The College Crowd Digs Me

"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 f...

"Mob Rules" - Black Sabbath (1981 )       "Heaven And Hell" with Ronnie James Dio helped rescue Black Sabbath from a damaged ship.  Their 10th album follow-up, "Mob Rules,"  was full steam ahead.  Sabbath storms right outta the gate from the needle drop and takes names.  No arguments.  There are moments while spinning this album when  Ronnie James' vocals simply make you shake your head with satisfaction.  Of course, Dio's vocals are awesome.  Everyone knows that.  But on this square, his "chill-out to rage-out" vocals are on full display and show just how special the song-cat really was.  This is some of Dio's best work ever, and it's all in one delicious place.        And the same can be said for the talents of Tony Iommi .  Iommi fires off one blistering lead after another.  One crunchy riff after another.  And dares anyone to ask him who shot John.  His solos are ...

"Younger Than Yesterday" - The Byrds (1967 )       "Younger Than Yesterday"  falls into the middle of what I like to think of as the band's psych-dust trilogy, which includes  "Fifth Dimension"  and  "Notorious Byrd Brothers."   These are the squares I spin most often.  It's a coin flip which one is my favorite, but "Younger…" captures the hippie-trippie westcoast elements the best.  The album expands your mind, blows your love-happenings, and carries you away long after the needle has returned to its resting place.       The album's vibes are warm to the touch and cool to the mind.  Roger McGuinn's vocals and cool  jangly psych-rock 12-string are delivered perfectly.   David Crosby is at his hedonistic best, throwing floaty, dreamlike thought-bubbles into the air like incense.  You can get high just taking the album outta the jacket sleeve.      But it's quiet Chris Hillman who step...

"In The Garden" - Gypsy (1971)      I really like Gypsy , and this was the album I was missing from my collection.  "In The Garden" was Gypsy's sophomore effort following their fantastic double LP debut, and it picks up pretty much right where they left off.  Not quite as strong, but there's very little drop-off.  Enjoyable spin front to back.  Only an ill-advised drum solo causes aspersions to be cast.  Not bad, but certainly unnecessary.  As for the rest of the spin, I'm cool.        Out of Minnesota,  Gypsy  was a progressive rock band with melodic flavors lightly dusted in psych affectation.  The band has always had a unique and identifiable sound.  The gorgeous B3 Hammond, along with the guitars, vocals, and harmonies, pleases the senses like a thousand marbles bouncing their way through the East River Tunnel .  Not non-stop, but there are moments throughout the square that defini...

"Tonto's Expanding Head Band" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band (1971 )      The music is spacey electronic splashes of very early Moog synth that tip-toe through the fields of prog-psych trippiness.  Tonto's Expanding Head Band , created by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff , offers a weird and experimental mind game on their debut.  The album has been credited as being a big influence on numerous musical acts, from Stevie Wonder to Devo.        I didn't love this square initially, but it's definitely been a grower.  Tonto's Expanding Head Band is a spin that requires active listening free from distractions.  Being in the right frame of mind matters.  Headphones are your friend, and though I don't listen to this a lot, the album still gives more than it takes.   "Tonto's Expanding Head Band" - Tonto's Expanding Head Band (back) Favorites include: "Aurora" "Riversong"      My copy is a 1...

"The Savage Seven" Stk  (1968)      " The Savage Seven" Soundtrack is from one of many cash-in biker/hippie counter-culture B-movies that flooded the summer drive-ins in the '60s.  Low-budget bottom feeders.  Edgy stuff for the period, but poor acting and weak scripts usually had the bongwater leaking out before the first hit.  Still, the passage of time makes these movies and soundtracks a lot of fun.  I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff.      As for the tracks on this square, there is  an atypical song from Cream,  "Anyone for Tennis,"  which was recorded during their  "Wheels of Fire"  sessions but then released on the soundtrack.    Two songs,  "Unconscious Power"  and  "Iron Butterfly Theme,"  were culled from Butterfly's debut album,  "Heavy"  (1968).   A couple of songs from  Barbara Kelly & The Morning Good  have an Austin Powers aura. ...

