TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Klaatu" - Klaatu (1976)

"Klaatu" - Klaatu (1976)

     The Klaatu/Beatles rumors started, in part, when a DJ wrote an article speculating that Klaatu might secretly be The Beatles under a pseudonym back in 1977.  Or maybe a DJ playing a Klaatu song and mentioning it sounded like the Beatles.  Whatever it was, the "Fab Four" connection began gathering steam.  Fans were hunting for clues and sharing their findings. (And remember, there was no internet.)
  • McCartney and Lennon-esque moments on the album.
  • The album had a Beatles/George Martin production vibe going on.
  • No photos of the band or songwriting credits appeared on the album.
  • No promotions, touring, or public appearances of the band.
  • No interviews.
  • Klaatu and The Beatles were on the same Capitol label. (in the US.)
  • Ringo's "Goodnight Vienna," released two years earlier, had the Klaatu character on the cover.
  • The record company seemed to be twiddling its thumbs with forthcoming information.
     Adding this all up, one would still have a hard time getting a judge to issue a search warrant.  The Beatles thing was such a stretch.  Looking back in hindsight, I'm surmising fans were hoping upon hope and wishing upon wish that John, Paul, George, and Ringo really did get back together, recorded an album to tease everyone, and each had a merry good laugh up in John's tree.  But it was all quickly debunked.  End of story.

     Listening to Klaatu's debut for the first time, it was all a bit of a shoulder shrug for me.  For a Beatles "reunion" album, sure, it's disappointing.  But as for a Klaatu album sans the "Fab Four" tag, it's not disappointing at all.  A much different bar, don'cha know?  All Music gives the Canadian trio's self-titled debut album three stars, and that's about right.  It's not great by any means, but it throws some comfortable shade. 

"Klaatu" - Klaatu (back)

"Klaatu" - Klaatu 
(inside sleeve front and back)

     The square is filled mostly with prog-pop tracks dusted with light psych, along with a couple of straight pop-rockers.  The opening and closing tracks are amazing.  Unfortunately, "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III," with vocals sounding much like Rowlf from the Muppets, lies in waiting on side two.  The song is well-executed, but it's just not my thing.  However, the production is top-notch front-to-back.  The vocals and various instruments sound amazing.  Trippish in spots.  Your headphones will love it.  The band's follow-up, "Hope" (1977), is one I intend to pick up as well.

Favorites include:
"Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"
"Doctor Marvello"
"Sub-Rosa Subway"
"Little Neutrino"

      The last two tracks are incorrectly listed as "Rubblesby" and "Little Meutrino" on the album's back cover.  My copy is a Los Angeles pressing.  And now for an interesting I Didn't Know That.  The album is titled "3:47 EST" on Canadian pressings.  This is the exact time the alien emissary Klaatu arrived in Washington, D.C., in the 1951 sci-fi classic, "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Capitol Records

Cat #
ST-11542
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
Z6-ST1-11542-Z6.  1  JAMF  
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
Z6 ST2-11542-Z-6.  JAMF  1  ✲

"Sub-Rosa Subway" - Klaatu / "Klaatu" (1976)

TRACKS:
A1  "Calling Occupants" 7:14
A2  "California Jam" 3:01
A3  "Anus of Uranus" 3:16
A4  "Sub-Rosa Subway" 4:36
B1  "True Life Hero" 3:25
B2  "Doctor Marvello" 3:37
B3  "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III" 3:22
B4  "Little Neutrino" 8:25

PERSONNEL:
John Woloschuk - vocals, piano, organ, mellotron, acoustic guitar, bass, synth, percussion
Dee Long - vocals, guitars, electric sitar, synth, ukulele, mellotron
Terry Draper - drums, percussion, tympani, vocals
ADDITIONAL:
Doug Riley - orchestral arrangements, xylophone (B3)
Vern Dorge - chimes (A4)
Bruce Cassidy - trumpet (B2)
Dave Kennedy - guitars (A2
Raymond Gassi - b-vocals (A2)

Good stuff.

Follow me on FACEBOOK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

Image
  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortu...
Read more

Interview -- Henry Lee Summer (Singer/Songwriter)

Image
"I just always have played music.  For better   or worse, I banked my whole life on it." ~ Henry Lee Summer ~     It's strange how music lets you travel through time as if there truly was no time.  I played the shit out of this album growing up.  Nothing deep or complicated.  Nothing outta bounds.  Nothing to get hung about.  It's deceptively simple.  But here's the thing... Henry Lee Summer  is serving aces all over this heartland square. This is the 35th anniversary of Henry Lee Summer's self-titled album and this one falls under that sweet spot between raucous and chill.  It's a large cup of iced coffee with a nice soulful blend.  Not usually my type of go-to and yet this album easily fills a void I didn't know I had.  Let this spin be your own private Idaho.  " Check it out, Leroy!"   Henry Lee Summer... Go get you some. Henry Lee Summer Interview -- August 2023 Henry Lee Summer Casey Cha...
Read more

Interview -- Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass)

Image
"...Your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea." ~ Looking Glass ~ Elliot Lurie was a singer/songwriter for the 70s band Looking Glass . The band recorded two albums and had a couple of hits along with a handful of deep-track FM cuts.  And as many bands are wont to do... Looking Glass called it a day and handed over the keys.  However, before cutting out, Looking Glass did leave us with the #1 hit song... "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)."   Now there have been plenty of #1 songs that have climbed to the top spot faster.  And plenty of #1 songs that have stayed at the top spot longer.  But the list begins to thin when it comes to #1 songs that have had some real staying power years and years after their run.  And as the 50th anniversary draws to a close, the song  "Brandy..." still remains an ageless and endearing wonder. A song of unrequited love without all the drippy, maudlin sadness that often stains so many other attempts.  Every boy dreams ...
Read more