to Tomorrow's sonic psychosis on "Real Life Permanent Dream." In deference to the liner notes, siblings Michael Giles and Peter Giles had yet to meet Robert Fripp when they were known as the Brain and responsible for the "Nightmares in Red" surreal pastiche of melody and dissonance. On the completely other side of the stylistic spectrum, former Yardbirds member Paul Samwell-Smith offers the dark, self-penned ballad "World Spinning Sadly." Incidentally, the Zonophone spin-off imprint is named for one of the earliest known portable turntables. It came housed in a self-contained case and was first used to demo the so-called "talking machines" in the more technologically challenged regions of the United States.
Tracks:
01. Kevin Ayers (1969) - Song For Insane Times (Kevin Ayers) - 4:01
02. July (1968) - Dandelion Seeds (single version) (Tom Newman)- 3:18
03. Tomorrow (1968) - Real Life Permanent Dream (Keith Hopkins) - 3:14
04. Ipsissimus (1969) - Hold On (Gordon Haskell/Howard Conder/Rod Lynton) - 3:36
05. Mandrake Paddle Steamer (1969) - Strange Walking Man (Martin Briley/Robert Engel) - 3:10
06. The Gods (1968) - Towards The Skies (Joe Konas) - 3:23
07. The Penny Peeps (1967) - Model Village (Denny Alexander) - 2:51
08. Paul Jones (1968) - The Dog Presides (Paul Jones) - 2:42
09. The Idle Race (1968) - Hurry Up John (Jeff Lynne) - 3:30
10. The Orange Bicycle (1969) - Last Cloud Home (John Dove) - 3:04
11. Jon (1967) - Is It Love? (Leopold/Mills) - 2:51
12. The Brain (1967) - Nightmares In Red (Peter Giles) - 2:17
13. Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (1967) - Equestrian Statue (Neil Innes) - 2:43
14. Rainbow Ffolly (1968) - Sun Sing (Jonathan Dunsterville) - 3:59
15. Simon Dupree & The Big Sound (1968) - Castle In The Sky (Eve King/Paul Smith) - 2:43
16. Tales Of Justine (1967) - Monday Morning (David Daltrey) - 3:20
17. Mike Proctor (1967) - Mr. Commuter (Ron Roker/Maurice John Littleood) - 2:46
18. The Hollies (1967) - All The World Is Love (Clarke/Hicks/Nash) - 2:10
19. The Aerovons (1969) - World Of You (Tom Hartman) - 2:29
20. The Lemon Tree (1968) - William Chalker's Time Machine (Ace Kefford) - 2:32
21. The Parking Lot (1969) - World Spinning Sadly (Paul Samwell-Smith) - 3:00
22. Herbal Mixture (1966) - Please Leave My Mind (Tony McPhee) - 2:38
23. The Koobas (1969) - Barricades (Keith Ellis/Tony Stratton-Smith/Stuart Leathwood) - 5:01
24. The Yardbirds (1968) - Think About It (Keith Relf/Jim McCarty/Jimmy Page) - 3:43
25. Syd Barrett (1970) - No Good Trying (Syd Barrett) - 3:20
Enjoy
Ty To Original Sharer
"I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free"
Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDelete