Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Crystal Blue Persuasion and Other Sounds of Today
Company: Somerset
Catalog: SF-34000
Year: 1969
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4608
Price: $75.00
Cost: $28.50
Anyone looking through my catalog will see that I'm a fan of the weird expolito psych LPs such as The Animated Egg, California Poppy Pickers, John Bunyan's Progressive Pilgrims, The Firebirds, and T. Swift & the Electric Bag. Add to that list this 1969 outing by The Orange Groove.
Released by the L.A. based Somerset label which was apparently part of Alshire Records, 1969's "Crystal Blue Persuasion and Other Sounds of Today" is actually a little different from other exploito albums in that nine of the ten tracks are uncredited originals. Like other exploito offerings, the set is anonymous - generic packaging with no performance or writing credits. It was clearly conceived as a throwaway product aimed at wringing disposable income out of unknowing consumers. That said, the title track is a rote cover of the Tommy James hit, while the nine originals all exhibit a goofy, low-tech charm. Exemplified by material like 'Down Home Baby', 'Sockerina' and 'Poppy's To Be Picked' about half of the tracks are throwaway, keyboard propelled instrumentals. Far more interesting are psych-ish numbers like 'Can't You See I'm Right', the fuzz guitar propelled 'Troubled People' and 'Street King' (the latter sounding like The Chipmunks on a bad acid trip). Love to know what 'Land of Fusan' is about ... swamp-rock meets Korea?
"Crystal Blue Persuasion and Other Sounds of Today" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Crystal Blue Persuasion
2.) A Bad Trip Back To '69 (instrumental) -
3.) Can't You See I'm Right
4.) Down Home Baby (instrumental) -
5.) Street King
(side
2)
1.) Sockerina (instrumental) -
2.) Land of Fusan
3.) Poppy's To Be Picked (instrumental) -
4.) Troubled People
5.) More Than Now