The next and final release in the Psychic Circle series of numbered, limited edition 5CD box sets is A Journey To Tyme, an 80-track excursion into the murky world of ‘60s Garage sounds from the USA and Canada.
As with all the Psychic Circle box sets, A Journey To Thyme features 5 individually packaged CDs in replica card wallets. Familiar names jostle for our attention alongside their more obscure comtemporaries and each volume was compiled and sequenced by the legendary Nick Saloman (aka the Bevis Frond).
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| Sonics |
A Journey To Tyme was originally released as a double CD and 3 individual records and this is the first time all 5 volumes have been assembled as a deluxe 5CD box set. Accompanied by a detailed 40-page booklet featuring updated band histories, rare photographs and full discographies, this is another addition to any fan of the genre’s collection.
This is yet another collection (5 discs) of obscure garage bands mostly from the U.S. and Canada. However there's a couple of bands-one from the UK (THE RATS), and one from Scotland (THE POETS) that sneaked in somehow.
The sound is good to very good-especially considering that these 45's were recorded fast and on the cheap.
Each disc slips inside a cardboard envelope-which lists the bands and song titles, and everything fits inside a thick cardboard lidded box-which also lists bands/songs.
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| Myddle Class |
The 40 page booklet lists the bands alphabetically, with a short synopsis of each band and the music. There's photos of a number of the bands too. Also included is a handy Index so you can find a particular band quickly-very thoughtful. All in all a very nice package.
Included are 45's from a few early bands like THE IGUANAS (with Iggy Pop), AMERICAN BLUES (with Dusty Hill and Frank Beard-later of ZZ TOP), AMERICAN FOUR (with Arthur Lee and Johnny Echols of LOVE), and THE MOVING SIDEWALKS (with Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP).
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| Mark Four |
Also included are tracks from THE SONICS, THE VOGUES, THE RATIONALS, CHAD ALLAN & THE EXTREMES (who morphed into THE GUESS WHO), and THEE MIDNITERS.
But the vast majority of these bands were known only locally, or perhaps in a small region outside their town. A few of these groups are unknown-the only proof they existed is a single 45 they recorded before disappearing.
There's also a few covers-including "Substitute" by the XTREEMS, "Mona" by THE IGUANAS, "Where Have All The Good Times Gone" by ZOO, and "Feel A Whole Lot Better" by the FOUR OF US.
But don't think "obscure" mean "no talent". Are all the bands here good? No. But even they have a certain sound and spirit that comes through in their music. And that's the basis for garage bands-"let's form a band for fun, girls, and perhaps fame and fortune".
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| Glory Rhodes |
Unfortunately they didn't make it. But these bands put everything they had into recording a 45-and you can hear it. The best of this music is full of loud guitars, pounding drums, and snarling vocals.
And the mix of rock, pop, and psychedelic styles only adds to the depth of this collection. There's a lot of attitude from some of these local punks-if you get past the music-listen to some of the lyrics.
Comparisons would be the Pebble series, or maybe the seven volumes released by Sundazed. But the vast majority of this music will excite those (like me) who revel in obscure garage bands from the 60's-which is the era when anyone could form a band and-hopefully-make a record.
Some of these bands did record full albums, but many didn't-but it doesn't matter. These short stabs of U.S. style garage band 45's are full of attitude and exciting music. If you can't get enough of this kind of music-check this out. Like the title says-"a JOURNEY to TYME"-that pretty much says it all.
The box is heavy on the kind of music that makes American psychedelia distinct from its counterpart in the U.K.- folky harmonies, soulful organ and bass, and surf guitar. Of course there's no shortage of blazing, fuzzed-out guitar and surrealist subject matter.
While I enjoy British psychedelia, it's refreshing to hear music that has more to do with the Byrds and the Beach Boys than white bicycles and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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| 49th Parallel |
As with all Psychic Circle boxes, each band is listed with a brief bit of information and discography. The cds come in cardboard sleeves that are housed in a compact cardboard outer box.
Various – A Journey To Tyme (80 Of The Rarest '60s Garage Tracks From The US And Canada)
Label: Psychic Circle – PSYCHBOX4
Format: 5 x CD, Compilation, Limited Edition Box Set
Country: UK
Released: 2009
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock, Psychedelic Rock
VOLUME 1.
01. Unrelated Segments - Story Of My life 2:40
02. Beckett Quintet - No Correspondence 2:30
03. Enfields - She Already Has Somebody 2:47
04. Moving Sidewalks - Need Me 2:13
05. Painted Faces - Anxious Color 2:31
06. Ugly Ducklings - That's Just A Thought That I Had 2:40
07. Chayns - Run And Hide 2:53
08. American Blues - If I Were A Carpenter 4:24
09. Unrelated Segments - It's Unfair 2:39
10. Beckett Quintet - (It's All Over Now) Baby Blue 2:59
11. Enfields - I'm For Things You Do 2:29
12. Moving Sidewalks - Every Night A New Surprise 2:56
13. Painted Faces - Things We See 2:04
14. Ugly Ducklings - Just In Case You Wonder 2:26
15. Chayns - Why Did You Hurt Me 2:06
16. American Blues - All I Saw Was You 3:42
MP3 @ 320 Size: 104 MB
Flac Size: 264 MB
VOLUME 2.
