Genre: psyhc
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Thundertree
Company: Roulette
Catalog: SR-42038
Year: 1970
Country/State: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+
Comments: three inch split along top seam
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4
Price: $150.00
Cost: $66.00
We've always been
amazed at how many great (and often unknown) bands spring from Minnesota.
Must have something to do with the long, cold winters that force folks into
indoor activities ... That said, this is an album where the isolated reviews
we'd read really didn't say much of note - the effort was described as
likeable, but extremely rare. Not much to go on ...
Well we found a reasonably priced copy and here's what we think.
In terms of biographical information we know nothing about this outfit. From
the liner notes we know the line up consisted of guitarist Bill Hallquist,
drummer Rick IiaBraaten, keyboardist John Meisen, bass player Terry Tilley
and vocalist Dervin Wallin. We also know the album was recorded at UA
Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was produced by Meisen.
Musically 1970's "Thundertree"
was pretty impressive. Featuring all original material, tracks such as
"Head Embers", "Summertime Children" and "In the
Morning" (the latter including a great fuzz guitar solo), offered up an
attractive mix of psych and more rock oriented moves. Admittedly it wasn't
exactly earth shattering, and Wallin wasn't any great shakes as lead singer,
but his occasionally screechy voice was well suited to the band's guitar and
keyboard propelled repertoire. Highlights included "Dusty Road"
(always liked the stabbing organ and church chorus) and the side long suite
"1225" which powered by Hallquist's solo, starts out like a ton of
bricks. (By the way, it is a pretty rare LP. We've seen two copies in 20
years.)
"Thundertree" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Head Embers (Thundertree
- John Meisen) -
2.) At the Top of the Stairs (Thundertree - John Meisen) -
3.) Summertime Children (John Meisen) -
4.) In the Morning (Thundertree - John Meisen) -
5.) Dusty Road (Thundertree - John Meisen) -
6.) 1225 (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
(side 2)
1.) Alone I Am
(John Meisen - B. Blank) -
2.) Softly (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
3.) I Travel Alone (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
4.) Not Well Liked (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
5.) With a Tailored Image (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
6.) The Sun Is Shinin' for Me (John Meisen - B. Blank) -
Two years later Hallquist reappeared with an obscure solo effort (see
separate entry).