The Byrds - "Phoenix"

 On September 14, 1970, The Byrds published what would be their last great album: "Untitled", with only one of its founding members: Roger McGuinn. A double album that not only reflected the fruit of the recording sessions in the studio, but also of their recent tour.An album that left from the aborted project of "Gene Tryp" to that of "Phoenix" and a reading error left it without title. 

The version that I will bring you,  will be a double CD with an alternative and reconstructed version of the live disc, plus the studio record "Phoenix", with unknow tracks in real stereo.

Ok!.., Here it is.

How “Gene Trip”, Roger´s project, it did not work; at the beginning of 1970, the producer Terry Melcher said to McGuinn that the band should release a double album, featuring an LP of concert recordings and other with new material from studio, which would retail for the same price as a regular single album. Something that had become fashionable, as “Cream” had done in 1968.

The first record was recorded in two concerts in New York City at the Colden Center Auditorium, Queens College. on Saturday, Feb.28 1970 and other the next day March 1 at Felt Forum. The studio lp was recorded at Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA. between May 26 and June 11.1970. These studio tracks mostly consisted of newly material written and composed by band leader Roger McGuinn and Broadway theatre director Jacques Levy for a planned country rock musical under the title of “Gene Tryp”. Presumably of the twenty-six songs that were written for the musical, four appeared in the album's final running order: “Lover Of The Bayou” (live version); “Chesnut Mare”; “All The Things”; and “Just a Season”. Five in this reconstruction: "Kathleen's Song”.

The original title from this new work was “Phoenix” to express the artistic rebirth of the band, after John Taylor will quit “The Byrds” late 1969. Moment in which Roger McGuinn would rethink whether or not to dissolve the group definitively and start his solo career; but when the producer Terry Melcher had to submit paperwork to the record company, put 'Untitled', and due to a misunderstanding at the pressing plant, “Untitled” became the album's official title.Bit.ly/70Bpx5 That's why we should call it actually “Phoenix” because the original title was never changed. I think that should have been changed in later editions or have not used that cover. Anyway.., it doesn´t matter. This reconstruction follow the original concept. First disc: live outtakes placed in the same order as were played in concert.

Side One: (In concert). (19:34)

1.You Ain´t Going Nowhere. (2:55) (*)

2.Old Blue. (3:24) (*)

3.My Back Pages. (2:41) (*)

4.Take A Whiff On Me. (2:38) (+)

5.The Ballad Of Easy Rider. (2:48) (*)

6.This Wheel´s On Fire. (5:05) (`)

Side Two:  (In Concert). (19:00)

1.Jesus Is Just Alright. (3:11) (+)

2.Eight Miles High / Tag. (15:49) (`)

(`)Live Colden Center Auditorium, Queens College, N.Y.C Feb.28.1970

(*) live at Felt Forum. N.Y.C  March 1.1970.

(+) live Fillmore East. N.Y.C. Sept.23.1970.

Side Three: (Studio recordings). (19:10)

1.Amazing Grace. (0:58)

2.Well Come Back Home / White's Lightning (I & II). (7:54) (Unreleased version)

3.Chestnut Mare. (6:22) (Unreleased - Full length version).

4.Truck Stop Girl. (3:54) (Unreleased version)

Side Four:: (Studio recordings). (19:06)

1.All The Things. (4:58) (Alternate version)

2.Kathleen's Song. (2:37) (Alternate version #1)

3.Lover Of The Bayou. (5:14) (Alternate studio version)

4.Just A Season. (2:43) (Unreleased edit version)

5.Willin´. (3:32) (Alternate studio version)

Side C & D  from Columbia Studios, Hollywood, CA

(May 26 - June 11.1970)

The second, studio recordings; presented here following an alternative order that was finally rejected for the album. “Amazing Grace” it was a link track between the end of side B and the start of Side C. this song it was used to close the concerts.

Next: “White´s Lightning”, It was a “Jam” by Roger McGuinn and Clarence White, of something more than 15 minutes, it was edited to 5 minutes as alternative ending or “coda” of “Welcome Back Home”. After be rejected that possibility, “White's Lightning” was edited again in two parts; later issued on “The Byrds box set” and “(Untitled)/(Unissued)”, Here is the unreleased alternative version from this song. As unpublished is also the two that follows: “Chestnut Mare” & “Truck Stop Girl” unedited. The last side brings more alternate version, some known, except “Just a Seaon”, edited to be included in the first single.

Finally, the cover it´s an alternate photo, later used on cassette and eight track tapes from “untitled”. Backcover: from the single “Chesnut Mare” “Just a Season".

Ok, that´s all. I hope you like it and enjoy it.

Photo: Alternate original cover for "Phoenix". Later used on cassette and eight track tape box.

