Bold - Lullaby Opus Four (1969)

Hailing from the Springfield area of Massachussetts the band formed out of an outfit called The Esquires and also operated under the moniker Steve Walker and The Bold.

The album was a Bill Szymczyk production recorded at "Hit Factory". It's a decent experimental soft rock album with a nice blend of covers (All I Really Want To Do, For What Its Worth and It's All Over Now Baby Blue) given the group's own unique re-interpretation and originals. Among the better originals are Free Fugue, Child Of Love, Words Don't Make It and Friendly Smile, which has some nice organ work. Worth a listen.
Gotta Get Some with its raw vocals and driving beat is a fine punker, also featured on Pebbles, Vol. 9 (LP), Pebbles Vol. 10 (CD), Pebbles, Vol. 1 (ESD) (CD) and Mindrocker, Vol. 11 (LP). It became a fave with The Fuzztones and duly appeared on their Lysergic Emanations LP - Latterly compiled again on Songs We Taught The Fuzztones (Dble LP & Dble CD). Their superb rendition of Train Kept A Rollin' can be enjoyed on Pebbles, Vol. 10 (LP) and Pebbles Vol. 10 (CD), preferably at full volume. It's a very loose version delivered at breakneck speed. Other groups to cover the song included The Cynics, Precious Few, The Rogues, and The Scotty McKay Quintet.

The Bold were an important act locally and actually quite popular. Many of their fans thought the production on the ABC album was weak, and so refused to buy it at the time. They were apparently a way better band live than any of their recordings, although very 'East Coast' in their sound. Bob La Palm and Timothy Griffin went on to found a band called Clean Living whose records are worth checking out if you can find copies. Tim Griffin also played drums in James Taylor's road band very briefly.

Every now and then a record is released that is so amazing that you'll never forget it. 'Gotta Get Some' released way back in '66 on Cameo-Parkway by The Bold is definitely one of these rare beasts. I recall hearing it on Mindrocker #11 when I was about 14 and being absolutely blown away by it… no, let's say, actually obsessed by it, living out the "sittin' in class / waitin' for the time to pass" lyric! It was the perfect disc to sum up visceral teenage heavy-balled angst!!! A classic! The Bold soldiered on after cutting that disc and released an album in 1969 for ABC. The garage-edge had gone, as had the gnarly attitude. Like many others of the time they had learnt their instruments, stopped dressing up and got a bit hippyfied and serious. Similar to Ted Munda's post-Enfields act Friends Of The Family the Bold shared a jazzy vibe that is present across much of the album. But whereas Neil Young, David Crosby and the ilk of "happening dudes on the scene" could write strong material Steve Walker couldn't compete, and the jazzy musical passages are commonplace in songs that lack direction. But let's not pass this album off as tripe, as it ain't. Perhaps best is the pastoral 'Changing Seasons', which is anthemic in that drugged-out "changing my life" kinda way - it has great orchestration, acoustic guitars, harmony vocals and backwards ala 'Mind Gardens' bits too. Closer 'Words Don't Make It' offers a dope-infused response to 'Gotta Get Some', but rather than being pissed-off the guys are now quite happy to give up arguing and say nothing…. musically the cut is high-octane pop with some interesting flourishes. Elsewhere they rock, get psychedelic and even a bit countryish - all good too. But there're too many cover versions that, although imaginatively approached, are clearly filler. Nevertheless Lullaby Opus Four is a decent album. It comes with The Bold story by our man in San Diego Mike 'Don't Call Me Ugly' Stax, some neat pictures and good sound. As I know us SDers aren't just a bunch of farfisa-wielding fuzzed-out caveteens I'd advise you all to get this - besides you get the early Bold stuff tacked onto the end in order for the CD to finish with a bang!

