May 22, 2013: Face the Music/Space is the Place by Sun Ra Arkestra.
Happy Birthday, Sun Ra! The jazz legend would have celebrated his 99th year on planet earth today, had he not taken off in his spaceship early. If you have no clue what I’m talking about, read a piece I wrote about him for Propeller Magazine here. Here he is performing live on Night Music in 1989, or is it 2029?
April 23, 2013: Austin Psych Fest Compilation by Sonic Boom.
Normally I hate festivals, but if only I had the cash I’d make an exception for Psych Fest in Austin. Psychedelic rock legend Peter Kember— AKA Sonic Boom — of Spectrum and The Spacemen 3, has made a mixtape highlighting some of his favorites from this year’s lineup. Enjoy.
January 29, 2012: Square Room by Them.
Them was a Northern Irish garage rock band formed in1964. They are most prominently known for their track “Gloria” and launching singer Van Morrison’s musical career. The group was marketed in the United States as part of the British Invasion, and scored two UK hits in 1965 with “Baby, Please Don’t Go” and “Here Comes the Night.” Morrison quit the band in 1966 and went on to become a successful solo artist. He was replaced by singer Kenny McDowell after the band moved to the US, and they recorded their third album, Now and Them, which pretty much abandoned their garage rock roots in favor of a more psychedelic sound. “Square Room” is a 10-minute psych track from that record.
January 28, 2013: Things We Never Did by Sad Lovers and Giants.
Sad Lovers and Giants are a rock band from Watford, England who formed in 1980.Their sound blends post-punk, atmospheric keyboards and psychedelia. The original lineup produced two studio albums, Epic Garden Music in 1982 and Feeding the Flame the following year before splitting in 1983.During this initial period they recorded a John Peel Session for the BBC, and a live concert for the Dutch Radio Hilversum station, which was subsequently released as the album Total Sound in 1986. “Things We Never Did” was recorded during that 1983 concert.
January 13, 2012: Song of the Day, Year One Mix.
It’s the one year anniversary of my Song of the Day blog! To celebrate, I’ve created a mix of some of the best tracks I shared in 2012. Here’s to another year of the best songs you’ve (maybe) never heard. Enjoy!
http://8tracks.com/devocook/song-of-the-day-blog-year-one
December 3, 2012: Golden Earring by Gandalf.
I’m having a hard time believing I’ve never posted this one before, but my archives say it’s true. Well, lucky you! This is one of my faves.
Gandalf was a psychedelic rock band formed in New York in 1965. They were originally named the Rahgoos, but when they signed to Capitol in 1967 the label made them change their name to Gandalf. The released their only record in 1969, which included mostly covers as well as two original compositions. However, when Capitol released it the wrong record was inside the sleeve. The copies were recalled and damaged the band’s career. Capitol didn’t promote the record which made the sales worse. Over the years the album’s reputation grew and it was re-released by Sundazed records in 2002. “Golden Earrings is a cover of a Young/Evans/Livingston composition for a 1947 film of the same name.
October 8, 2012: Laura Palmer by Vum.
New single from my fave L.A. band, Vum. The 7” is out tomorrow! http://vummusic.bandcamp.com.
August 26, 2012: Call Me Animal by MC5.
MC5 was a proto-punk/rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. MC5’s far left political ties and anti-establishment lyrics positioned them as emerging innovators of the punk movement in the United States, and their music incorporated elements of garage rock, metal, blues, and psychedelic rock. Here’s “Call Me Animal” from 1970’s Back In The USA.
August 6, 2012: Colorado Mourning by C.A. Quintet.
The C.A. Quintet was a Psychedelic rock band from Minnesota in the late 60s. They failed to gain national notoriety, and their only LP, 1969’s Trip Thru Hell, sold less than 1000 copies. However, the record slowly gained popularity over the next twenty years among collectors and musicians, and due to increasing demand, it was re-released in the early 1980s, by Rape an Ape Records, then released on CD in 1994 on the Sundazed Label.
August 5, 2012: Necronomania by Vampire’s Sound Inc.
The Vampire’s Sound Incorporation was made up of two german composers, Manfred Hubler and Siegfried Schwab. The two composed soundtracks for erotic, cult, and b-films such as the 1971 filmVampyros Lesbos, which “Necronomania” is a cut from. They also released their own albums, including 1969’s Psychedelic Dance Party. Remember this band come October, as almost all of their songs would be perfect for a Halloween party mix!