Cream - "Goodbye".(Unreleased Original Version)

 

In October 1968, Cream met for the last time in a studio to record some songs for the farewell album: "Goodbye". Produced by Felix Pappalardi and arranged by Robert Stigwood at the IBC studios in London under the supervision of the sound engineer: Damon Lyon-Shaw; this last work was originally composed of two disc, in line with "Wheels of Fire", published just a couple of months ago, in August.

The original ”Goodbye” contained a part recorded in concert during his last tour and other in studio; with the difference that the live part was going to be placed on sides A and B; while the studio songs would go to disc 2. 

This was the original version that should have been published in December 1968.

 Side A: (In Concert).(19:26)

 Winterland, San Francisco.Ca.

10 March 1968.

1- N.S.U.(Unedited).(12:38)

2- Sleepy Time Time.(6:48) 

Side B: (In Concert).(19:38)

The Forum, Los Angeles.Ca.

19 October 1968.

1- I´m So Glad.(9:32)

2- Politician.(5:10)

3- Sitting On Top Of The World.(4:55) 

Although the idea was to use live shots of the final U.S tour, between the Oakland concert on October 4 and the last date in Rhode Island on November 4, and some mixes were made especially from the Oakland concert, finally no were used, only some of these live outtakes were included in 1972 on "Live Cream Vol.2". 

This 2nd disc was a “Greatest Hits” with unreleased tracks like: "Badge" "What A Bringdown" or “Doing That Scrapyard Thing”. with others not included in any Lp like the single: "Anyone for tennis" or the "Disraeli Gears" outtake: "Lawdy Mama".

Side C: (Studio).(18:52)

1- Sunshine Of Your Love.(4:13)

2- Badge.(2:47)

3- What A Bringdown.(4:01)

4- White Room.(5:00)

5-Lawdy Mama #2.(2:49) 

Side D: (Studio).(18:52)

1- Anyone For Tennis.(2:40)

2- Spoonful.(Edit).(4:21)

3- Tales Of Brave Ulysses.(2:49)

4- Strange Brew.(2:49)

5- I Feel Free.(2:53)

6- Doing That Scrapyard Thing.(3:18)

At the middle of November, the double album was ready, the result was shown to the record company for publication shortly after the concerts of the Royal Albert Hall, on November 25 & 26, 1968. But the original plans for "Goodbye" were modified by the company. Delayed until February, when it was released,instead of a double album, was a single Lp with only six tracks; three live recordings from Los Angeles Forum, and three new songs from October sessions. In March the single "Badge"/ “What a bringdown” ,was released.

In the summer of 1969 was published in the United States "Best Of Cream", part that corresponded to the second LP of the "Goodbye" original ", with some change on the order of the songs; in October this “Greatest Hits” was published in United Kingdom too. Finally in April of 1970 came the Lp "Live Cream", with the A side corresponding to "Goodbye", with the unreleased "Lawdy Mama", also from the same work. Completing it with extra recordings recorded live on Winterland and Fillmore. What is not understood either is that no cuts of the Royal Albert Hall shows were included. Considered historical recordings.

"Goodbye" received harsh criticism after its publication due to its scarce musical contribution; Bit.ly/68CRMG more money gave it to records company three albums than one only. Anyway.., In this new reconstruction that I bring you it´s shown for the first time what was going to be "Goodbye -The Orginal Concept”, in December 1968, as the final project of the super group "Cream".

Enjoy it.

Pie de foto: Alternate cover rejected for “Goodbye”.

Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity: "The Best of".(Alternate 2nd version)

 

After the success achieved by the double LP: "Streetnoise" published in May 1969, attribu-ted to Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity ,the lead singer, also known as "Jools", announced that she was leaving the band to undertake new projects as fashion model or film actress. Polydor Records prepared a “Greatest hits” as the culmination of her participation in the band.

This compilation appeared late 1969 with the name:"The Best Of The Best of Julie Driscoll & Brian Auger"; but the album would be edited again the next year as: "The Best Of Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity“, because the name of the band it was omitted

In addition, the content of the disc was revised too, where not only the order of the songs was slightly different, also the themes: "Tramp" & "A World About Color" had been replaced by the version they made of the “The Doors” hit:”Light My Fire” and the anthem "Save The Country", as well as bringing two alternative songs: "Break It Up" & "Save Me".

The 1969 original version it was like that:

Side A : 1- Let The Sunshine In. 2- The Road To Cairo. 3- Take Me To The Water/ I´m Going Back Home.. 4- Save Me (Parts 1 & 2). 5- A Kind Of Love Me. Side B :1- Indian Rope Man. 2- Why (Am I Treated So Bad). 3- Break It Up. 4- A World About Color. 5- This Wheel´s On Fire. 6- Trump. 

