The Cycle Is Complete

Bruce Palmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B000095JV1
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,916 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Neil Young has the reputation of being the Buffalo Springfield’s resident eccentric, but the group’s real wildcard was bassist Bruce Palmer. Forced to leave the band after a drug bust, Palmer had a groove (both on bass and in life) all his own, a groove that comes through loud and clear on this, his only solo album, cut for Verve Forecast in 1971. This is easily one of the most ambitious releases of the late ’60s and early ’70s (a tall claim indeed); consisting of only four tracks, 'Alpha-Omega-Apocalypse; Interlude; OXO, and Calm before the Storm, The Cycle Is Complete' blends psychedelic trance jams with world music and even free jazz to create a vibe that’s oh, about two or three decades ahead of its time—this stuff predates new age, trip-hop and two or three other related contemporary musical currents. And yet, it definitely retains its exploratory, psychedelic ’60s spirit, which places this record near the top of many ’60s rock fans’ cult classic want lists! . Our exclusive 'Collectors’ Choice Music' release includes new notes by Richie Unterberger that give some background on Palmer as well as on some of the musicians (vocalist Rick Mathews; percussionist Danny Ray a.k.a. Big Black) that went along for this wild ride. A gotta-check-it-out 'Collectors’ Choice Music' exclusive!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like experimental music, it's a great album., September 4, 2005

By 

Urashima Taro (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cycle Is Complete (Audio CD)

I guess my opinion about this CD is different because my background is different. I was never a fan of the Buffalo Springfield, but I have known "The Cycle is Complete" since it came out because I like experimental music, and back then the record was legendary among us.

It's only natural that if you like the Buffalo Springfield you will be disappointed by this CD: it's nothing like the BS.
But if you, like me, like instrumental music, progressive music, this is a gem you can't miss, extremely enjoyable and fun.
I used to have the record, now I have the CD. I am happy.

And by the way, greyhoundude quotes Bruce Palmer out of context, distorting the meaning of what he says.
Verve expected a commercial record because the demos Palmer gave them were. But then "I gave them what I thought music was all about, not what they thought music was all about. That was what I intended to do. They released it and I retired. I had a laugh at the industry's expense. I did that album and just had enough of the music business. I was seeing my friends turning into beets. Is this what I want to do? Is this what happened to music?".

"Do not criticize what you don't understand."
- Bob Dylan

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experimental? YES! A waste??? NO WAY!!!!!, January 7, 2009

By 

CMW-Tzvi "Tzvi" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cycle Is Complete (Audio CD)

As the product review notes, this album by Buffalo Springfield's eccentric bassist Bruce Palmer "is easily one of the most ambitious releases of the late '60s and early '70s". That's saying a lot, considering that so much experimental and avant-garde work was being created at the time (remember Yoko Ono??).

Bruce takes you out of your world & into his, something most listeners are not really ready for even today, so imagine how few were ready for it in 1971!!

As the product description indicates, this is a "cult classic" utilizing many different styles and creating some others WAY BEFORE the music world was ready for it ("two or three decades ahead of its time-- this stuff predates new age, trip-hop and two or three other related contemporary musical currents" as the product description notes).

IF THESE ARE NOT STYLES YOU CARE FOR, THEN STEER CLEAR OF EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC!! (DON'T CLUTTER REVIEWS WITH NASTY PUT DOWNS.) If on the other hand, you are more adventurous, GRAB THIS NOW!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Like the original vinyl, December 17, 2006

By 

Eckhard Voelker (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cycle Is Complete (Audio CD)

The disc contains 4 tracks, three of which are not identical with the original vinyl release on Verve. It seems as if totally different mixes (if not demos) were used for this CD reissue.