Genre: psych
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: First Rays
Company: Water Wheel
Catalog: WR 711
Year: 1978
Country/State: Winona, Minnesota
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5270
Price: $150.00
The first time I heard this Winona, Minnesota-based outfit I
mistook them for the mid-1970s Dead. ‘Course
I’d had a couple of beers that evening, but the lazy, stoned communal
vibe, the Garcia-styled twangy guitar, the Pulitzer Prize winning lyrics
(just kidding), all had me wondering which Dead album I was hearing.
So let that be a warning to any of you expecting to hear a much hyped
psych treasure …
Written and produced by namesake singer/guitarist Harlowe,
1978’s “First Ray” was
apparently a vanity project released on the band’s own Minneapolis-based
Waterwheel imprint. Judging by
these nine tracks, Harlowe and company weren’t the most accomplished band
you’ve ever heard. As lead singer Harlowe had a decent, if limited and
occasionally out of tune voice (check out his performance on ‘Cryin’
Shame’), while the band (including three guitarists) were competent, if
seldom awe inspiring. In spite
of the obvious Dead-influence, the album was actually quite diverse with
‘Earthy Delights’ and ‘Cryin’ Shame’ featuring modestly discordant
jazzy feels (maybe it was just too many drugs), ’My Lucky Star’ found
the group taking a stab at country-rock, ‘Some Sweet Day’ was an attempt
at being commercial (I’m using a broad definition here), and ‘Danny’s
Blues’ offered up an entertaining set of stoned bar band blues before
degenerating into a weird Allmans-styled jam segment where each member
appeared to be playing a different tune.
Technically labeling this an aural disaster wouldn’t be that far
off. Ironically, while that
description wouldn’t exactly be a ringing endorsement, the band’s
earnest, if highly stoned approach tended to grow on you.
After a couple of spins you became acclimated to the set’s
low-keyed, amateurish charm. Imagine your teenager playing in a local band (hopefully not
as chemically impaired) and you’ll get a feeling as to what to expect.
Standout track in terms of material, stoned effects and performance
was the rocking closer ‘Getting Keyed’.
Bet they were fun to see in a small club …
"First
Rays" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Go Ahead and Dance
(Ray Harlowe) – 4:10
2.) Be Away (Ray
Harlowe) – 3:00
3.) Earthy Delights
(Ray Harlowe) – 3:29
4.) Danny’s Blues (Ray Harlowe) – 4:48
(side
2)
1.) Cryin’ Shame (Ray
Harlowe) – 4:31
2.) Run (Ray
Harlowe) – 2:37
3.) Some Sweet Day
(Ray Harlowe) – 4:28
4.) My Luck Star (Ray
Harlowe) – 2:25
5.) Gettin’ Keyed
(Ray Harlowe) – 6:23
Hopefully someone else out there can explain the connection
… I originally thought ‘Gyp
Fox’ referred to the name of Harlowe’s backing band.
Turns out it referred to a guitarist by the same name who played on
an album entitled “Ghostdance” (Root River Records catalog number 999)
with James Dean Hall and Chuck Musselman. Anyone
got the story?
