So the context is.... By 1966 the mods had discovered psychedelics and mysticism, the seeds of a Spring of Love were planted, new frontiers were opening up, the world seemed full of possibilities, potential and of promise, you can hear the change in the songs of the period. Anton Barbeau, The Electric Prunes, Kris Gietkowski, Aunt Cynthia's Cabin, Icarus Peel and Mark McDowell tackle this year, which they all do splendidly. If pressed I'd say Mark McDowells version of the Small Faces' 'Up the Wooden Hills' surpasses the original (is that sacrilege? I don't care, it's true).
Then, as 1966 becomes 1967 the heady exuberance of the psychedelically burgeoning Summer of Love is palpable in the music of the year, everyone was out of their gords and loving it, experimentation was the name of the game as was pushing boundaries and excess. The Past Tense, Lovelydove, Campbell Stokes Sunshine Recorder, Jack Ellister, Rob Gould, Moonweevil, The Locker Room Cowboys, The Honey Pot, Magic Bus and The Golden Needles take on the summer, again with magnificent results. You're going to love The Locker Room Cowboys version of the Stones 'We love you', best interpretation on the album, it's fantastic, perfect! Loving The Golden Needles take on 'The Smell of Incense' too.
Sadly, and maybe inevitably, by 1968 the tide was turning, it's the Autumn of Love, no amount of drugs could hide the fact the party was clearly over and with it many of those hopes envisaged in spring. There were new musical paths appearing, time for another change. King Penguin, The Luck of Eden Hall, Cary Grace, Sidewalk Society, Jay Tausig, Proud Peasant, The Green Ray, Ex-Norwegian and Consterdine address this year of flux and realization, and of course the results are electric. I don't think of anybody could've tackled The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1983 (A Merman I should be..) better than Cary Grace, contemporary yet respectful, beautifully arranged and with Cary's distinctive voice, clean and powerful, you've a mesmerizing track. As is Consterdine's 'Fly' (J.K and Co.), which again (in my opinion) surpasses the original.
Man, what a lovely listening experience, the tracks aren't arranged linearly by release date, instead you flit about the years, not in a clumsy way, no, the whole album hangs together and flows beautifully. You're taken on a trip to the mid 60's whilst remaining firmly anchored in the present, the way the artists have combined now and then is a marvel. I can honestly say there's not a weak track on any of the six sides of this gloriously coloured vinyl release (mine are the darker coloured set, a lighter pastel set is also available), every track delivers. A lot of love and attention to detail has been put in to these interpretations, none are mere covers, every artist has brought something of their own to the tracks, and each has done the original justice, and to be honest, most giving the originals a run for their money (more sacrilege?). I'm certain the original artists would agree. Talking original artists, it's lovely to hear The Yardbirds and The Pretty Things still playing. The whole project has an air of reverence to it, present day psychedelic pop/rock/folk-sters paying deference at the spring that's nurtured and fed them, of which they now are a part of. Far out, man! I need to mention that the artwork by John Hurford is bloody lovely, tripped out seasonally appropriate nature scenes in vivid colours, he's the same guy who did The Honey Pots 'Ascending Scales' cover (another great FdM release). The whole package is a lovely thing, and shouts quality.
Todd said 'But a dream lives on forever', and although the sun went down of the psychedelic 60's, what was born during that triad of inspirational seasons endures and even thrives today, as this album of brilliant contemporary psychedelic interpretations attests to. Well played Fruits de Mer. Everyone should get a copy, go on! Oh, and more from The Locker Room Cowboys please, I'd love to hear what else they could do.
Todd said 'But a dream lives on forever', and although the sun went down of the psychedelic 60's, what was born during that triad of inspirational seasons endures and even thrives today, as this album of brilliant contemporary psychedelic interpretations attests to. Well played Fruits de Mer. Everyone should get a copy, go on! Oh, and more from The Locker Room Cowboys please, I'd love to hear what else they could do.
