TCCDM Pulls One Out..."The Farm Band" - The Farm Band (1972)

"The Farm Band" - The Farm Band (1972)

     The self-titled debut album by The Farm Band is a bit of a rarity.  Probably 1,000 copies, give or take, were pressed.  Originals can sometimes get pricey and are not easy to come by.  I was lucky to find an original back in early July at a garage sale on the east side of College Hill, closest to the VA  Hospital.  Only a few records in a box, and I recognized it right away.  Unfortunately, the seller knew what he had, as well.  

     There was a $75 price tag on it, and he showed me how shiny and clean the vinyl was.  While talking, we learned that we both had spent some time in West Virginia.  Shady Springs, for him; Peterstown, for me.  It was the kind of coincidence that makes people instant friends.  After we shared a few stories, he decided he could let the square go for $50.  Still, a pony-up for this short-pocket fella, but way more than fair.  I'm glad I was lucky enough to snag it. 

     The Farm Band consisted of nine members from a larger San Francisco hippie community who, all together, relocated to Tennessee to establish a self-sufficient commune, where they could grow their own produce and raise their families.  The hippie commune consisted of approximately 150 members at the time of this album.  Very little information can be found about the band online, but the commune itself has been fairly well-documented.

"The Farm Band" - The Farm Band (back)

     The album appears in the Acid Archives, which is at least a cause to pause.  Having had a chance to spend some time with it, I think I enjoyed it a little more than they did.  The album throws a sliver of Grateful Airplane or Jefferson Dead vibe into the air.  But my description is only to put you in the ballpark.  You'll need to find your own seat.  On this double album, the jammers jam, and the shorter songs steer clear of taking too deep of a country-rock dive with occasional flutage and electric violins keeping things airy.  The Farm Band gets it right on both counts.

     There is an overall joy about this cosmic rock album that shines without sounding the least bit weak or wuss or tepid.  The songs have a heady aura about them that's hard to put into words.  Hard to quantify.  But when I spin the square, the music takes me somewhere.  Every time.  The album is not the best thing since sliced bread, far from it.  However, there's no denying something magical is happening.  The album flows with an unfettered free-spirit fluidity like a bulldozer and a feather.  And it's a good feelin' to know.

"The Farm Band" - The Farm Band (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"I Believe It"
 "Being Here With You"
"Let It Ride"
"Keep Your Head Up High"

     This is an original pressing on the independent Mantra label. It includes the original inner sleeves with the lyrics. The cover is a thick gatefold with ring wear and a water stain on the front bottom cover.  The back cover looks VG.  The inside gatefold is undamaged, but for some light ring wear.  The vinyl looks almost unplayed and sounds fantastic.  I would grade the vinyl excellent.  I'd love to have one with a better cover, but I'm happy with what I paid.  This has since been reissued.
 
(original inner sleeves)

MANTRA label
(side1-4 & side 2-3)

Cat #  
S-3333
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
MIL-3333 - S-1  CB  MUSIC CITY
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
MIL-3334 S-2  CB  MUSIC CITY
SIDE 3  DEADWAX
MIL-3335  S-3  CB  MUSIC CITY
SIDE 4  DEADWAX
MIL-3336 S-4  CB  MUSIC CITY

"Being Here With You" - The Farm Band / "The Farm Band" (1972)

TRACKS:
A1  "Om" 2:56
A2  "Loving You" 10:16
A3  "Lord's Work" 3:06
B1  "Keep Your Head Up High" 3:17
B2  "Being Here With You" 11:51
C1  "Let It Ride" 12:05
C2  "Prayer" 2:51
D1  "I Believe It" 17:12

PERSONNEL:
Thomas - organ, flute, vocals, piano
Walter - electric and acoustic guitar, vocals
William - bass
Philip - vocals, electric fiddle, piano, acoustic guitar
Joseph - electric guitar, harmonica, twelve-string, vocals
Louise - vocals
Kaymarie - vocals
Cynthia - French horn, piano
David - drums

Good stuff.

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