"Solar Music - Live" - Grobschnitt (1978 )      I've spun this album a lot since picking it up a few weeks ago.  "Solar Music - Live" is a bit of a space-rock adventure in the way Pink Floyd would sometimes trip off into.  A little kraut-psych in the juices, as well.  Ron at The Hog's Ear Report describes the square a little like Floyd following up their "Animals" album by never going into "The Wall" at all, and that's not inaccurate.  A what-if...if you will.  There is definitely a "Meddle/Animals" aura about this, yet very much unique in its own right.  The first track is neither here nor there.  Nothing special.  But after that, let the games begin.  By the time you get to the end of side two…you've been places.       Grobschnitt is legendary across the pond, with their live shows often lasting several hours.  "Solar Music - Live"  was recorded in 1978 at the Otto Pankok Forum in Mühlheim, German...

"Wanted" - Mason Proffit (1970 )      Mason Proffit and this album in particular have a bit of a cult following.  In the Midwest, anyway.  Thanks in part to KSHE radio playing "Two Hangmen" from their debut album.  Listeners requested this song on a fairly regular basis.  At least that's the way I got the story.    Mason Proffit,  out of Indiana,   was an early country rock band whose first album,  "Wanted,"  became a kind of underground hit.   The album has a late Byrds, early Poco vibe, but with enough of a Mason Proffit  dust-storm to call their own.  I enjoy country-rock from this period, and this album is no better or worse than the other good stuff, so if you are of the same mind, your ears will probably be right at home with this square.      I see this particular album at almost every record show that comes around.  Always priced under a ten-spot, and still I skipped over it a ...

"Phenomenon" - UFO (1974)     I've had this on CD forever, but finding a vinyl copy of  UFO's  " Phenomenon"  was challenging  for me.  I just could never be in the right place at the right time, I guess.    The album is a wonderful conundrum that both rocks and relaxes at the same time.  UFO scratches both itches perfectly with its chill-metal salutations.  It's my favorite UFO album, bar none.  This, and their live  "Strangers In The Night," (1979)   are definitely my go-tos.      "Phenomenon" has it all.  There is an unusual headiness about this square that takes me somewhere.  There is some space rock dustings in the mix.  The slower and mid-tempo tracks  sizzle and burn, with  Phil Mogg's  vocals effortlessly selling the bridge without sounding the least bit wuss .  No hyperbole here.  Mogg makes it work.   Additionally, 19-year-old  Mic...

"Avenue Road" - Kensington Market (1968 )      There's an overall psych element in play here, but Kensington Market doesn't hit you over the head with it.  Rather, the pop-psych weaves into your consciousness via baroque dustings and unexpected arrangements.  The variety is good, without being misleading.  There are moments where influences of Love and Left Banke  can be heard, and though no one track is head and shoulders above the rest, I do have my favorites.  "Avenue Road" feels ambitious for what it is, and my ears appreciated it.      This Canadian band was a big thing up North.  For a spell, anyway.  They performed with Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller Band, and other big acts of their day.  But in the psychedelic pantheon scheme of things, I suppose  "Avenue Road"  is considered an average square...and fair enough.  On the other hand, there are no tracks to be skipped.  No needle lifts....

"You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw" - Spooky Tooth (1973 )      Spooky Tooth , from Carlisle, England, released eight albums before putting it all to rest.  I rarely see any Spooky Tooth LPs here in Kansas, so when I saw "You Broke My Heart…" I quickly added it to a small stack I was making from a garage sale the other weekend.       This was the band's 5th album and first with Mick Jones, who had replaced Luther Grosvenor on guitar, who went on to join Mott The Hoople .  The vocals are good throughout, and Gary Wright's keyboards and Mick Jones' guitar mesh well together.  It's all pretty easy on the ears.  The songs are a mix of blues-rockers (less blues) with a few slower-tempo swirls and occasional very-slight prog dust thrown in.  Side one was the stronger for me, with the first three songs hanging together especially well.  As for the rest, it's various shades of okay.  All but one song was written by ...

"Live Album" - Grand Funk (1970 )      Who knows why we gravitate toward one specific band or album?  It's a hoo-doo thing.  But a little Grand Funk in my head, and I can get shit done.  Whether it's some active listening or just fuel to get my blood moving around the house.  It's a feel-good thing.  Grand Funk  starts my lawnmower.  They kick my car into the next gear.  The band should go halfsies on the speeding tickets with me.      Grand Funk has never been about flash or smoke and mirrors.  Always just a blue-collar powder keg ready to go off.  Their first live offering is a double square and easily one of my top ten live spins.  The vinyl catches the band rocking hard, heavy, and hungry. Often funky; sometimes psychy.  Back when live albums were important.  Years later, and it's still killer.      I have fond memories of hearing my dad drop the needle on this ...