TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Morgen" - Morgen (1969 - Rei 2021)

"Morgen"  -  Morgen (1969 - Rei 2021)

The album "Morgen" has been on my top 20 bucket list and now I have one.  It's not an original.  I still hope to catch the rainbow, but original copies in vg++ or better are pricey.   So in the meantime, this reissue is just what the doctor ordered.  It has received the psych author Richard Morton Jack's laced-stamp of approval and most psychedelic connoisseurs in the vinyl community are well aware of its high standing.

This Long Island band Morgen was led by founder Steve Morgen.  Now here's the thing.  The band's self-titled, one-and-done classic isn't necessarily the heaviest psych album on the tree.  Not the trippiest.  But what the album has done is fallen into that elusive psychedelic sweet spot of fantastic fuzz guitar work, trippy lyrics, and creative directions.  Each song avoids the eye-rolling aura of sameness.  Or repetitiveness.  The album's spectrum travels from garage-psych to the outer boundaries of acid rock.  And it all sounds natural and unforced.

"Morgen"...is not especially rare.  It's not even really lost.  But people tend to hold on to it once they own it, so there comes the priciness.  YMMV, but the album gives off a wonderful "where have you been hiding" vibe that makes me feel like I discovered something!  It's that good!  Headphones or cranked..."Morgen" is just a really fun listen.  

"Morgen"  -  Morgen (back)

Favorites include “Welcome To The Void”...a gnarly fuzzed-out- biscuit that prepares the head for things to come.  "Of Dreams" is a whirly trip that brings some tasty guitar to tap on the windows.  Really good.  The closing track…"Love"… is a jazzed-psych horndog that will turn your headphone ears to Vulcan.

This is a Now-Again Records reissue that is numbered and limited to 2000 copies.  The album is a two-record gatefold with the first record being a remastered edition of the original 1969 pressing.  The second disc contains alternate takes and mixes and three unreleased songs mixed and mastered by Jason Bintner with the approval of Steve Morgen.  I spun the original album three times before tasting the alternate takes, etc.  I wanted to have a solid ear for the McCoy before the variations.  And the second disc is a real banger and sounded fantastic.  Enjoyable on its own.

The gatefold also includes a 12-page booklet with never before seen pictures, an interview with Steve Morgen, and liner notes by Jeff  Mao.  The album also includes a rather nice business card with the download code.  Until I luck into an original copy hidden behind some fake plants in the basement of an estate sale…this will do just fine.    The cover artwork is The Scream which was painted by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1893.

"Morgen"  -  Morgen (inside gatefold)

Limited Edition number

(12-pg. booklet)

(business card download card)

Now-Again Record label

Cat #
NA 5222
SIDE A  DEADWAX
NA 5222-HRE  ML210428  WELCOME TO 1979
SIDE B  DEADWAX
NA 5222-B  ML210322  WELCOME TO 1979
SIDE C  DEADWAX
NA 5222-C  ML210322  WELCOME TO 1979
SIDE D  DEADWAX
NA 5222-D  ML210322  WELCOME TO 1979

"Welcome To The Void" - Morgen / "Morgen" (1969)

TRACKS:
A1  "Welcome To The Void" 4:42
A2  "Of Dreams" 5:32
A3  "Begging Your Pardon (Ms. Joan)" 4:47
A4  "Eternity In Between" 4:30
B1  "Purple" 4:00
B2  "She's The Nitetime" 3:28
B3  "Love" 10:50
C1  "Purple" (Alt. Take)
C2  "She's The Nitetime" (Alt. Take)
C3  "Love" (Alt. Take-Mix)
C4  "Beggin' Your Pardon (Ms. Joan)" (Alt. Take)
D1  "Purple" (Alt. Take 2)
D2  "She's The Nitetime" (Alt. Take)
D3  "Welcome To The Void" (Alt. Mix)
D4  "All I Know"
D5  "Everything's Gone"
D6  "Woke Up This Morning"

PERSONNEL:
Steve Morgen - vocals
Bobby Rizzo - bass
Murray Schiffrin - lead guitar
Barry Stock - guitar
Mike Ratti - drums

Good stuff.

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