Ill Wind - Flashes (Expanded 2 CD 2009) 1968

 

The band was started in 1965 in Cambridge, MA, by two graduates – Ken Frankel (biophysics) and Carey Mann (math), who were joined by folk duo of Judy Bradbury and Norm Gan. Around 1965/66

the music scene drifted from the pure entertainment of R&R and beat towards rock and psychedelia, and “Ill Wind” perfectly fit in it with their unique mixture of psychedelia and acid-folk. By that time the original singer Judy Bradbury (who helped to shape the sound of the band) quit to be replaced by another ex-folky – Conny Devanney – a singer parexcellence with crystal clear voice.
                                 

The band went through hard times (they couldn’t get jobs because they played their own songs and

refused to play covers, and they looked and dressed too “hippie” to be generally accepted). However, “Ill Wind” was gigging non-stop in the college circuit and built a solid following, finally becoming a resident act at the “Boston Tea Party” (which was New England’s response to the rock shrine of “Fillmore” in San Francisco). Because they were performing mostly original songs, and audiences were so enthusiastic, the band decided to make a demo.
                           

Terry Hanley, who had sold them their sound equipment, had just built a small recording studio and

offered to record them cheaply. Just after the band recorded their first takes, vocalist Judy decided she wasn't comfortable with the intense commitment required due to the Ill Wind's sudden success. Because of this new pressure and increasing time demands, Judy left the band.
                          

The Ill Wind's popularity was rapidly growing, performances were booked, the band's demo recording was in progress, and now they were losing their female singer. The band auditioned several replacement singers, but Conny Devanney stood out among the applicants and was immediately asked to join the Ill

Wind. Conny started singing professionally in a folk group in 1960 called the Cumberland Singers, and had performed at Gertie's Folk City and the Bitter End, as well as some smaller nightclubs in New Jersey. The line-up was once again stabilised. With Conny replacing Judy on the recordings and adding some new parts, Ken playing lead guitar, Richard playing rhythm guitar and vocals, Carey on bass and vocals, and Dave on drums, they finished their demo with Terry Hanley.
                      

“Ill Wind” recorded a few demos for Capitol (before being dropped by the label) and ended up signed

by ABC. In 1968 “Ill Wind” had played with the wide range of top musicians from Chuck Berry to The Who, thus there were many fans waiting for their debut album – which was properly delayed by label, misproduced, artwork ruined, and the label didn’t manufacture enough copies to satisfy the demands.
                           

In late 1969, when Ken (who had married Judy Bradbury, the band's original singer) moved to Marin County in Northern California (which his friend Jerry Garcia had convinced him "was the place to be" for musicians), the band broke up. In 1970 the Ill Wind reformed with all original members except Ken,

with Carey rejoining on lead guitar and organ in place of Ken, Conny on vocals, Richard on rhythm guitar, Dave on drums, Michael on bass, and Berred the road manager for larger venues. After a few months, Carey quit again and was replaced eventually by Walter Bjorkman. In this form, the band carried on doing mostly covers for nearly a year. In 1971 Richard left, to be replaced eventually with Bryant Thayer on piano. In this configuration, with Connie and Dave as the only remaining members from the ABC album and with Michael still on bass, the band probably played more performances than ever before, but finally dissolved for good in 1973.
                     

Sunbeam Records presents an expanded reissue of Ill Wind's Flashes, originally released in 1968. From

Boston, but light years away from the excesses of the notorious "Bosstown sound", Ill Wind are revered as one of America's best late '60s underground bands. Mixing taut acid rock with gorgeous ballads, and featuring outstanding guitar interplay and the beautiful vocals of Connie Devanney, Flashes is rightly regarded as one of the key artifacts of US psychedelia.
                       

Originally issued in the summer of 1968, and much bootlegged since, Sunbeam is delighted to

announce this music's first proper reissue, prepared with the band's full participation. The original album is accompanied by a second disc containing a plethora of superb contemporary bonus material, as well as a booklet featuring rare photographs and historical notes by the band's founder and lead guitarist Ken Frankel, making the package truly essential for psych fans.

NOTES

                                

Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Richard Griggs
Vocals – Connie Devanney
Bass – Michael Walsh (tracks: 2-11 to 2-15)
Bass, Vocals – Carey Mann
Drums – David Kinsman
Executive-Producer [Reissue] – Jude Holmes, Steven Carr
Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica – Ken Frankel
Producer – Dick Weismann (tracks: 2-5 to 2-9), Tom Wilson (2) (tracks: 1-1 to 1-9)
Recorded By – Harry Yarmark
Remastered By – Dave Blackman
Remix – Gary Kellgren

Ill Wind – Flashes ...Expanded
Label: Sunbeam Records – SBR2CD5065
Format: 2 x CD, Album, Reissue 2009
Country: UK
Released: 1968
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

ORIGINAL LP

                                      

  
01. Walkin' And Singin'  (Written-By – Tom Frankel)   3:12
02. People Of The Night  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   7:44
03. Little Man  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   4:31
04. Dark World  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   3:45
05. L.A.P.D.  (Written-By – Richard Griggs)   5:05
06. High Flying Bird  (Written-By – Billy Ed Wheeler)   4:58
07. Hung Up Chick  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)    5:53
08. Sleep  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)    2:39
09. Full Cycle  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)    6:10

MP3 @ 320 Size: 104 MB
Flac  Size: 253 MB

BONUS MATERIAL       

    
01. Ill Wind  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)    2:56
02. All Over Love Is One  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)   2:26
03. I Can See You  (Written-By – Carey Mann)   2:56
04. I Tell You I Know  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)   2:51
05. Tomorrow You'll Come Back  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)   2:39
06. You're All I See Now  (Written-By – Carey Mann, Sandy Darlington)   2:19
07. Are You Right?  (Written-By – Ken Frankel)   2:25
08. People Of The Night  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   2:25
09. It's Your Life  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   2:20
10. Flashes  (Written-By – Richard Griggs)   3:28
11. The Water Is Wide  (Written-By – Traditional)   3:35
12. Mauti  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   5:30
13. Waking In The Water  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   3:11
14. 1 And 100  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   4:31
15. Frosted Summer Drink  (Written-By – Ken & Tom Frankel)   3:21

MP3 @ 320 Size: 102 MB

 Flac  Size: 245 MB