Customer Reviews

Gathering of Promises

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

"A Gathering of Promises" the 1969 release from Bubble Puppy should have been what the titled inferred. The band had tremendous potential and when the opening track on the LP called, "Hot Smoke And Sassafras" hit the American singles charts (Top 20) their popularity outside of Texas should have taken a major foothold.

International Artists Records their label may not have had the distribution or the resources to promote the band to maximum lengths. The 13th Floor Elevators were part of the psychedelic/rock inventory of the Texas label as well.

While many have not had the pleasure to experience the sounds of Bubble Puppy excluding the single with the addition of the bonus tracks it has never been a better time to explore the band. Make sure if you purchase the CD it is the eighteen track edition with the eight mono single mixes.

"Hot Smoke And Sassafras" is always thought of as a powerhouse track with solid guitar. It most definitely is. Overlooked is the terrific vocal that blends with the instrumentation. One of those rare breeds that can satisfy the consumer that buys hit singles and the collector of albums.

"I've Got To Reach You" takes a bit of the Beatles, adds the flavor of the Bee Gees and incorporates the solid vocals of Bubble Puppy.

"Lonely" is a hybrid psychedelic and straight in your face rock and roll number. It is considered one of the strongest cuts available from the band.

"Hurry Sundown" has vocal images of the Moody Blues. Bubble Puppy can enter any musical sandbox and play well together.

"Beginning" is actually the final composition on the record. Mixing well-delivered vocals with the stereotypical majestic guitar sounds of the 1960's the final track leaves you the same as after the first, wanting a whole lot more. Thanks to the reissue with the mono mixes of album and non- album singles there will be a myriad of tunes for you to experience.

If you enjoy Bubble Puppy check out their roots, found in the band Bad Seeds.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

In the sixties, I had a tendency to pick up albums based on the photo of the band, not what I thought I knew about their music. I pretty much hated pop music so looked for the underground bands. The longer the hair, the uglier, the weirdest dressed, that was my incentive. The Bubble Puppy were dressed weird. Not particularly ugly, their costumes were enough to fork over my hard earned dollar something for their album.

I heard Hot Smoke and Sassafras on the radio without realizing who they were until I bought the album. The song that really blew me away though, was Lonely. That guitar solo was the most awesome guitar prowess I had ever heard up to that time. It inspired me to play better guitar, but today I still cannot play it! I have a lot of respect for Rod Prince on that one. The influences on the album are plenty from hard rock to psychedelic, to tinges of country. It is a weird combination that makes them groundbreaking from my perspective. It disgusts me that they are not ever mentioned in the typical history of rock and roll books. Of course, to me most of the other really good bands never were either.

There is not a dud song on the whole album. The intricate guitar interplay between Rod Prince and Todd Potter adds little details that make the music interesting and very listenable. These guys were the best and never saw the credit they deserved. It is another one of my classic albums that I have worn out. I was really excited to finally find the CD. Though the CD is adequate, it is poorly done and on one song, they seem to have lost the speed regulator on the tape machine. Yet, the essence of the album, the songs, are still there. Boy were they good! What really rubs this whole thing wrong is that the band has probably not seen a dime from the CD. They were a classic case of a band being ripped off by their record company and management.

This is an essential album for anyone out to get to the "real" roots of modern rock and roll and is well worth the time to seek out. The CD version, though flawed, still displays their immense talent. By the way, the original LP is a collectors' item and can fetch more than a hundred bucks if it is in pristine condition. If only I bought two, so I could have saved one for the investment!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this album. I knew "Hot Smoke and Sassafras" was a great tune, but thinking of my experience with many of the one hit wonder records of the genre, I had low expectations. This album is very solid and should have been a great party album for its time. Very reminiscent of Love especially their post "Forever Changes" period. Buy it if you are into that kind of thing or if you just like "Hot Smoke". The rest of the album supports it very well. Some of the bonus tracks kick butt too!

Not all the hot bands came from the west coast as evidenced by this recording and is a great place to begin enjoying the music from what I consider the most creative era in music. There were any number of outstanding bands that rose to the top of the music scene and Puppy was right up there with the 13th Floor Elevators,Fever Tree, Clear Light, and Spirit.Rod and the boys took off the blinders when it came to experimenting with style and technique. I recently recieved an e-mail from Rod with news of his unveiling a very special project this August so keep your eyes and ears peeled.Puppy was another victim of greedy record labels and management and very likely didn't make the money or recieve the recognition they deserved. Interest in 60's music is growing every day so maybe the Puppy will grow into a "mad dog." Hope so.

and i thought THEY were the first to do intricate 2 guitar harmonies ....but i got this Bubble Puppy.....and there they were, sounding like Ted and Andy, only SEVERAL years before the ash.This is a GREAT CD . especially since they were in the era of cheeeeesy pyschodelia...."I've got to find you" is a great song....carries over well into today.WELL WORTH A LISTEN !

I bought this after hearing "Hot Smoke" on the Nuggets box and finding it in the neighborhood indy record store. However, as another reviewer noted, the Collectables remaster has some MAJOR pitch/speed issues. At first I thought it was just a 'trippy' effect, but after listening to it many times I'm pretty sure it is an error in the mastering. I like the album enough to try again but I'm going with a different labels edition.

This was a great album from the late 60's. Excellent guitar work and good harmonies. To me it's sounds a lot like Cream. However, I purchased the Collectables CD and it sounds like they recorded it from a old cassette using a microphone. A much better choice is the import from Eva.