Genre: psych/blues
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Farm
Company: Crusade Enterprises
Catalog: LP 465
Year: 1971
Country/State: Illinois
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: initials "JDJ" on top right corner of front cover; minor ring wear
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 2537
Price: $350.00
Cost: $59.55
For what it's worth, my experience is that a lot of hyped, high-priced rarities are nowhere near as good as dealers would have you believe. This is one of those releases that falls somewhere in the middle ground - not the masterpiece dealers would have you believe, but several notches above the rank and file competition. That said, wish I could tell you more about this early-1970s' Illinois-based sextet.
The line up consisted of bassist Jim Elwyn, percussionist Steve Evanchik, singer/guitarist Gary Gordon, keyboard player Roger Greenwalt, guitarist Del Herbert and drummer Mike Young. I also know that their 1971 debut "Farm" was recorded at Golden Voice Studios in South Perkin, Illinois and was limited to a 500 copy pressing. Featuring largely original material, the set's fairly varied. The opening instrumental 'Jungle Song' and 'Sunshine In My Window' are both strong guitar-propelled numbers that sound heavily influenced by both The Allman Brothers and Santana. Elsewhere, 'Cottonfield Woman' was a nice slice of blues-rock, while as you'd probably expect from the title 'Let the Boy Boogie' and a cover of 'Statesboro Blues' were okay slices of boogie. (Quoting from the liner notes - "Many thanks to George Leeman, our friend and spiritual guide" - anyone know who Leeman is?)
"Farm" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Jungle Song (instrumental) (The Farm) - 7:45
2.) Let That Boy Boogie (The Farm) - 7:13
(side 2)
1.) Sunshine In My Window (The Farm) - 3:47
2.) Cottonfield Woman (The Farm) - 3:57
3.) Statesboro Blues - 3:24
This LP seems to be the extent of their recording career, though in case anyone cares, a couple of the band members reappeared providing support to Gene Hood on his 1980 album "Out of the Clouds".
Thanks to drummer Mike Young for letting be know that I wasn't quite right with my career summation:
"As far as the end of our recording career, you are mostly correct. All original members did re-record these same tunes in a 90's style a few years ago but never released it. We do have that option given it was recorded in one the member's own studio. It is a totally different flare to the same tunes. Actually, we never could catch the true "hype" of the band in the studio but did very well at holding our own with bands such as Canned Heat--and not the remake floating around now.
Mike Young (February 2004)
P.S. Yes we are all still alive and kicking in Southern Illinois except for George who is in California."
Mike Young recently dropped me an update:
The original members of Farm have been practicing and will do a reunion concert this year. The week after Labor Day weekend is the target date at this time. We did just have the original LP digitally remastered and put on CD in Nashville and have been selling those locally. There is a website up and running --- not ours officially but a guy locally has been playing with it and doing the work on it. It's not a professional job but he is getting better. :)
We still never did anything with the songs we re-recorded in 95. Mike Young
Mike Young (April 2007)