Customer Reviews

Fraternity of Man

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Elliott Ingber was the original guitarist for the Mothers Of Invention, but nothing on the "Freak Out" album will have prepared you for his dazzling performance here. The band was very competent, but the real attraction is Ingber, jumping effortlessly from style to style. Those who missed the 60s will be amused and bemused by the lyrics, which are like something out of a head comic (remember those?) They're paranoid about the police and they love their marijuana, but it's all so exaggerated that they must be joking...mustn't they? These are the guys who gave us "Don't Bogart Me" ("don't bogart that joint, my friend, pass it over to me") and sung it like they meant it. For me the highlights are "Blue Guitar" and "Last Call For Alcohol." The former is as simple and as effective as handing off to Walter Payton; I especially like the way Ingber wastes 40 or 50 notes in a bar and a half, but not just to be flashy. And in the latter, he does a near-perfect imitation of steel guitar--if it weren't for one riff, I'd be sure it was a steel guitar. Imagine the Strawberry Alarm Clock, only stoned, versatile, and brilliant, and you've got Fraternity of Man. And if you want to hear someone do new things with a guitar, you have to have this CD.

THIS CD CAPTURES THE MUSIC FROM A SPECIAL MOMENT IN TIME DURING THE 1960'S. IF YOU LIKE TO HEAR THIS KIND OF PSYCEHDELIC ROCK MUSIC FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE 1960'S YOU WILL "DIG" THIS ALBUM. IT WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO ROLL UP A J, AFTER YOU HEAR "DON'T BOGART THAT JOINT", WHICH FEATURES SOME REALLY NICE PEDAL STEEL GUITAR, AND WAS MADE FAMOUS IN THE MOVIE EASY RIDER. THE LEAD GUITAR PLAYER, ELIOT INGBER, WAS THE ORIGINAL LEAD GUITAR PLAYER ON THE FIRST RECORDED MOTHERS OF INVENTION ALBUM, "FREAK OUT" (RIGHT AFTER HENRY VESTINE LEFT TO GO PLAY IN CANNED HEAT). AND THIS ALBUM FEATURES THE FIRST RECORDING OF THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION SONG "OH NO", WHICH WAS ON THE WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH ALBUM. ADMITTEDLY, SOMETIMES THIS MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE IT IS TAKING ITSELF A BIT TOO SERIOUSLY, EVEN WHEN IT ISN'T, BUT THAT WAS THE 60'S! HEAVY!

This CD isn't only technique - it's merry, a frolicing good time. Props to "Field Day", a song from the POV of cops busting an anti-war march in LA, turning it into a riot. "And if you're pregnant, I'll kick you. Because a pregnant one counts as two."

This band is just too good to be this obscure! Their brush with fame through the inclusion of Don't Bogart Me on the Easy Rider soundtrack didn't make this album the eagerly sought treasure it should be. In a year filled with brilliant albums (1968), this disc holds its own and ranks among that year's very best. This certainly has a distinct 60's sound and attitude and could be refered to as dated (in the best possible way), but the honesty and political commentary ring even more true today (sad to say), than when it was originally recorded.

Album opener, In The Morning, is the ultimate stoner anthem, a blast of killer 60's rock proclaiming before all this band's love of cannabis. The musicianship here (and everywhere) on this disc is excellent. After several dozen listens my respect only grows stronger. These guys were fresh from playing with people like Lowell George and Frank Zappa, both of whom had high standards.

The next cut, Plastic Rat, starts off in a psychedelic burst, then rolls into a wonderful, laid back, fuzz and keyboard driven blast from the past. The music reminds me of Fever Tree, but the lyrics are serious, political and still relevant. "There's a man who's getting stronger every day. He hates and wants to change me, and make me see his way. Is there really no place where you and I can go, where they won't tap the phone?"

Everyone reading this is no doubt familiar with Don't Bogart Me, the twangy C&W equivilant of the opening number, so no comment is needed, other than as band member Warren Klein stated on this site, that's the talents of the late Red Rhodes on pedal steel guitar (The Byrds, Mike Nesmith and too many others to list).

Stop Me Citate Me (track #4), is mellow rock with some Floyd Kramer style piano and psych elements. It's about police harassment of hippies. Handcuffing you to your car while they tear out your backseats, saving America from those who smoke the evil weed. This still happens a thousand times a day in this country where they go overseas and kill people in the name of "freedom".

Bikini Baby is a rockabilly parody all about a "pot party". The band just has a bit of fun after the depressing truth of the previous cut. In spite of opression, you can still have a good time.

Oh No! I Don't Belive It is dark heavy psych that reminds me of Iron Butterfly, Spirit and Amon Dull II. This one gets trippy. Fraternity Of Man proves beyond a doubt they're talented and creative musicians and deserve recocognition as a brilliant band, capable of playing a multitude of styles.

Wispy Paisley Sky is mellow, mostly accoustic psych in the style of what Donovan was doing at the time. This might remind you of Small Faces, Soft Machine, The Move and other British groups as well. Some find songs like this dated relics of the hippie era, but I love this yearning for a peaceful dreamy escape from stress and strife.

Field Day, while sang and performed in comedic fashion, is not a joke or exageration, as suggested by others. Unfortunately, incidents like this weren't rare in the United States of the 1960's, and still occur at times (remember the WTO protests in Seatle?). On a smaller scale, police brutality is an everyday occurance and as American as baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet.

Just Doin' Our Job follows the same basic theme but on a more personal level. Again the subject of police harassment of people who smoke marijuana pops up, but this time the cops are tearing up your house instead of your car. While searching for the evil weed, "one sorry cop said to me, 'He's just doin' his job, kickin' your door in, just doin' his job, kickin' you in.' The song ends with some Nazi marching music, the voice of Hitler and "we vas under orders!"

Most rock albums from this period have at least one blues cut, but Blue Guitar isn't generic filler. This is some down and dirty Memphis style blues, more along the lines of Booker T and the MGs than British or West Coast bands. Searing guitar leads and just fine playing by everybody. This is the only instrumental on the disc.

Last Call For Alcohol is another country number about smoking pot. The music is a little more in the style of Buck Owens this time around. The vocals are similar to Owens as well, though exagerated, as with Don't Bogart Me. While an obvious parody, this is still fine country music, further testament to the talent of this band. Again some great steel guitar from Mr. Rhodes (think Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, it's that good).

Candy Striped Lion's Tail is as psychedelic as the name implies. Some excellent tripped out dark, dreamy raga inspired music with lyrics about having your first LSD experience. "the valve to my mind is open wide". I'd reference the three bands I mentioned on track 6, among others. This is the real deal. Just because this group has a great sense of humor doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken seriously.

Fraternity Of Man is a genuine classic. This disc is still in my top 10 rotation after six months, and I'm not tired of it yet. If their follow up, Get It on, is even half as good, I'm gonna have a blast!