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Plain and Fancy

Music gives soul to universe, wings to mind, flight to imagination, charm to sadness, and life to everything.

Plato

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Garrett Lund - Almost Grown (1975 us, excellent west coast psychedelia)



Since over 25 years the Garrett Lund album is one of the most legendary West Coast pieces for collectors, truly a rare one! Originally recorded in 1975 at AM studios this is one of the finest productions for this genre. It amazingly reflects the blend of the early San Francisco groups such as, Tripsicord Music Box, Quick Silver Messenger Service,  Kak ..etc, emotional singing and songwriting combined with great arrangements it reaches a unique feeling, cosmic and free!

The cover artwork by Garrett himself rounds off this artistic statement perfectly. In the early ‘70’s he was singer in the L.A. group “The Caretakers”. This reissue is from the original mastertapes and contains 5 unreleased bonus tracks (acoustic free-jam outtakes from a never made second album).

Garrett Lund was and still is a mysterious person. From what is known, he was born in the early ‘50’s. His father deserted Garrett and his mother -before he was born- and in his teens his beloved mother died. Garrett’s audition and acceptance as a member of The Caretakers, was a step up from his first local band to evolved into “Trane”, and became an instant success, playing the southwest of the US.

Trane appeared at numerous rock festivals and large clubs, opening for Led Zeppelin, Cream, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jefferson Airplane and The Who. Almost immediately Trane was headlining their own –sold out- shows. What happened then is unclear, except that Garrett began a solo career and three years after Trane completed “Almost Grown” which was promptly rejected by 22 record labels.

Convinced that the album could and should be an artistic and commercial success, Garrett’s manager/producer, along with friends and family, set out to independently release “almost Grown” with the help of record promoter, John Holcomb, succeeded in achieving rotation on nine radio stations and selling 2.000 units in less than two weeks. Armed with the independently released success, the record companies were once again given the chance to sign Garrett and once again they passed. Since then, there's virtually no information on “Almost Grown” or Garrett Lund until 2001.
World In Sound


Tracks
1. The Only Turnaround - 4:49
2. Serene - 3:37
3. Silver Sails - 7:16
4. One More Reason (Garrett Lund, Jimmy Jerviss) - 4:20
5. Think Of The Children - 4:31
6. Country Livin' (Bob Adkins, Garrett Lund) - 2:53
7. Stop The World - 4:43
8. (It's All Over Now) Baby Blue (Bob Dylan) - 5:47
9. Serene - 3:47
10.Never Gonna Take It Slow - 1:24
11.Over And Under - 4:05
12.Reflections On Earth - 2:08
13.Bonny - 2:36
All songs by Garrett Lund except where indicated
Bonus Tracks 9-13

Musicians
*Garrett Lund - Vocals
*Jimmy Jerviss - Guitar
*David Lauser - Drums Percussion
*Donnie Ferro - Bass
*Glen Ross Cambell - Guitar
*Pete Thompson - Saxophone
*Marion McCrary - Trumpet
*Hank Quinn - Congas
*Bill Overturf - Acoustic Guitar

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Majic Ship - Majic Ship (1970 us, fine hard rock with tinges of psychedelia, Gear Fab issue)



During the late 1960's a band from Brooklyn made it's record debut with a regional chart single titled 'Night Time Music'. Six months later followed with another hit, 'Hummin', the Hayes & Porter penned sexy rock tune with catchy harmonies and licks. But after these 2 radio friendly songs, and counties pro bono dj shows, the band wanted their own uncommercial sound recorded on disk.

This album is 9 original recordings and one Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young medley from their live set, originally recorded and released in 1970 in an extremely limited supply.The 1970 Bel-Ami Majic Ship album hasn't been reissued in its original format since the Afterglow bootleg in 1993. The single one thing positive about bootlegs is that they unintentionally bring long lost relics and gems to the attention of the collectors of this genre of music.

However, the stories behind the bands are as equally important. Our 1997 "Majic Ship: The Complete Recordings" chronicled the story of the typical 1960's garage bands modest beginnings to a surprisingly successful career in the New York Metropolitan area.The 1970 LP represents their musical pinnacle as a garage band turned pop band and then into something mixing hard rock with tinges of psychedelia. It truly was their masterpiece!

When the band lost all their equipment on that cold wintry day in 1971, Majic Ship, as a band, effectively broke up. But as you will see in the not so distant future, Majic Ship would spawn other musical efforts such as Fox and North wind. More would be heard from all of them!!
by Roger Maglio


Tracks
1. Sioux City Blues (Polimeni, Garrigan) - 3:01
2. Wednesday Morning Dew (Nikosey, Garrigan) - 3:07
3. Life's Lonely Road (Nikosey, Garrigan) - 2:51
4. We Gotta Live On (Riozzi) - 3:18
5. Where Are We Going (Nikosey) - 2:35
6. Free (Polimeni, Garrigan) - 4:20
7. Down By The River-What It's Worth (Young, Stills) -10:54
8. Night Mare (Polimeni, Nikosey) - 2:40
9. Too Much (Polimeni, Garrigan, Buckman) - 3:38
10.Cosmo's Theme (Riozzi) - 3:45

Majic Ship
*Gus (Cosmo) Riozzi - Bass, Organ, Vocals
*Rob Buckman - Drums
*Philip Polimeni - Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
*Mike Garrigan - Vocals
*Tommy Nikosey - Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar

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