The Fool "The Fool...plus" 1969**

Even though The Fool's -let's face it- neglectable music output hasn't earned them a place in history, they'll be remembered as a footnote in pop music's most well-read chapter, that of The Beatles. Simon Posthuma and Marijke Kooger were a couple of Amsterdam hippie artists who dabbled in a bit of everything: clothes design, painting, photography... you name it. They felt the allure of Swinging London calling and relocated there, forming art collective The Fool (named after a tarot card) together with friends Josje Leeger and Barry Finch. Their psychedelic designs with their imaginative use of colour and fairy tale references became instant hits, and they soon began designing record covers and dressing the city's hippest artists and models. The Beatles were fans, and immediately hired them to decorate, paint and run their official boutique on Baker Street. Having so many musician friends, and after trying their hand on a number of arts, they turned to music as their next project. They flew to New York and produced this album with the help of two Grahams (producer Nash and organist Bond). It's actually during reading a recent piece on the latter that I decided to re-listen this CD. It described The Fool's record as "the worst album ever associated with Graham Bond", which made me return to this album to check if it really is that bad. It certainly is a weird slice of acid folk that stands better as a period piece than as a listening experience. The music is quirky and childish but in tandem with the psychedelic cover and colorful costumes, it gives off a certain feelgood charm. You're often reminded of Incredible String Band, another kooky psychedelic folk band whose album cover was designed by The Fool. The LP opens with "Fly", a playful minstrel tune with choral lead vocals, flutes and tambourines augmented by the sound of chirping birds and other special effects. "Voice on the Wind" introduces itself as a piano sonata, turns into a ballad, then into a recitation followed by some chanting and a bagpipe solo. Every bit stands well enough on its own, but the finished song... what a mess! The bagpipes continue into lead single "Rainbow Man", the most rocking song with its Bo Diddley beat and mean harmonica - but doesn't it sound suspiciously similar to The Creation's "Painter Man"?

"Cry for Me" is an old-timey ballad/lullaby and "No One Will Ever Know" an upbeat number with the odd charm of children's' songs where Josje and Marijke sound like 13-year olds. "Reincarnation" is a horrid combination of nursery rhyme and hare krishna music and "Hello Little Sister" is where the kindergarten schtick really starts to get on your nerves. Thankfully it's followed by a "Keep On Pushin", a psych-jazz instrumental where Bond's swinging organ and sax blend well with (probably Nash's) harmonica, bagpipes, and percussive instruments. "Inside Your Mind" is another whimsical singalong folk ditty and "Lay It Down" the only bona fide psychedelic folk ballad, reminiscent of Country Joe & The Fish. The CD is augmented by two bonus tracks (the "plus" of the title). Of those, "We Are One" is a nice mod psychedelic track that reminds me of John's Children and Nirvana (the UK group of the 60's of course, not the same-named grunge giants) while "Shining Light" is another cute childish jug band tune. At times entertaining and infuriating in its weirdness, in the end I guess your reaction to it will depend on what mood listening to this album finds you in. Only delve into it if you're feeling nostalgia for 60's flower children or your (slightly less naive) kindergarten days.

*** for Fly, No One Will Ever Know, Keep On Pushin', Inside Your Mind, Lay It Down,We Are One, Shining Light

** for Voice on the Wind, Rainbow Man, Cry for Me, Reincarnation, Hello Little Sister