SAGITTARIUS - HOTEL INDISCREET / VIRGO, AUGUST 1967

I picked this one up mainly for the Gary Usher instrumental flip 'Virgo', but the single version of 'Hotel Indiscreet' is a creature all of it's own.  This was the follow up single to the masterful all time fave 'My World Fell Down', and in similar fashion the 45 single version contains a bizarre midway passage of spoken word and noise rendering it useless in the commercial world.  The album version of 'Hotel Indiscreet' would omit this segment (performed in part with then recent Columbia signees The Firesign Theater) which leaves you with a perfect pop nugget featuring the glimmering voice of Curt Boettcher.  I prefer the album version, but the single is entertaining nonetheless.  You can hear both sides of this 45 in their original mono glory on my OPTICAL SOUND podcast.

ETERNITY'S CHILDREN - MRS. BLUEBIRD / LITTLE BOY, MAY 1968

Put it in the books, 'Mrs. Bluebird' by Eternity's Children is an absolutely flawless piece of psychedelic sunshine pop.  This record was co-produced by Curt Boettcher which is enough to make it a curiosity, but just listening to the opening few seconds is all that's needed for approval.  Indeed, something special is about to happen.  After the mysterious intro come the organ bursts, 'ba ba ba' harmonies and pounding bass, and just when you thought things couldn't get any better your ears get blasted with a blistering hot guitar break.  When those harmonies kick back in is when I start weeping.

'Mrs. Bluebird' is credited to 'Karl Marion' though a simple search tells me the song was actually written by Bruce Blackman who was an original member of Eternity's Children.  This group like many others suffered from poor management which at least partially explains why they didn't have a smash hit here.

The more laid back flip 'Little Boy' is another great tune also featuring prominent organ work and some nice bits of flute for added touch.  Both of these cuts were included on the self-titled album, Eternity's Children released on Tower Records in 1968.

THE GOLDEBRIARS - STRAIGHT AHEAD, 1964