And although the cover was changing over the years, the set list of this “Greatest Hits” was always the same, except for a special edition made by Polydor in 1982, where the 2nd adaptation from 1970 was used for the first and last time; which is the one presented here, Bit.ly/70JDBA in its total content, respecting the alternative order of the songs and the original mixes. Shortly after, a new revision appeared with slightly altered order, with a couple of extra themes.

Ok!, the 1970 unpublished version, reconstructed for you, was that: 

Side A :(19:38) 

1.Let The Sunshine In. (3:04)

2.The Road To Cairo.(5:21) (*)

3.Take Me To The Water.(1:34)

4.I´m Going Back Home.(2:42)

5.Light My Fire.(4:21)

6.A Kind Of Loving In.(2:53)

Side B :(19:42) 

1.This Wheel´s On Fire.(3:32) (*)

2.Break It Up.(Alt).(2:47)

3.Why (Am I Treated So Bad).(3:33)

4.Save Me.(Alt).(2:31) (*)

5.Save The Country.(3:55)

6.Indian Rope Man.(3:22) 

All songs Stereo except (*) Mono.

For the album cover of this second version of “Greatest Hits” was chosen a photograph of Julie Driscoll, but at last, it was decided that the best thing would be a photo of the band .

Enjoy it.

Pink Floyd. "Games To May".

 “Games for May “ was a show, which took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 12 May 1967; in London's upscale South Bank performing-arts district, usually only used for classical concerts.

This concert was one of the first significant events held by Pink Floyd, described by their manager Christopher Hunt as a: “Space Age Relaxation For The Climax of Spring – Electronic Composition, Colour And Image Projection, Girls, And The Pink Floyd". The first in U.K in to feature both a complex light show with quadraphonic speaker system.

Unfortunately was not recorded, so there is no possibility of listening to it, that is the reason of this new reconstruction made with studio recordings. This is the soundtrack of a great lost concert or the alternate way to hear the first album of Pink Floyd.

Spring of '67, Pink Floyd were in the middle of recording sessions for their debut album, “Piper at the Gates of Dawn”: little by little they had grown to become one of the representatives of Britain's psychedelic pop movement. 

A weeks before the concert, the band asked to Bernard Speight, Abbey Road's techies, if he could invent something with which to manipulate the sound. He built a box with four separate 90-degree potentiometers, one for each speaker, all controlled by a single joystick. If the joystick was upright, the sound was centered, but moving it diagonally would dispatch the sound to the speaker in the equivalent corner of the hall. This invention was given the fittingly futuristic name of the Azimuth Coordinator was stolen after the show. 

In this perfomance, not only featured some of material from the debut album: that would be published in August; also the band members created sound effects with a series of tape recordings. Bit.ly/67pf1 Roger Waters created the opening dawnusing bird calls and various natural sounds (an effect he would use in both "Cirrus Minor" and "Grantchester Meadows"). Syd Barret wrote for this event "See Emily Play" was known as "Games for May. 

Side A: (19.27)

1.Dawn. (0.35) (Unreleased).(Sound effects).

2.Matilda Mother. (3.59) (A.k.a: “Matilda´s Mother“).

3.Flaming. (2.46) (A.k.a: “Snowing“).

4.Scarecrow. (2.11) (A.k.a: “The scarecrow“).

5.Games To May. (2.54) (A.k.a: “See Emely Play“).

6.Bicycle. (1.53) (Alternate version).(A.k.a: “Bike“).

7.Arnold Layne. (2.56)

8.Candy And A Currant Bun. (2.09) (Unreleased alternate version).

Side B: (19.03)

1.Pow R. Toc H. (4.26)

2.Interstellar Overdrive. (10.00) (Unreleased alternate version).

3.Ending. (1.29) (Unreleased in this way).(Sound effects).

4.Lucifer Sam. (3.07). 

Syd Barrett – lead guitar,;acoustic guitar & vocals. Roger Waters – bass; slide whistle & vocals. Richard Wright – Farfisa; Combo Compact organ; piano;organ; pianet ; celesta; cello; harmonium &vocals. Nick Mason– drums, percussion.Peter Bown–engineering.  Norman Smith–production. Recorded 21 February – 21 May 1967. EMI Studios, London. 

The anecdote: Rick Wright created bubbles produced from a machine at the end of the show,, it was not a good idea because they spoiled the seats and the floor of the enclosure. As a consequence, 

Pink Floyd were banned from ever playing there again.Even so the concert was a success described by Nick Manson as the best they ever gave. A year later, much had changed for Pink Floyd. Barrett had fallen into a spiral of worsening mental illness brought on partly by overuse of LSD and was voted out of the band and replaced with guitarist David Gilmour. 

That´s all, for now. Enjoy It.

Photo: Cover inspired by the original drawings used in the concert poster.