UK Psychedelia 68–69

Welcome to the third episode of my personal History of Psychedelia and we head back to the UK and the years 1968 and 1969.

It is my contention that 1969 marks the Golden Age of psychedelic music in the popular sense and after 1969 we headed towards progressive rock (prog rock), hard rock and of course heavy metal.

With regards to pop music within a couple of years we were awash with glitter as the Glam Rock phenomena made itself known.

Anyhoo – all that is down the road apiece… at the moment we are still basking in the afterglow of The Summer of Love and there is still time enough to feel those warm vibes of peace and patchouli…

It is still in fact, the time of the season….

The Zombies – “Time of the Season” – Odessey and Oracle – March 1968

The Zombies were formed in that hot bed of psychedelia, St Albans way back in the pre-Beatle’s world of 1961. 

The Zombie’s only released two albums prior to splitting up in December 1967. They had, before splitting, released their 2nd album which was released in March 1968.

The album was Odessey and Oracle and now, as is the way of the world, it is now regarded as one of the greatest albums not only of the 60s but in fact, of all time.

The Zombies having split morphed in the prog band Argentand singer Colin Blunstone became a charting solo artist in the early 70s.

The Zombies reconvened from time to time since the late 80s and still continue to perform from time to time.

The Incredible String Band – “Mercy I Cry City” – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter – March 1968

The Incredible String Band’s third album and the band continue to sing of myth and esoterica and though the album can now be seen perhaps as a typical example of 60s Hippydom it reached number 5 in the UK album charts and is still cited as an influence by people such as Robert Plant who claimed the album had a huge effect on Led Zeppelin when they came to record their debut album.

The Wyrd Folk adherents of recent years have also referencedthe album’s appeal.

I have chosen a Mike Heron song, “Mercy I Cry City” and Heron takes the lead vocal.

The Small Faces – “Mad John” – Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake – May 1968

One of pop’s first concept albums, albeit that the concept was confined to side 2 of the original vinyl album. The concept ?Well…

The concept is about a boy called Happiness Stan and the narrative follows Happiness Stan in his quest to find the ‘missing’ half of the moon having seen the moon at half-phase in the sky one night and not quite understanding the luna phases.

During Stan’s quest he saves a fly from starvation, and in gratitude the fly tells him of a wise man who can answer his questions about the moon and indeed also tell him the philosophy of life itself.

Conveniently Stan is possessed of magic powers – I forgot to mention this bit – and Stan weaves a bit of magic and the fly duly grows to gigantic proportions. Seated on the giant fly’s back, Stan undertakes a psychedelic journey to the cave of Mad John the Hermit, who explains that the moon’s partial disappearance is only temporary, and demonstrates by pointing out that Stan has spent so long on his quest that the moon is now full again. 

Yeah..the 60s..you had to be there…

Fairport Convention – “The Lobster” – Fairport Convention – June 1968

Another debut album and one that demonstrates the influence of the American West Coast scene over here in Britain.

Fairport Convention went on to become leaders of the folk rock that emerged in the early 70s but their first three albums were very much in debt to song-writers from the US.

Some original tracks and some covers from Joni Mitchell(two in fact) Bob Dylan and Emitt Rhodes.

It’s an album that I play regularly and continues to shine whenever the sun does.

I have chosen a Fairport original in The Lobster

Pink Floyd – “Let There Be More Light” – BBC Sessions – The Early Years – June 1968

Released as Floyd’s fourth single and was written about theimagined arrival of a UFO at RAF Mildenhall.

This version is from a BBC session recorded on 2^nd December 1968

Deep Purple – “Help” – Shades of Deep Purple – July 1968

Deep Purple’s debut album which sold very poorly here in the UK but was a success in the US where the single “Hush” a track written by Tony Joe South reached the Billboard Top 4.

The album was recorded in only four days and included four covers and four originals.

I have selected the bands “groovy” rendition of The Beatle’s “Help !”

Tyrannosaurus Rex – “Child Star” – My People Were Fair – July 1968

“My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair… But Now They’re Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows” is the full title of the debut album from Tyrannosaurus Rex who at that point consisted only of the duo Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin-Took.

It’s a far cry from Bolan’s Glam Rock heyday and is very much of it’s day and has similarities with The Incredible String Band.

Having said that, Bolan’s imagination if not execution is to be admired and indeed Bolan was much admired and supported by John Peel and to an extent that has become somewhat forgotten.

Savoy Brown – “Mr Downchild” – Getting to the Point – July 1968

Part of the British based blues boom of the mid to late 60s, Savoy Brown had by their second album drifted towards psychedelia.

There had been many line-up changes since their debut and this is reflected in the wider range of compositions across the second album.

The Moody Blues – “Legend of A Mind” – In Search of The Lost Chord – July 1968

Like its predecessor, “In Search of the Lost Chord” is yet another concept album. The concept being a theme of quest and discovery and also including inner self-realization. 

Accordingly, the album takes inspiration from the spirit of inner exploration that epitomised the psychedelic era. 

Justin Hayward himself admitted to the influence of psychedelic drugs on the band’s creative process at the time.

Legend of a Mind was written by the band’s flautist, Ray Thomas and was about LSD promoter and advocate Timothy Leary.

Traffic – “40,000 thousand Headmen” – Traffic – October 1968

Taken from Traffic’s second album “Roamin‘ Thru’ the Gloamin‘ with 40,000 Headmen” to give the song’s it’s full title, is one of my favourite tracks from Traffic’s early period.

As much folky jazz as psychedelia, the song contains a heady mix of menace and mystery plus wonderful instrumentation with a special shout out to Chris Wood on flute.

