MIGHTY BABY - Mighty Baby [ 1969 U.K. Psych-Prog + bonus ]
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Artist: MIGHTY BABY
Album: Mighty Baby
Released: U.K. 1969
Big Beat / Head Music 1994 ( CDWIKD 120 )
Genre: Psychedelic-Progressive
Review:
*** This hour-long CD is one of the best bodies of British psychedelia ever released. It contains the complete Mighty Baby album from Head Records, expanded to 13 tracks with the addition of five tracks cut by the Action during its 1967 transition period. The opening number, "Egyptian Tomb," sets the tone for the entire album -- in terms of content, structure, and beat, it sounds like the early Allman Brothers, or maybe the Grateful Dead in one of their harder-rocking moments, jamming with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on an impromptu version of CSN's "Pre-Road Downs." The beauty of the original Mighty Baby album tracks is that they're psychedelia with a solid beat, none of that noodle-rock that drugged-up Brits usually engaged in. "A Friend You Know But Never See" mighthave passed muster on the Byrds' Notorious Byrd Brothers album. Other songs noodle around too much, but overall this is some of the most energetic psychedelia to come out of England, and anyone who enjoys psychedelic guitar will love Martin Stone's and Alan King's work on this album. The bonus tracks, all "lost" demos, are even better: highly rhythmic, driving rock (check out "Understanding Love") with lots of spacy guitar and tougher-than-normal flower-power introspective lyrics, with some gorgeous harmonies dressing it all up -- a near perfect meld of garage rock and psychedelic sensibilities. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
Track List:
01 Egyptian Tomb (5:28)
02 Friend You Know But Never See (4:27)
03 I've Been Down So Long (5:09)
04 Same Way from the Sun (5:40)
05 House Without Windows (6:13)
06 Trials of a City (6:01)
07 I'm from the Country (4:52)
08 At a Point Between Fate and Destiny (4:47)
09 Only Dreaming (3:19)
10 Dustbin Full of Rubbish (2:50)
11 Understanding Love (3:53)
12 Favourite Days (3:57)
13 Saying for Today (3:28)
"At long last here is a proper and official re-issue, in its beautiful sleeve, of the debut album by UK psych legends Mighty Baby. Released in 1969 on the Head label in a sleeve that featured a stunning piece of psychedelic artwork by acclaimed underground pop artist Martin Sharp, Mighty Baby's first album was a magical slice of late '60's West Coast influenced UK psychedelic rock from a band that had evolved from mod gods The Action. After changing their names, growing their hair and (allegedly) taking lots of drugs, this masterpiece emerged. Mixing progressive and psychedelic influences with Eastern instrumentation this great album finally gets the quality release it deserves in the original gatefold sleeve." (Forcedexposure)
Excellent band from the early UK scene. The influences are more psych than prog. Dominated by the music of Martin Stone's excellent guitar work, the band's style can't be nailed to anything concrete. Their first album is a nice mixture that will remind you variously of the Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, and no one at all. Hardly derivative, this band can boogie with the best. Nearly all the musicians were successful session men. Songs like "Same Way from the Sun," "House With No Windows" and "Trails of a City" are dynamic vehicles for Stone's driving guitar. Other songs, such as "I'm From the Country" highlight a country influence, while "At a Point Between Fate and Destiny" demonstrate an introspective quality.The band was unique, imaginative, and quite innovative for that time. ( NewGibraltar )
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