US-American rock band from Worcester, Massachusetts that enjoyed popularity in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Members:
Bruce Arnold , Eric Gulliksen, Harry Sandler, Jack McKenes, Steve Martin
Joyful (1968)
Joyful, Orpheus' third album, was recorded in February of 1969, and featured a perfect melding of Alan Lorber's incredible neo-classical orchestration with the instrumental and vocal talents of the group. Released in April as MGM
SE-4599, the album peaked at no. 197 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Today it is recognized as a classic of innovation, far ahead of its time.
Included in Joyful's unique arrangements were the multi-layered abstract vocals of the title song, one of the first uses of a D-tuned bass in As They All Fall, as well as one of the first, and only, uses of dual bass parts on several songs. In these, relatively conventional bass parts and sounds were used to support the orchestra, while complementary bass guitar parts, both more melodic and more rhythmic, were interwoven with the group's guitars and the orchestra to produce added musical colors.
The first single release from the album was Brown Arms in Houston b/w I Can Make The Sun Rise (MGM K14022), which peaked at no. 97 on the Billboard "Hot 100." A second single, By The Size Of My Shoes b/w Joyful (MGM K14139) was released early in 1970, but failed to chart.
Sadly, Joyful was to be the final recording by the original Orpheus. Shortly after a triumphant performance in the Sculpture Garden of the New York Museum of Modern Art, honored by a six-column photo and review on the front page of the New York Times Sunday Theater Section, the group disbanded. As Alan said in a 1992 article for Goldmine magazine: "No longer did sweet tones of an enchanted lyre drift past Congress Alley windows. Orpheus, the 'Music-Bringer,' singers mostly of love songs, the four who had laughed with Pan, vanished forever."~ (https://www.stephenandthesnake.com/)
Funny...About 10 years ago, I worked at the same company as the "drummer" (Harry, the guy top-center on the cover). He wasn't the most pleasant person and would get really mad when anyone found out that he didn't actually play on any of the records (nor most of the other musicians...the band mainly relied on studio musicians on the albums, but did play live). He did have some cool stories to tell from the band's heyday...watching the Who's Keith Moon when they toured together and hanging out with a young Eric Clapton whenever Cream was in town.
ReplyDeleteActually Harry Sandler and bassist Eric Gulliksen were the only two Orpheus members replaced on record. It's now common knowledge that legendary drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and bassist Joe Mack were brought in to lay down the rhythm sections with Orpheus lead singer and guitarist, Bruce Arnold. Bruce was really the brains behind Orpheus and responsible for the group's distinctive arrangements (with help from producer Alan Lorber). Jack McKennes (who was Arnold's partner in the folk grouo, The Villagers) contributed background vocals along with Gulliksen and even Sandler on a few tracks. Based on their responses online and in print, it's clear that neither Sandler nor Gulliksen ever expected the truth to come out. Even after Purdie replaced Sandler for the group's fourth self-titled album on Bell Records in 1971, Sandler continued to accept praise for Purdie's work. I imagine it must have been a particularly painful experience when Purdie came forward in the 80's and rightfully took credit for the recordings. In a podcast interview a few years back, Sandler was asked about Purdie's contributions and made a half-hearted admission stating "I guess some studio musicians were brought in but I really can't tell if it's me or someone else". C'mon Harry. Give us a break. The truth will set you free.
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ReplyDeleteHello my friend! Can you repost this one please? Many many thanks in advance!!
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