- Maury Baker - percussion, keyboards (1967)
- Warren Bernhardt - keyboards (1969)
- Sam Brown - guitar (replaced Giovanni Papalia) (1969)
- Wyatt Day - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1967-69)
- Bill Folwell - trumpet, bass, backing vocals (1967)
- Joe Hunt - drums, percussion (replaced Maury Baker)

  (1969)
- Art Koenig - bass (replaced John Pierson)(1969)
- Jimmy Owens - trumpet, cornet
- Giovanni Papalia - guitar (1967-)
- John Pierson - vocals, bass trombone (1967-)
- John Raskin - bass, guitar, backing vocals (1967-) 
  

- none known

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  ARS Nova

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS-5002

Year: 1967

Country/State: USA

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; minor ring wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 80

Price: $20.00

Cost: $1.00

Classically training musicians living and working in New York City, in 1967 drummer Maury Baker, guitarist Wyatt Day, bass Bill Folwell, guitarist Giovanni Papalia, vocalist/horn player John Pierson and bassist John Raskin decided their future (and their fortunes) lay in rock and roll. Several months of intense rehearsals and a series of well received concerts led to a deal with Elektra Records.

Teamed with Doors producer Paul Rothchild, the band's 1968 self-titled aptly debut displayed the sextet's virtuosity. Musically diverse, "ARS Nova" found the band equally at home with classical inspired ballads (the Baroque-influenced single "Pavan for My Love"), precursor Blood, Sweat and Tears horn arrangements ("General Clover Ends a War") and prototype heavy rock ("And How Am I To Know"). With Day providing the majority of material (much of it co-written with either Pierson or non-band member Gregory Copeland), the group's efforts to blend classical and rock elements was interesting, if occasionally a tad pretentious. Imagine a less bubble gummy version of The Left Banke and you'll get a feel for the set. Personal favorite, the popish single "Fields of People." In spite of decent reviews, including an extensive write-up in the June 1968 edition of Life, the set failed to sell. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.) 

"ARS Nova" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Pavane for My Lady (Wyatt Day) - 2:45
2.) General Clover Ends a War (Gregory Copeland - Wyatt Day) - 2:12
3.) And How Am I to Know (Wyatt Day) - 4:45
4.) Album in Your Mind (Wyatt Day - Jon Pierson) - 3:01
5.) Zarathustra (instrumental) - 3:30
(side 1)

1.) Fields of People (Wyatt Day - Jon Pierson) - 2:52
2.) Automatic Love (Wyatt Day) - 4:06
3.) I Wrapped Her in Ribbons (Gregory Copeland - Wyatt Day) - 2:18
4.) Song of the City (Gregory Copeland - Wyatt Day) - 2:08
5.) March of the Mad Dukes Circus (Gregory Copeland - Wyatt Day) - 3:17

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Sunshine and Shadows

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8221

Year: 1969

Country/State: USA

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: SOLD

GEMM catalog ID: SOLD

Price: SOLD - $20.00

In the wake of the album's release the band was torn apart by musical and personal disagreements. When things finally settled down, Day and Pierson stood as the only survivors. Supported by a brand new lineup consisting of keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, guitarist Sam Brown, drummer Joe Hunt, Art Koenig and horn player Jimmy Owens the revamped band signed with Atlantic. Released in mid-1969, "Sunshine and Shadows" found the band working with producer Arthur Gorson. With Day providing the majority of material (trumpet player Owens contributed the instrumental "You Had Better Listen"), numbers such as the title track, "I was Once" and "She Promises Everything" retained the band's "arty" leanings, though with less impressive results. Pastorial melodies, folkish harmonies and thoughtful lyrics made for a decent album, though stretched over most of the first side, it began to sound alike. "Well, Well, Well" was far better, if only due to the atypical rock tempo and Brown's screaming fuzz guitar solo. Another commercial nonentity, the collection vanished without a trace. (In case anyone cared, Jon Borgzinner, who had authored the earlier piece in Life, contributed the liner notes.) Shortly after it's release the group called it quits. (The collection was reissued on CD by the small Repertoire label in 1994.)

"Sunshine and Shadows" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Sunshine & Shadows (Wyatt Day - Gail Collins) - 3:02
2.) I was Once (Wyatt Day) - 2:57
3.) Temporary Serenade (Wyatt Day - Greg Copeland) - 3:00
4.) She Promises Everything (Wyatt Day - Gail Collins) - 3:18
(side 1)

1.) Well, Well, Well (Wyatt Day) - 2:55
2.) You Had Better Listen (instrumental) (Jimmy Owens) - 4:07
3.) Round Once Again (Wyatt Day) - 3:16
4.) Walk On the Sand (Wyatt Day) - 6:20
5.) Rubbish (Wyatt Day) - 3:28

10.) Please Don't Go (Wyatt Day) - 5:41