Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: A Giant Crab Comes Forth
Company: Uni
Catalog: 73037
Year: 1968
Country/State: Santa Barbara, CA
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4
Price: $30.00
Cost: $1.00
Santa Barbara, California's A Giant Crab Comes Forth featured the talents of siblings Ernie (vocals and guitar), Raymond (bass) and Ruben (drums) Oroscoe. With the line up rounded out by Dennis (drums) and Kenny (keyboards) Fricia, the group began playing local dances and clubs, eventually finding a mentor in local DJ Johnny Fairchild. With support from Fairchild the group debuted with a series of three little heard singles on the local Corby label:
- 1967's "Listen Girl" b/w "Summer Breezes" (Corby catalog number CR-216)
- 1967's "Day By Day (It Happens)" b/w "Kind of Funny" (Corby catalog number
CR-217)
- 1967's "It Started with a Little Kiss" b/w "The Answer Is No" (Corby catalog
number CR-221)
While the singles
failed to sell, outside of Southern California, they attracted the attention
of Uni Records, which promptly signed the quintet to a recording contract.
Produced by Bill Holmes, 1968's "A Giant
Crab Comes Forth" offered up an engaging mixture of
Rascals-styled blue-eyed soul with occasional psychedelic influences. As
lead singer/prime writer, Ernie displayed a knack for penning highly
commercial material. With the exception of the leadoff narrative
(apparently meant as a way of thanking mentor Fairchild), virtually any of
the 16 tracks would have made a dandy single. Highlights included a
reworking of the earlier single "It Started with a Little Kiss",
"Watch Your Soul", "Enjoy It", "Lydia Purple"
and the heavy metal "Hot Line Conversation". That wasn't to say
the set was perfect in that the band's penchant for incorporating happening
sounds was annoying. Elsewhere their out-of-tune cover of Joey
Levine's "I Enjoy Being a Boy" was thoroughly irritating. Sadly
the collection vanished without a trace.
"A Giant Crab Comes Forth" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) A Giant Crab
Comes Forth (Johnny Fairchild - Bill Holmes) - 2:18
2.) It Started with a Little Kiss (Ernie Oroscoe) - 2:30
3.) Directions (Ernie Oroscoe) - 3:03
4.) Watch Your Step (Ernie Oroscoe) - 2:37
5.) Intensify Your Soul (Ernie Oroscoe - Ruben Oroscoe) - 2:30
6.) Enjoy It (S. English - C. Ogerman) - 2:04
7.) Hot Line Conversation (Ernie Oroscoe) - 3:00
8.) I Enjoy Being a Boy (Joey Levine - M. Bellack) - 2:45
(side 2)
1.) Lydia Purple
(D. Dorin - T. McCashen) - 2:42
2.) Groovy Towne (Ernie Oroscoe - Bill Holmes) - 2:37
3.) Thru the Fields (Ernie Oroscoe - Bill Holmes) - 2:39
4.) The Chance You Take (Ernie Oroscoe) - 2:44
5.) Believe It or Not (Ernie Oroscoe) - 2:54
6.) The Answer Is No (Ernie Oroscoe) - 2:59
7.) HI Ho Silver Lining (S. English - L. Weiss) - 2:30
7.) Why Am I So Proud? (Ernie Oroscoe - R. Oroscoe) - 4:07
