Fred - Notes on a Picnic (1974 US progressive / 2002 edition)
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Artist: Fred
Album: Notes on a Picnic
Released: 1974 USA
2002 World In Sound (WIS-1016)
Genre: Progressive Rock, Fusion, Jazz Rock
*** Fred was rediscovered in 2000 by World In Sound. An indie record label, World In Sound found their 45 rpm single Salvation Lady/a love song (Arpeggio Records 1971) at a German flea market. Tracking down guitarist Joe DeCristopher via the internet, World In Sound signed the group and has since released 3 albums. fred's 1st album is World In Sound's number 3 Top Seller.
Who or what is fred?
In Swedish, fred means "peace", a good idea for any decade. In music, fred was part of the "turn on, tune in, drop out" culture of the late 60's and started playing together in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania in the autumn of 1969, while the nucleus of the band was still attending Bucknell University.
In late 1971/early 1972, the band recorded many of their original songs at ITI Studios in Maryland with engineer George Massenburg. These recordings make up the bulk of fred's 1st album on World In Sound, the self-titled fred (WIS-1003), digitally remastered/released in 2001.
*** After the successful World in Sound debut of Fred's first album of progressive/psychedelic rock, Fred returns with a second album featuring the continued growth of their original and innovative sound. Lots of heavy electric guitar, progressive electric violin with fusion/ classical overtones, massive rock drums and bass, swirling garage rock organ, funky/jazzy electric piano and heavenly vocal harmonies all mix together to create music that is uniquely Fred. Influenced by Frank Zappa, King Crimson and Mahavishnu, with echoes of 70's rock bands like Traffic, Procol Harum, Jethro Tull and The Allman Brothers, these performances sound like something else entirely. The master tapes were originally recorded 1973/74 at Blue Rock, the studio "Rolling Stone" called "The Apotheosis of the Laid Back". Blues Rock even had walls made of denim and Turkish rugs on the floor - sort of like an opium den with a 16-track recording console. The eight instrumental and three vocal tracks (2 with lyrics) are at the highest level of musical proficiency and creativity in the progressive rock genre. Included as a bonus track is the trippy, late-night studio jam on War's "Slippin' Into Darkness" that will blow your mind.
24-bit digitally remastered from the original session tapes, "Notes on a Picnic" is a full-tilt, sonic feast for fans of progressive rock. Violinist David Rose later went on to record as a successful solo artist in France in collaboration with Serge Perathoner. The CD booklet contains informative liner notes, original Fred cartoons, and plenty of photos. 64 minutes of honest, dangerous, and awesome music that will grow on you. (Malesch)
Track List:
01. Here's A Wet One 6:02
02. Notes On A Picnic 4:02
03. Variations 3:23
04. Mantra 5:30
05. For Bela Bartok 4:25
06. The Head's The Best Part 6:04
07. Cheese Dog 4:21
08. Chaos In The Conservatory 8:47
09. Perverseerance 4:41
10. Political Silence 4:42
11. Slippin' Into Darkness 12:44
*** By fred's 2nd album, Notes on a Picnic (WIS-1016), the band's music evolved into inventive instrumental progressive rock featuring quirky melodies, intricate scored parts, tight ensemble playing, complex polyrhythms, sophisticated multi-tracking, and inspired rock improvisation.
Originally recorded 1973/74 at Blue Rock Studios in New York City but not released until 2003 by World In Sound, Notes on a Picnic is a full-tilt sonic feast, 24-bit digitally remastered from the original session tapes.
Sparkling with creative musicianship, the album overflows with wonderfully raucous rock guitar, mind-bending electric violin with fusion/classical overtones, propulsive rock drums and bass, swirling garage rock organ, and funky electric piano.
Bursting with an eclectic, eccentric diversity, Notes on a Picnic is adventurous, playful, and unpredictable, vibrating with a vivid intensity. Furious fun, delightfully deranged.
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