TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party (1969 - Rei 2015)

"Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party (1969 - Rei 2015)

This is a 'religious' psych-rock album.  Christian in nature.  And it's really good.  In 1969, The Search Party were getting their Jesus on...but their message is not delivered in an obnoxious heavy-handed manner.  In fact, if you were never told about the genre...well...you would never have guessed.  The music is West Coast familiar with haunting psych-folk ethereal trippiness one moment and heavy fuzzed-out acid rips another.  

There are a couple of weaker tracks, but mostly "Montgomery Chapel" is a heady, mind-borrowing groove thing.  It's all quite a hypnotic and unexpected mystery how the musical journey gradually unfolds from needle drop to label.  Some accidental magic is how I choose to explain it.  It happened.  Only 600 copies were originally pressed.  I'd love to own one, like that will ever happen.  But in the meantime, this 2015 reissue is a nice square to grab.

"Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party (back)

Favorites include the haunting "When He Calls" and the epic side one closer "So Many Things Have Got Me Down."  "You and I" and "The News Is You" are both scorching fuzz-burners.  The latter is especially tasty.

My 2015 reissue includes a nice 4-page booklet with info and band history from The Search Party leader Rev. Nicholas T. Freund.  Lyrics and photos are also provided.  The hype sticker declares Lion Productions is the only authorized reissue of this 1969 album.  The Search Party can also be found mentioned in The Acid Archives.

"Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party

 Hype Sticker

"Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party 

(Front & Back booklet)

"Montgomery Chapel" - The Search Party 

(Inside booklet)

Lion Productions label

(Reproduction of original Century label)

CAT #

32013

SIDE A  DEADWAX

LION LP 120-A-RE-11-21  WMM 1 CJ Ⅲ

SIDE B  DEADWAX

LION LP 120-B-RE-11-21  WMM 1 CJ Ⅲ  

"So Many Things Have Got Me Down" - The Search Party / "Montgomery Chapel (1969)

TRACKS:

A1  "Speak To Me" 2:50

A2  "Renee Child" 2:45

A3  "Melayna" 1:30

A4  "When He Calls" 4:22

A5  "So Many Things Have Got Me Down" 9:00

B1  "You and I" 3:08

B2  "All But This" 4:00

B3  "Poem By George Hall" 3:40

B4  "The Decidedly Short Epic Of Mr. Alvira" 3:15

B5  "The News Is You" 4:40

PERSONNEL:

Joanie Goff - vocals, guitar

Nicholas T. Freund - organ, rhythm guitar

Jim Carvalho - bass, guitar, vocals

Peter Apps - lead guitar, vocals

Tim King - drums

Good stuff.

Casey Chambers

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