Oldish Psych and Prog

 

 

 

 

MEMORIANCE is a unique sounding French symphonic progressive band from the 1970s who released 2 albums and a 7" single.
Their debut album, "Et après", is a fine blend of styles, ranging from fellow French symphonic bands like Ange, Atoll and Carpe Diem, but also with a blend of Steve Hackett style guitar playing, as well as a hint of "Wish You Were Here", era Pink Floyd.
After their debut release, there were some line-up changes, with drummer, Didier Busson being replaced by Christopher Boulanger. Pascal Libergé came into the band as a keyboard player, alongside Jean-François Périer.
Their second release "L'Écume des jours d'après Boris Vian" is a concept album, based on the 1947 philosophical novel "L'Ecume des jours" (Froth on the Daydream), by Boris Vian.
It appears that in 1981, they released a single "Sparadrap/Telephone", but there seems to be no accompanying album.
MEMORIANCE's style on "Et Après", has somewhat of a jazz rock feel at times, but also prevalent is a strong bass sound, some luscious guitar playing (two lead guitars at times) - that is never outrageous - yet is skillfully played. There is also psychedelic rock moments, reminiscent of Pink Floyd, especially in the keyboard and guitar sounds. Overall, they're never over-the-top or heavy, but they always manage to stay interesting, due to their songs having several movements.
A relatively unknown and unique band, even in France, they have managed to record some excellent music and deserve to be heard. If you enjoy the ROGER WATERS era PINK FLOYD, ANGE, ATOLL, CARPE DIEM as well as other symphonic prog, you will enjoy MEMORIANCE. ~ James R. Yeowell
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuzz Acid & Flowers:
The McCoys formed as a trio in 1962 while the Zehringer brothers and Dennis Kelly were at high school in Fort Recovery, Indiana. They took their name from the Ventures 1960 rock instrumental 'B' side, The McCoy. However, in those early days they were also known as Rick and The Raiders and The Rick Z Combo. One 45, You Know That I Love You/What Can I Do (Sonic 76234) was released under the Rick and The Raiders name. Soon after keyboardist Ronnie Brandon was added to the original trio while Kelly left to go to college and was replaced by 17 year-old Randy Hobbs.
In July 1965 they signed to New York's Bang Records after opening for The Strangeloves at a gig in Dayton, Ohio. The Strangeloves (aka NYC record producers Feldman, Gottehrer, and Goldstein) had just cut a version of a little-known Bert Berns song My Girl Sloopy, which had been originally recorded by The Vibrations, and were performing it on tour to extremely positive audience response. Concerned however that former tour-mates, The Dave Clark Five, were planning to record their own version of the song, and hesitant to release an immediate followup to their present hit, I Want Candy, they decided to get Rick and The Raiders (now renamed The Real McCoys and then The McCoys) to record the number. Using the original Strangelove tracks, they overdubbed vocals from the McCoys and a guitar solo by Rick and rush-released the single to immediate success and the No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts.

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Ezhevika Fields:
Debut "Elgen Er Løs" is a powerful fusion album, that mixes in funky clavinet lines with some ferocious electric guitar leads, playing in an almost psychedelic style. Latter half of the album drifts towards more standard jazz / jazz-rock before closing with an acoustic guitar, piano piece.

1. Eber's Funk (6:49)
2. B.M. (11:43)
3. Flytende Øye (6:45)
4. Skakke Jens (5:56)
5. O Kjød (6:39)

Jon Eberson - guitars
Brynjulf Blix - electric piano, mini moog, clavinet
Sveinung Hovensjø - bass
Pål Thowsen - drums

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One of San Francisco's best loved bands, Moby Grape were formed in Marin County and soon attracted a large Bay Area following. Miller and Stevenson had previously played with Marsh Gas, an earlier Marin County outfit, and Lewis and Mosley with Joel Scott Hill and The Strangers. Newkirk had also played with Lewis in Peter and the Wolves. Lewis had also played in a surf band called The Cornells. Skip Spence, of course, had been the original drummer with Jefferson Airplane, but left the band because he wanted to play guitar. The band were soon offered a recording contract by Columbia and their classic first LP was issued in 1967. The album also contained a full colour poster of the band. However, the record company disasterously launched them in an unprecedented blaze of publicity and released the album's ten tracks as A or B sides of five singles simultaneously. There were some fine tracks on the album. Hard rockers like Hey Grandma and Omaha (complete with psychedelic intro) appear alongside laid back tracks like Someday, 8:05and Sitting By The Window. The group featured three lead guitarists and all sang. The end result was a structured album with diverse vocal harmonies and some fine interweaving acid guitar work. Sadly they were overexposed and both their album and singles sales were bitterly disappointing.

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