Tyrannosaurus Rex – “Deborarobed” – Prophets, Seers and Sages – November 1968

“Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages” to give the albums its full title, the album opened with a revisiting of the duo’s first single, the minor top 40 hit “Debora”, now altered midway by a reversed-tape effect.

A critic at the time claimed that the album was a perfectexample of “psychedelic folk” and contained some “fine bongo action”….

The Beatles – “Dear Prudence” – The White Album – November 1968

A track written by John Lennon whilst actually visiting the infamous Maharishi Yogi – can’t get more psychedelic than that !

The song was written about Mia Farrow’s sister Prudencewhom Lennon thought was becoming to secluded through her devotion to meditation.

The song has had many artists cover it most notably Siouxie and The Banshees and also The Jerry Garcia Band.

Soft Machine – “Joy of a Toy” – The Soft Machine AKAVolume 1 – December 1968 

Before they morphed into a dadaist jazz fusion unit, Soft Machine were one of the great hopes of the psychedelic scene.

Soft Machine’s first two albums are absolute essential purchases for any self-respecting psychedelic collection.

I never tire of them – I always find something fresh in their off-kilter grooves and surrealist humour.

Kevin Ayers is present on their debut album; he was to depart after just one album having been exhausted by the bands gruelling US tour supporting The Jim Hendrix Experience.

I feature a Ayers co-write with keyboardist Mike Ratledgewho sadly passed recently.

Caravan – “Place of My Own” – Caravan – January 1969

A band that very soon dove into progressive rock but here display all the ingredients of good Psychedelia.

“Place of My Own” is the lead track from debut album “Caravan” and was recorded using equipment loaned to the band by Soft Machine who were themselves touring with The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Genesis – “When the Sour Turns to Sweet” – From Genesis to Revelation – March 1969

In the beginning…it all started right here. Genesis’ first albumreleased in 1969 but originating from demos recorded in 1967.

I still find it quite fascinating and one can clearly perceive the Gabriel era within.

The album of course was a complete flop but has merit enough to be heard in this episode. 

Yes – “Sweetness” – Yes – July 1969

Yet another band whose origins were within the psychedelic era and then went on to become a giant of Prog.

The album contains interesting re-workings of of “Every Little Thing“ by The Beatles and “I See You” by The Byrds. The latter containing some flash guitar work by then guitarist Peter Banks who, after the band’s second album, went on to form..ermm Flash.

I have selected the band’s first single for this episode. Again, it did sod all.

However, here on their second album they still have Peter Frampton to show them the way and Town and Country indicates a more pastoral approach than the “heavier”progressive sound featured on their debut album which had been released only two months earlier. 

Kevin Ayers – “Girl on a Swing” – Joy of a Toy –November 1969

Ayers’ first in a long run of superbly individualistic, idiosyncratic solo albums.

Having jumped from a moving Soft Machine, Ayers produced this sunshine and wine-soaked brilliance.

It is every bit as good as the first two Soft Machine albums, perhaps more avant-garde than psychedelic, Joy of a Toy is a highlight of late 60s songwriting.

Ayers I think often attained much of what poor, failing Syd Barrett was reaching for.

Mighty Baby – “Same Way from the Sun” – Mighty Baby– November 1969

Mighty Baby were formed in 1969 by members of the band The Action. Guitarist Martin Stone had indeed been a founder member of Savoy Brown (see above) and was one of British rock’s unsung heroes.

Mighty Baby were a quintessential festival band and had appeared at the 1970 Isle of Wight festival.

Somewhat forgotten now they are well worth investigating.

Bill Fay – “We Have Laid Here” – Bill Fay – 1970

Bill Fay was a left-field singer-songwriter who, after releasing three albums in the 70s quietly disappeared from the music scene until he enjoyed a increase in interest in his work in the 2000s and released a new album in 2012 (Live Is People).

He subsequently released two more albums in 2015 and 2020.

He died aged 81 in February of this year.

Keith Christmas – “Lori” – Fable of the Wings – 1970

Keith Christmas is a British singer-songwriter who remains active to this day. He played on Bowie’s Space Oddity album and worked with, by way of support a number of name bands of the time such as Ten Years After, Hawkwind, Frank Zappa and many others.

He also played at a private festival for my 60th birthday. He’s a very nice man !

Roy Harper – “Goodbye” – Flat Baroque and Berserk – January 1970

Like Keith Christmas, Roy Harper is still writing and performing and has many other career similarities.

Harper was very much a friend to the A listers of the day; he sang “Have a Cigar” on Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” album and Led Zep’s “(Hats of to) Roy Harper” was their tribute to him.

The album featured her also includes “Another Day”, a song expressing regret for lost love. The song was covered as a duet by Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel in her 1979 television special,

“How Does it Feel” is used in the closing scene of episode 3 of the third season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” 

Spooky Tooth – “I am The Walrus” – The Last Puff – July 1970

Spooky Tooth were another band originally formed in the English provinces, this time in Carlisle.

They were a strange band in that they never really committed to any definite style of music. They dabbled in psychedelia when they needed to and then moved on to whatever was in vogue at the time.

A final stab at psychedelia here in July 1970 when they attempt to turn back the clock with an interesting version of “I am The Walrus”.

Goo goo g’joob….

Vashti Bunyan – “Rose Hip November” – Just Another Diamond Day – December 1970

Our penultimate track is taken from a much fabled and now very well know psychedelic folk album from less than prolific Vashti Bunyan.

Her tale is well known suffice to say that if you wish for a simpler life…just be careful for what you wish for….

Pink Floyd – “If” – BBC Session – The Early Years – July 1970

Another BBC session, this time from July 1970. Floyd had yet to release the rather lumbering Atom Heart Mother album and “If” is still part of the ongoing work in progress.