01. Faine Jane - It Ain't True 3:10
02. Canterbury Fair - Song On A May Morning 2:57
03. Cryan Shames - Ben Franklin's Almanac 2:00
04. Haymarket Riot - Nine O'Clock 2:57
05. 4 Of Us -I Feel A Whole Lot Better 2:12
06. Thee Midniters - Never Knew I Had It So Bad 2:33
07. New Breed - High Society Girl 2:25
08. Roosters - One Of These Days 2:46
09. Fifth Order - Goin' Too Far 2:44
10. Fe-Fi-Four Plus 2 - Mr. Sweet Stuff 2:37
11. Rats - Got To See My Baby Every Day 2:23
12. Esquires - Sadie's Way 2:31
13. Poets - Now We're Thru 2:19
14. Hallmarks - Soul Shakin' Psychedelic Sally 2:42
15. Outcasts - I Didnt Have To Love Her Anymore 3:10
16. Rationals - Feelin' Lost 1:50
01. Iguanas - Mona 2:39
02. High Spirits - I Believe 2:32
03. 49th Parallel - Laborer 2:24
04. Myddle Class - I Happen To Love You 2:49
05. Sonics - Cinderella 2:44
06. Xtreems - Substitute 2:47
07. Countdown Five - Shaka Shaka Na Na 2:35
08. Druids - Doctor Friend 2:11
09. Iguanas - I Don't Know Why 2:30
10. High Spirits - Bright Lights Big City 2:49
11. 49th Parallel - You Do Things 2:22
12. Myddle Class - Don't Let Me Sleep Too Long 3:24
13. Sonics - Louie Louie 2:57
14. Xtreems - Facts Of Life 2:34
15. Countdown Five - Money Man 2:52
16. Druids - She's Got A Secret To Hide 2:42
01. English Setters - Tragedy 2:16
02. Five Empressions - Little Miss Sad 2:16
03. Vogues - Humpty Dumpty 2:30
04. What's Happening - Baby You're Hurtin' 2:18
05. Ex-Cels - Like A Dream 2:40
06. Zoo - Where Have All The Good Times 2:43
07. Mark Four - Forget It Baby 2:00
08. Roads End - Why 2:22
09. Tommy Burk & The Counts - Without Me 1:53
10. Guess Who - Use Your Imagination 2:07
11. Bassmen - I Need You 2:51
12. What-Knots - I Ain't Dead Yet 2:37
13. These Properous Times - Baby's Comin' Back 2:12
14. Thunderbirds - Your Ma Said You Cried 2:37
15. British Walkers - Shake 2:21
16. Chad Allan - Shakin' All Over 2:42
01. Leather Boy - On the Go 2:14
02. Glory Rhodes - I'm Gonna Change the World 2:52
03. Blue Banana - Spicks and Specks 3:04
04. State of Mind - Make You Cry 2:51
05. Pattens - You Should Know 2:14
06. Living End - I Need a Lot of Lovin' 2:09
07. American Four - Lucy Barnes 2:32
08. Messengers - I Gotta Dance 2:47
09. Leather Boy - Soulin' 1:46
10. Glory Rhodes - Stay Out of My Way 2:14
11. Blue Banana - My Luv 2:59
12. State of Mind - Goin' Away 2:32
13. Pattens - Jump 2:45
14. Living End - Turkey Stomp 2:31
15. American Four - Soul Food 2:41
16. Messengers - Right On 3:48
First thank you for the ultra rare box. Is do rare that it doesn't even appear on discogs.I know a lot and of course i have. I think 30-40% of the tracks are unknown to me.
ReplyDeleteI found yet a lot of music from your archive in the category ethnic
that i overlooked for the first time.
These are hot tips i also like this music.
I love ethnic music
DeleteWhat strikes me that you have no POP
Deletemusic in your entries.
Do not like it? Of course that is not for everyone.
I really like it. Old & new.
Do you mean Madonna, Michael Jackson, Abba, etc? No I don't like them and I hate Disco music
DeleteNo, of course i don't mean that.
DeleteI only know the musicans mentioned above from hearsy. I'm not interested in that either. I thought you should know me wenn enough by now that i can't mean something like that.
Some examples ?
Badfinger, Shoes, Dwight Twilley, Sagittarius, Millenium, Smithereens, The Nines, Bongos, Martin Newell, Cheap Trick, Jam, The Records, Lolas, Game Theory etc, etc...
Most of these groups are Rock for me. You can find Jam on my Blog, but I have so many CDs and Vinyls that I don't know what to post every time. It's a problem for me.
DeleteO.k. no problem!
ReplyDeletemany thanks Kostas
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always in FLAC! Many thanks. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. A great addition, many thanks!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comments
Delete