The Oxpetals: The Oxpetals 1970

                           

 

One of those talented late-'60s/early-'70s bands that's been lost in the dust of time. Calling Roanoke, Virginia home (one well known reference work ties them to update New York), the band debuted with an obscure garage and fuzz guitar powered 1967 single on Musicor:- 1967's 'Prune Growing In

June' b/w 'Walking Down the Sunny Side' (Musicor catalog number MU 1274). Dropped by Musicor, the band struggled on, going through a couple of personnel changes. By 1970 the personnel line-up consisted of drummer Daniel "Ace" Aliison, singer/guitarist Benjamin Herndon, bassist Guy Phillips, singer/guitarist Steven Pague, and keyboard player Robert Webber. Signed by Mercury, they relocated to Moosepack Lake, New Jersey, recording their self-titled debut at Mercury Studios in New York City. Produced by Steve Boone (of Lovin' Spoonful fame, "The Oxpetals" featured an all original set of material with all five members contributing to the writing chores. 
                               

With Herndon and Pague responsible for the majority of songs, exemplified by tracks like 'I Still Remember' and 'What Can You Say' the predominant sound was melodic country-rock. Both Herndon and

Pague had nice voices, with the band showing off a talent for writing nice melodies and sweet harmony vocals (check out the opener 'Don't Cry Mother'). Curiously the band were actually at their best on atypical tunes like the rockers 'The Lazy Station', 'You Can't Hide from the Rude Owl ', and the country-rock closer 'Glory of the Skies'. The thing to remember is the first side gets off to a slow start. It's not until the second half of the "A" side and the flip side that the band starts to reveal their considerable gifts.
                                  

Oxpetals – The Oxpetals
Label: Mercury – SR 61289
Format: Album, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Soft Rock, Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                         

01. Don't Cry Mother   3:41
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon
02. I Still Remember   3:29
Written-By – Steven Pague    
03. Doin' It   3:14
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon, Robert Webber       
04. What Can You Say   3:30
Written-By – Steven Pague
05. The Lazy Station   2:57
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon    
06. March 22   3:45
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon
07. Declaration Of Oneness   4:50
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon
08. Down From The Mountain   4:00
Written-By – Guy Phillips
09. Silent Partner   3:07
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon
10. Stephanie   1:34
Written-By – Guy Phillips
11. You Can't Hide From The Rude Owl   3:00
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon
12. Glory To The Skys   3:10
Written-By – Benjamin Herndon, Guy Phillips, Bob Weber, Steve Pague
    

LINE - UP

Vocals, Guitar – Benjamin Herndon 
Vocals, Guitar – Steven Pague
Bass – Guy Phillips
Drums – Daniel "Ace" Allison
Keyboards – Robert Webber 

Flac Size: 290 MB