Gathering of Promises

Bubble Puppy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B000000865
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,368 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hot Smoke and Sasafrass

2. Todd's Tune

3. I've Got to Reach You

4. Lonely

5. A Gathering of Promises

6. Hurry Sundown

7. Elizabeth

8. It's Safe to Say

9. Road to St. Stephen's

10. Beginning

Editorial Reviews

In 1969, Texas acid-psych warlords the Bubble Puppy burst onto the U.S. Top 20 with "Hot Smoke and Sasafrass," the slashing, frenzied 2:33 freakout that kicks off the band's brain-bending debut, A Gathering of Promises. Signed to Houston's legendary International Artists imprint, the foursome were label mates of such hallowed acts as the 13th Floor Elevators and the Red Krayola. But A Gathering of Promises, the group's sole International Artists album, stands out from the rest' of the roster with its rich vocal harmonies and heavier, Cream/Hendrix/Who sound.

Descended from Corpus Christi garage kings the Bad Seeds, the Bubble Puppy's tripped out calling card was its combination of soaring, fuzz-drenched guitars, frantic drumming, stop-on-a-dime arrangements, and tight, graceful harmonies. The Bubble Puppy may have been a one-hit wonder (and what a hit!) but after a trip through the manic "Lonely," the cryptically twisting "I've Got to Reach You," and the majestic, guitar-searing "Hurry Sundown," any psych fan will be left scratching their head and wondering why--if they still have a head to scratch, that is. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Album Remastered With Bonus Tracks!, June 5, 2004

By 

highway_star (Hallandale, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gathering of Promises (Audio CD)

Bubble Puppy had a smash hit in 1969 with "Hot Smoke And Sassafras" which was a rock track loaded with smokin' guitars and excellent harmonizing. This album (rather cd), re-issued again on cd (originally released on Collector's Choice) on Fuel 2000 Records is remastered and includes eight bonus tracks. The songs are a combination of melodic rockers such as the above mentioned hit "Hot Smoke And Sassatras", "I've Got To Reach You", "Todd's Tune", "Lonely", "Elizabeth" and "Beginnings". But the album also highlight's Bubble Puppy's ability to write some well crafted slower songs such as the title track "A Gathering Of Promises", and "It's safe To Say". The bonus tracks are mono versions of "Hot Smoke And Sassafras" , "Lonely", "If I Had A Reason", "Beginning", "Days Of Our Time", "Thinkin' About Thinkin'", "What Do You See" and "Hurry Sundown". A great cd for those who enjoy listening to late sixties rock such as "Quicksilver Messenger Service", "Mountain", "The Nazz" and "Crow", etc.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Package Bad Sound, July 27, 2006

By 

T. Horsefat (Napa CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gathering of Promises (Spec) (Audio CD)

This is the fourth CD version of this clasic album that I've experienced. While not the worst, it is a far cry from the best. The elegant packaging does not change the sad fact that whats inside is the same crappy material previously issued by Charley. This is a great album and deserves better treatment, as do would-be consumers. If you can find it, seek out the out-of-print version on Fuel 2000. It is the best. The sound is as full, crisp, and clear as it is likely to get. Plus, there are 8 extra tracks and good liner notes.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The First Dual Lead Guitar Bands, May 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gathering of Promises (Audio CD)

This was one of the first dual lead guitar bands in the history of rock. (The other two that come to mind were The Yardbirds and Wishbone Ash.) Rod Prince had a more raw and slightly processed sound and Todd Potter who had a more cleaner approach. Todd's Tune is a personal anthem of the musican's love of his music and is really a piece that should not be overlooked. Starting as a ballad and then growing more intense as if the realization of his musical conviction has been absolutely affirmed. Bubble Puppy was very versatile and is one of the early Austin based bands that put that city on America's Musical Map. (Others were Johnny Winter, Shivas Headband, playing at clubs along the Colorado River, downtown and at Armadillo World Headquarters). David Fore on drums was a fierce drummer on stage and Roy Cox on bass and vocals were a solid backbone to the vast variety of musical styles they were so capable of playing. "Gathering of Promises","Hurry Sundown" & "It's Safe To Say" are slow ballads with a carefully handled folk-country influence. "I've Got To Reach You" begins that way but builds into raw energy in a instrumental flury. "Elizabeth" you can hear Prince's Persian sounding guitar riff. "Lonely" and the nationwide hit, "Hot Smoke and Sasafrass just plain cook. Many great Texas bands of the late 1960's and early 70's did not get quality recordings and this is one. But the music is so good it hardly matters. By the way, Bubble Puppy went to L. A. and recorded another lp under the name of Demian. And about 1990 they got together again and released another one but you might have to go to Antone's Record Shop in Austin to get it.Later on Roy Cox did more of the vocal work but on this lp there was some terrific harmonies. When San Antonio had Hemisfair and clubs like the Pussycat and Love Street were everywhere, I tried to never miss these guys. They had fun and were intense. Hope they are all doing well these days