TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Elephant Ball" - Crystal Syphon (2015)

"Elephant Ball" - Crystal Syphon (2015)    

Crystal Syphon shared the stage with all of the west coast puppies...holding their own and making fans wherever they played.  And when not working the stages, they were making music in the studios.  But for whatever reason, none of it was ever put to wax.  Finally, in 2012, Roaratorio gathered together some of Crystal Syphon's songs for what became their "Family Evil" album.  And then a wonderful follow-up album "Elephant Ball" in 2015.  Both are some tasty West Coast psych rock offerings and are recommended.

The album "Elephant Ball" is music from 1967-'69 and starts off with three studio recordings, the first being a fantastic Iggy-like garage-punk track.  A couple of excellent and groovy folk-rock tracks follow.  And then Crystal Syphon really gets their magic beads going.  Six tracks performed at the Fillmore West in November of '69.  And I'll take all of that you got.  The songs all have that wonderful jammy west coast flavor and I dug all of it.  It all sounds very much of the era...as it should...and yet still sounds oven fresh.  I don't know but it just does.  Cosmic floatery and acid trancery.  The musicianship is high-level with subtle quirks and pleasant diversions.  The vocals and harmonies are anything but cheap and pay off in spades.

"Elephant Ball" - Crystal Syphon (back)

Favorites include:
"Sing To Me"
“It’s Winter”
“There Is Light There”

I had to back-check where I picked this album up and it turns out it was on Amazon.  The album was at a good price, too...under $20...and I used money left on a gift card.  I've spun this album beaucoup.  "Elephant Ball" just hits that sweet spot.  I'm still waiting to get my hands on Crystal Syphon's first album which is supposed to be an even stronger square.

Roaratorio label

Cat #
roar37
SIDE A  DEADWAX
ROAR - 37-A  SAFF  1
SIDE B  DEADWAX
ROAR - 37-13  SAFF  1

"There Is Light There" - Crystal Syphon / "Elephant Ball" (2015) 

TRACKS:
A1  "Dawn Sermon" 1:18
A2  "For All Of My Life" 3:12
A3  "Tell Her For Me" 3:27
A4  "Elephant Ball" 4:26
A5  "Sing To Me" 8:36
B1  "It's Winter" 3:26
B2  "Snow Falls" 5:15
B3  "Don't Fall Brother" 3:20
B4  "There Is Light There" 6:31

PERSONNEL:
Tom Salles - vocals, guitar, percussion
Jim Sanders - vocals, guitar (A1 - A3)
Jeff Sanders - vocals, organ, percussion
Dave Sprinkel - vocals, percussion, organ (A1 - A3)
Bob Greenlee - bass
Andy Daniel - drums (A1 - A3)
Marvin Greenlee - drums (A4, A5, B1 - B4)
All songs written by Crystal Syphon

Good stuff.

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