TCCDM Pulls One Out..."The Wizard Of Oz and other Trans Love Trips" - West Coast Workshop (1967)

"The Wizard Of Oz and Other Trans Love Trips" - West Coast Workshop (1967)

This is a wonderful psych album to add to the collection.  I suppose this offering falls under the exploitation hashtag, but don't be too quick to dismiss the West Coast Workshop goodness found within.  Nothing on "...Trans Love Trips" sounds the least bit cheap or throwaway.  This is an ambitious piece of avantgarde psych-jazz fusion.  Slices of sitars and flutes.  Guitars, brass, and percussion fall in beside a light dose of Eastern vibes.  Nothing is as it first appears.  The West Coast Workshop one-and-done offering might be cash-in but this spin gives back to the listener way more than it steals.  

There are brief cops of a familiar melody, here and there, but just a dip.  And then only to remind us where we're at.  Nothing overstays its welcome.  Little is known about West Coast Workshop, but a member or three might have slipped in from the Wrecking Crew.  For 1967, the group took a cornball idea and surprisingly delivered a front-to-back album listening experience.  A nice head-buzz that gets better with every spin.

"The Wizard Of Oz and Other Trans Love Trips" (back)

Favorites include:
"Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead"-"Max The Hobbit" 
"The Dowser And The Thaumaturgist" 
"Ode To Jackie, Dorothy And Alyce"

I found my copy at a yard sale on 45th St. near the Catholic Care Center on the east side of Wichita.  Among items for sale, the owner had a collection of Wizard Of Oz memorabilia, collectibles, and knick-knacks on a large table in the garage.  "...Trans Love Trips" was propped up by a heavy "No Place Like Home" snow-shaking water ball and a Danny Peary film book I already owned.  

The album had a $20 obo price tag and I offered the seller $15.  I knew nothing about the album, but the cover and title were just too cool to pass up.  The seller told me the record was a fairly rare square and was a real head trip with headphones!  He was right on both counts.  My copy is a clean VG+ and looks well taken care of.  You can listen to the entire album on YouTube.

Capitol sleeve (front & back)

Capitol Records label

Cat #
ST-2776
SIDE A  DEADWAX
ST-1-2776-H-3 :  ✲  2
SIDE B  DEADWAX
ST-2-2776-H-3 :  1  ✲

"The Dowser And The Thaumaturgist" - West Coast Workshop / "TWoOaoTLT" (1967)

TRACKS:
A1  "We're Off To See The Wizard" 3 03
A2  "T.T.B.C. Theme II" 5:33
A3  "Yellow Brick Trip" 5:55
B1  a. "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" / b. "Max The Hobbit" 5:24
B2  "Ode To Jackie, Dorothy And Alyce" 2:30
B3  "The Dowser And The Thaumaturgist" 5:22
B4  a. "The Merry Old Land Of Oz" / b. "Ozwind" 3:38
      
PERSONNEL:
James E. Bond, Jr. - Conductor
Others

Good stuff.

Casey Chambers
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