TCCDM Pulls One Out..."The Mandrake Memorial" - The Mandrake Memorial (1968)
"The Mandrake Memorial" - The Mandrake Memorial (1968)
I didn't know what to make of The Mandrake Memorial's self-titled debut album. For whatever reasons, my expectations were skewed and I just wasn't prepared for the spin. My expectations threw me off course. In other words, my head wasn't ready for what my ears were hearing. This album is definitely psychedelic-minded, but it comes at you from a more floaty, atmospheric realm. And often with subtle, ominous undertones.
There are obvious Doors comparisons, but where The Doors enjoy entering your home through the front door with a baseball bat in hand...Mandrake Memorial outta Philly, PA, chooses to slip inside through an unlocked window and politely cover your face with a pillow while your guard's down. And if no one's home, they leave a note saying..."Sorry we missed ya!" and come back another night. What I mean to say in my poorly ascribed metaphorical way is...if this self-titled square doesn't hit your ears right the first time around...(like it missed mine)...give the square another spin or two. It's a grower and I'm glad I have it.
"The Mandrake Memorial" (back)
Favorites include the smoke and ethereal "Rainy May." The fuzzed-out head-push "Dark Lady." "Strange" creeps and claws. The heady closing track "Sunday Noon." The album is a mono promo on the Poppy Records label and has a great logo. The words "Disk Jockey Record NOT FOR SALE" is printed on the label above the spindle hole. The vinyl came in a stereo album cover with "MONO" taped on the front. Probably done to save the record company some money.
It's always a rush to find an album you never see out in the wild. The seller had a pricey tag on the record, but an OBO on the box. I must've picked the album up a half-dozen times before throwing out a number. It wasn't a steal, but it was fair and much less than the seller was originally asking. I clearly remember it being my find of the day.
Poppy Records label (Promo Copy)
Cat #
PY40,002
SIDE A DEADWAX
PY40002 Side 1 MG1564 Re-1 Σ
SIDE B DEADWAX
PY40002 Side 2 MG1565 Σ
"Rainy May" - The Mandrake Memorial / "The Mandrake Memorial (1968)
TRACKS:
A1 "Bird Journey" 2:40
A2 "Here I Am" 3:50
A3 "Rainy May" 3:45
A4 "This Can't Be Real" 3:45
A5 "Dark Lady" 4:14
B1 "House Of Mirrors" 2:28
B2 "To A Lonely" 3:50
B3 "Strange" 3:55
B4 "Next Number" 4:11
B5 "Sunday Noon" 7:08
PERSONNEL:
Craig Anderton - guitars, sitar
Randy Monaco - vocals, bass
J. Kevin Lally - drums, timpani
Michael Kac - keyboard, vocals
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