(info by CGR)

01 - Lullaby Opus Four - 7.15
02 - All Really Want To Do - 3.00
03 - Friendly Smile - 3.01
04 - Changing Season - 3.49
05 - Factory - 7.34
06 - Crystals Chambers - 7.46
07 - Free Fogue - 4.02
08 - For What It's Worth - 5.10
09 - It's All Over Now Baby Blue - 4.22
10 - Words Don't Make It - 2.36
11 - Gotta Get Some (Bonus) - 3.19
12 - Robin Hood (Bonus) - 2.34
13 - Found What I'm Looking For (Bonus) - 2.44
14 - Shake A Tail Feather (Bonus) - 2.36
15 - Down The Track (Bonus) - 2.18


















Size: 116 Mb
Bitrate: 256 mp3
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Billy Cox´s - Nitro Function (1972)

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Produced by International Artists supremo Lelan Rogers in 1972, and sporting an early Roger Dean cover, this is a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, from his old army pal & Band Of Gypsies bassist. Featuring lashing's of great Hendrixy guitar from Char Vinnedge, with bass & drums backing ala The Experience.This is mindblowing stuff!

Reissue of one and only album by Nitro Function, a post Hendrix project by Billy Cox (the gypsy) who used to play in Hendrix's Band Of Gypsy's. Musically obviousely very very Hendrix influenced especially the guitar parts.
by Greg Prato Noel Redding was the better known of the 2 bassists that appeared alongside Jimi Hendrix during his brief recording career of 1967-1970 (due to the fact that he played on Hendrix's most acclaimed recordings), but Billy Cox had known and played alongside Hendrix longer. Cox originally met Hendrix back in 1961, when both were serving in the U.S. Army, and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Cox was taken by guitar playing he heard coming from inside a 'Service Club' on the military base one day, which turned out to be Hendrix, and soonafter led to the pair holding jam sessions. Both left the military at around the same time, which led to the duo forming the R&B outfit the King Kasuals, and subsequent steady gigs on the 'Chitlin' Circuit' (the black club scene in the south). Hendrix had decided by the mid '60s to try his luck elsewhere, and relocated to New York City, where he was discovered by ex-Animals bassist Chas Chandler. When plans were made for Hendrix to put a band together in England, he phoned Cox with an invite to go along with him, which Cox politely declined - opting instead to back R&B acts passing through the area. Hendrix went on to become one of the late '60s most successful rock artists, but by 1969, had grown weary of his musical direction (and the public's desire to constantly focus on his showmanship rather than his playing). This resulted in Hendrix breaking up his band, the Experience, and setting out to form an multi-member ensemble. Hendrix's first choice for the newly vacated bass position went to his old friend Cox, and this time around, Cox accepted the invitation. The new group (Gypsys, Suns, and Rainbows), congregated in upstate New York, and consisted of rhythm guitarist Larry Lee, ex-Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, plus percussionists Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez, in addition to Hendrix and Cox. Despite a memorable, set-closing performance at the Woodstock Festival in August of 1969, the new group failed to remain together long enough to record an album.

Hendrix decided that his next outfit would be more streamlined (both musically and set-up wise), as he returned to the trio format - retaining Cox as his bassist, and welcoming onboard drummer Buddy Miles. Although the new group (the funk-based Band of Gypsys) wouldn't remain together long either, they did manage to record a self-titled live album on New Year's Eve 1969 at New York's Fillmore East. With Miles' exit from the group, Hendrix phoned up old pal Mitchell once more, as the trio of Hendrix, Cox, and Mitchell began recording tracks for Hendrix's oft-delayed fourth studio album overall, at the guitarist's recording studio (which was still being constructed at the time), Electric Lady. The summer saw the trio play a steady stream of festival and arena dates in both the U.S. and in Europe, with plans to finish off the aforementioned album (with a working title of First Rays of the New Rising Sun) by the end of 1970.

But on September 18, 1970, Hendrix died tragically in England, a couple of months shy of his 28th birthday. In the wake of Hendrix's death, Cox played with others, including the Charlie Daniels Band, as well as session work and live dates. Cox continues to play to this day, including a Hendrix-tribute outfit called the Gypsy Sun Experience, which also includes former bandmate Mitchell on drums and Gary Serkin on guitar (Cox was also the recipient of his own model bass, when the Cort guitar company issued a Billy Cox "Freedom" model bass in the late '90s). In addition to the Band of Gypsys release, Cox's bass playing can be heard on such posthumously release Hendrix albums as South Saturn Delta, Live at Woodstock, Live at the Fillmore East, and a reconstructed version of First Rays of the New Rising Sun, in addition to such homevideos as Live at the Isle of Wight 1970, Live at Woodstock, The Dick Cavett Show, Rainbow Bridge, and Jimi Hendrix, among others.

