THE PICTURE - REACH OUT (I'LL BE THERE) / EVOLUTION, 1969

Here's a very enjoyable double sider released on the obscure NASCO label out of Nashville, Tennessee.  NASCO was active in the late 50's releasing several doo-wop records and appeared to fizzle out at the onset of the coming decade.  It is simultaneously odd and fitting that they went with The Picture as an early attempt to reboot the label in late 1968, who as the internet reveals were natives of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On the plug side you get a fun version of the Holland-Dozier standard complete with ample fuzz action.  This is a bonus as most of the interest in this record is due to the flipside.  'Evolution' has been included in numerous comps and is sought after for its mystical sounds and trippy phasing effects.  Sometimes you catch everyone sleeping and get a gem for a bargain..

GANDALF, 1969

Gandalf, a record mostly comprised of cover songs that is somehow thirty minutes of seamless, hazy, psychedelic wonderland and one of my absolute favorite long players.  It's a perfect 'night time' record, great for those relaxing nights alone in your head.  For an excellent interview with lead guitarist/vocalist Peter Sando about the origins of Gandalf go here.

JOHN RANDOLPH MARR "RAGGEDY ANN"

I randomly stumbled upon this LP today and was left with one of those pleasantly surprised looks that any vinyl collector knows and loves.  I had known about this record after hearing one of it's tracks on Fading Yellow Vol. 7.  From what I can gather this is John Randolph Marr's lone LP and was released sometime in 1970.  For the intents and purposes of this blog I will assume most of the material was recorded in 1969.  Apparently Harry Nilsson was originally set up to produce this album but passed the baton to Gary Osborne to finish the job after being impressed with some of his results.  Other than that the only thing about this record I can gather is that there was a promo single released ('Hallelujah b/w 'I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now') at an undisclosed date.

The album itself is a bit of a mixed bag with an array of styles most often accompanied by orchestral arrangements with occasional electric guitar and gospel backing vocals.  Although nicely produced it's not typically something that fits my bill.  At times Marr's voice recalls John Sebastian in certain Lovin' Spoonful tunes, and I also hear a bit of Tim Hardin here and there.  By far the standout track (the one from the Fading Yellow Comp..) is the hauntingly sublime 'Raggedy Ann' which is enough of a force to include this LP on my blog.  It really is one of those songs that wraps itself around your senses and removes you from your surroundings if you have the ear for this type of thing.  Lush strings, distinct acoustic fingerpicking and prominent harpsichord provide a perfect backdrop to Marr's haunting and mysterious lyrics. 

'Raggedy Ann has a pocket of goodies for you and for her and for me /

she is the mother of all of the children who blindly found hell just to see'

CINAMMON EMPIRE - IT'S GOOD, IT'S GOOD / GOLDEN KITE, 1969

Here's one I picked up recently based on the name alone.  How could I pass up something by the name of Cinammon Empire?  Information regarding this record appears to be pretty limited.  All I can come up with is that they were from Indianapolis and got some local radio play in early 1969.  What I can tell you from listening is that they were obviously going for the harmony pop sound The Association was making in the late 60's, and they do a pretty good job of replicating that sound.  In fact the lead vocalist sounds uncannily like Jim Yester.

I'm imagining hearing the warming sound of 'It's Good, It's Good' on the radio as the frozen car starts up in the midst of a miserable Midwestern winter...