According to the album liner notes "the sound and atmosphere (of psychedelia) is something peculiarly English, with light, whimsical melodies, child-like or surreal images, and production techniques bubbling with innovation". As a definition this leaves a lot be desired (let's start with the fact that psychedelic rock was mainly an
American phenomenon), but as a description of the music in this CD, it's spot-on. The compilation wisely gathers both famous and unknown psychedelic gems recorded at London's Abbey Road studios between 1965 and 1969. The most famous bands that would fit the description (The Beatles and Pink Floyd) are absent, though we
do get a solo recording by Syd Barrett (the fragile ballad "Golden Hair") and a proto-prog cover of The Fab Four's "Hey Bulldog" by The
Gods (featuring future members of Uriah Heep). Among the best known tracks here are Donovan's folk/sunshine pop masterpieces "Sunshine Superman" and "
Sunny South Kensington" (and they say that England is a rainy place!). The Hollies are the second big name here, and from them we get the psych-pop single "King Midas in Reverse" with bright harmonies and Sgt.Pepper-like instrumentation, as well the lesser known sitar ballad "The Maker". Tomorrow were a more convincingly psychedelic band of the time."My White Bicycle" a song similar to early Floyd singles in its mix of pop melody and weird psychedelic effects, as well as a previously unreleased cover of The Byrds' "Why" featuring a great solo by
future Yes guitarist Steve Howe. Post break-up, Tomorrow's rhythm section Twink and Junior released single "10,000 Words On A Cardboard Box". It was suitably psychedelic, if somewhat overproduced by Mark Wirtz who also appears here leading his own band on "Weatherman". "10,000 Years Behind My Mind
" by the Focus Three has a soul lead vocal and a chorus straight from the musical "Hair" - speaking of musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber produced 1967 single "Monday Morning" by the Tales Of Justine, a nice piece of acid-folk. Generally the compilation focuses on the lighter/orchestral side of psychedelia which I'd find less interesting if it wasn't for small details like the fast harpsichord solo on
The Fingers' "Circus with a Female Clown". Even bona-fide rock bands like The Pretty Things are represented by their poppier songs of the era. "Mr. Armegeddon" (Locomotive) and "Strange Walking Man" (Mandrake Paddlesteamer) are the most interesting (and most experimental) of the rarities, while The N'Betweens' previously unreleased "Delighted to See You" is notable mainly because the band would go on to become 70's hitmakers Slade.
Simon Dupree & the Big Sound's "Kites" is the height of orchestral psychedelia, featuring mellotron and romantic vocals as well as spoken word interlude by actress Jacqui Chan in Chinese. The Big Sound's Shulman brothers would go on to form prog band
Gentle Giant, though not before releasing a single (included here) mixing psychedelic guitars and effects with folk shanties under the moniker of The Moles. At 22 tracks and 77 minutes, this CD offers a good mix of British pop psychedelic sounds, including classics and rarities. I realise now that many of the tracks also feature on an
LP I have called "The British Psychedelic Trip vol.2". Probably a more interesting proposition for those who love psychedelia. I hope I'll get around to present that one, too, in time...
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