(Info by CGR)

01. Message
02. 42-70 (Peace)
03. Touch Me
04. You Really Got Me
05. Portrait
06. Powerhouse
07. You Got a Hold On Me
08. Play Your Own Blues
09. Not My Time
10. Let Me Do What I Want To Do

















Size: 66.8 Mb
Bitrate: 256 mp3
Artwork Included
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Pete Brown & The Piblokto - Thousands On A Raft (1970)

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After the relatively lightweight 'Things May Come And Things May Go But The Art School Dance Goes On Forever' Pete Brown and Piblokto! produced this much heavier rocker in 1971. 'Aeroplane Head Woman', with its heavy guitar riff, could have come from Deep Purple and the title song, 'Thousands On A Raft', with mock-serious lyrics and a very catchy chorus wouldn't have been out of place on Jack Bruce's Songs For A Tailor. The musicianship is excellent, particularly from the fine young guitarist Jim Mullen and respected percussionist Rob Tait. Brown's songwriting is, as always, lyrically amusing, clever, and just plain weird. Melodically it is as strong as Brown's previous two efforts, but just let down a bit by the overlong jamming on 'Highland Song'. Overall it is an excellent example of eccentric British rock music from the early 70's and I will love it forever!

(Info by a music fan)

1. Aeroplae Head Woman
2. Station Song Platform Two
3. Highland Song
4. If They Could Only See Me Now - Parts One And Two
5. Got A Letter From A Computer
6. Thousands On A Raft
7. Cant Get Off The Planet (Bonus)
8. Broken Magic (Bonus)



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Size: 121 Mb
Bitrate: 256 mp3
Artwork Included
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The Deep - Psychedelic Moods (1966)

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The Deep's Psychedelic Moods (1966) is probably one of the most fascinating and sought after psychedelic albums of all time, and this Radioactive reissue of the incredibly-rare stereo version is the one that all collectors want to own.
This was a Philadelphia-based studio-only project. The album, which is an extremely rare and quite costly collectors' item, has until recently been shrouded in total mystery. It was produced by Mark Barkan and Rusty Evans. Both were also involved in Freak Scene whose album Psychedelic Psoul (CBS 9456) 1968 is virtually a second Deep LP. We also know thal David Bromberg was involved in the project. The other personnel listed above have been deduced from songwriting credits and may also have been involved.

Their album is very strange, full of weird sound effects, haunting vocals and acid-soaked lyrics. It is based on a psychedelic folk format. Some, such as Color Dreams and Your Choice To Choose, sound very Seeds-like. Others, like Shadows On The Wall and Wake Up and Find Me are haunting acid ballads.
"Wake up and find meWith dreams of liquid nightsAnd never ending lights"
(from Wake Up and Find Me).

Arguably the best two tracks are Turned On and Psychedelic Moon - which are both very odd. The album is recommended listening. Fans of the band will also be interested in a series of outtakes released on CD by Collectables, Part 2 and Part 3 contains alternate takes and unreleased tracks which were recorded in 1966), whilst Part 4 (which also features tracks by Hydro-Pyro) and Part 5 are now also available on CD through Collectables.

Barkan went on to a group called Hydro Pyro. In 1970 Rusty released a solo album as Marcus.

(Info by CGR)

1. Color Dreams

2. Pink Ether

3. When Rain Is Black

4. It's All A Part Of Me

5. Turned On

6. Psychedelic Moon

7. Shadows On The Wall

8. Crystal Nite

9. Trip #76

10. Wake Up And Find Me

11. Your Choice To Choose

12. On Off - Off On

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Size: 55.2 Mb

Bitrate: 256 mp3

Artwork Included

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We're Late For Class - What Might This Signify?

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We gotta get a new art department. These 20 minutes of improv jams actually came from our first web release - which we eventually shortened... just so that we could put them up again now. "A Buoy, 40 Yards Out" is a druggy, meandering, endless sort of an offshore wave that would go perfectly with a J and a Miller High Life. While "Tortured Greyhounds" is a Faustian ruckus kick started by audio tapes of, what appeared to be, barking thespian lesbians whose skills seemed appropriate to incorporate. We'll post those original tapes, maybe... later. Recorded August 14, 2006.

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(Info by We're Late For Class)

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Asked me to promote this a little..., and is sounds really great!

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For more info look @ werelateforclass.blogspot.com