Customer Reviews

Part One

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A bunch of seventeen-year-olds made a first record. At times they sounded a like the Byrds, a little like the Beatles, Moby Grape, the Charlatans, the Chocolate Watchband, and so on. They were very inventive, solidly in the rock category, as their name would seem to indicate, very progressive. I always worried their sound was going to be kind of cold, so never bought their albums until 15-20 years after their 'heyday'. I was wrong. Actually, their music comes off warm and friendly, even when the mood may be sad, dark, etc.

Note that the "old" guy in the band [early 30's or so] didn't play an instrument, and in fact, was tone-deaf. The only reason he was in the band was because he was independently wealthy, and so paid for all the equipment; what he got in return was the new [for him] ability to "impress chicks". He stood in front of the band at performances, shaking a tambourine with his vocal microphone turned off. Moreover, any band member who was out of favor with him at the time of a new release wouldn't have their picture on the album cover. Ultimately, he was responsible for the band's breakup by driving the others crazy with his power trips.

"Shifting Sands" The album starts out with a bang, and I don't mean a noisy one. Poetic, moody song about one whom is 'born to wander'. Interesting when juxtaposed with the opening cut from their third album. [5 stars]

"I Won't Hurt You" Pretty, moody, moving song about innocence, love and protection. Check out the percussive use of guitar "chukkas" in place of the drum kit. [5 stars]

"1906" Hollies-style vocal harmonies with a spoken lead vocal, which is however mixed rather poorly (the lead needs to assert itself more in the mix, not be so subordinate to the backing tracks). The subject of the 'discourse' is somewhat of a surreal complaint. Has a long middle-eastern sounding bridge section. [5 stars].

"Help, I'm a Rock": Not many people would deign to cover a Mothers of Invention tune, but the youngsters [the Mothers used to open for them at gigs] did a very palatable job, all things considered. Very tastefully done. [5 stars]

"Will You Walk With Me?" Textually, continues along a rather similar tack as "I Won't Hurt You". [4 stars]

"Transparent Day" Lead vocal pans back and forth from left to right (phrase by phrase). But it's mixed rather poorly to the point of being annoying--at times one of the phrases is just too soft compared with the rest of the mix. This is regrettable as, otherwise, this is one of the strongest compositions on the album. The singer is not at fault . . . it's really an engineering problem. [5 stars nevertheless]

"Leiyla" The boys revert to a somewhat more blasé genre, but pull if off with typical youthful verve. Smack in the middle, the song seems to be fading out as a new song begins, which is an acoustic guitar solo in the style of Elizabethan (early 17th century English) lute music. But, that in turn fades out [was it an episodic music lesson, part of the story?] and Leiyla fades back up and continues for several more minutes. [4 stars]

"Here's Where You Belong" This one is folk rock á la Byrds, and as good or better than anything McGuinn and company did during the period prior to 'The Notorious Byrd Brothers'. This would have been a monster seller had it been recorded/released as a single, a year or so before. [5 stars]

"If You Want This Love of Mine" Continuing in a similar vein, though much closer to the Charlatans, or even a soft version of the Chocolate Watchband, than to the Byrds. Terrific country rock solo at the bridge. [5 stars]

""Scuse Me, Miss Rose" More rather blasé stuff, this time unredeemed. [2½ stars]

"High Coin" Electrified (though barely) country folk blues instrumental. Gorgeous little number; great closing piece!
[5 stars]

This band was made up of a bunch of kids, one of whom, Michael Lloyd went on to produce records for The Osmonds and Shaun Cassidy(and put together the Dirty Dancing soundtrack) and one Bob Markley, a tone-deaf millionare in his 30s who thought being in a rock band would help him get chicks. There are some instant classics on this album like "Transparent Day", "I Won't Hurt You" that make the album a must-buy for anyone interested in 60s music, as well as a cover of The Mother's "Help I'm a Rock."

Originally released in 1967, this was the 'zany psychedelic' band's first out of five albums. This 'Part One' by WCPAEB is better than what I had expected. Tracks that make this CD reissue a true keeper are "I Won't Hurt You", their Frank Zappa cover "Help,I'm A Rock", the REALLY strange "Leiyla", the innocent-sounding "Here's Where You Belong", "Scuse Me,Miss Rose" and the instrumental "High Coin". What a great trip! Line-up: Kenny Bobo-vocals, Michael Lloyd-guitar, Shawn Harris-bass&vocals, Dan Harris and Ron Morgan-guitars and Hal Blaine-drums. Should appeal to fans of Moby Grape, Skip Spence, early Zappa, Bow Street Runners and maybe H.P.Lovecraft. Recommended.

I can imagine a songwriting class in which students are told any lyric with "rainbow' in it is probably doomed. The occurence of the word "lightning" is probably also a bad sign. And yet, WCPAEB comes up with "My rainbow, how good it is to feel your lightning", and the lyric is sublime.

This first Reprise effort of the WCPAEB, was an excellent example of the Era that was to follow, "The Psychedelic 60's". As the Members have ascertained, it wasn't the product of drug use, but an Art Form of free expression, at a time when innocence had not yet been lost. The Guitar work of Ron Morgan is ageless, as well as ahead of it's time. It has caught the attention of such Artist's as, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, The Guess Who and many others.

If I hadn't already heard Love, Clear Light, the Byrds, The Circle (Transparent Day) and even Jefferson Airplane I would probably have a stronger review. Highly derivative of the era, the strong songs on this album would be average for the aforementioned groups. Everything you've heard about Bob Markely is true, but I doubt this group would have seen the light of day without his financing.

My recommendation? Buy this, Vol 2 and "the guide" album and make one really good CD compilation of the good tracks, omit the narrative songs.

I was the person who recommended Sundazed to release WCPAEB Part One. Why? Because I had the album (and part Two) since it was released. Not all the songs were gems, but Transparent Day, Shifting Sands and If You Want This Love Of Mine were excellent for the times. Far superior to 90% of the crap released on Rhinos' Nuggets series.

I think a lot of us are searching for some hidden gems that we missed along the way. Kind of like hearing Danny Hutton's "Roses And Rainbows" for the first time. Wow.

It's worth the buy just for those songs.

There is absolutely nothing, and I mean NOTHING, that sounds like this album. These guys managed to put out something completely original.

Lots of other West Coast influences here. Little bit if "The Byrds", "Love" and other groups of the times. Fun addition to a collection!

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 music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's debut "Part One from 1967 only major flaw may have been the year of release. Since it would become a time of such superlative psychedelic music and timeless rock and roll, it seemed on retrospect a shame that for many this group got lost in the shuffle.

The opening track "Shifting Sands" is haunting in the musical arrangement. It immediately enforces the "Pop Art" has something to say and we are listening intently. "Help, I'm A Rock" is indeed the Frank Zappa cover from his debut "Freak Out." The band thought so much of the composition they not only made it an album track but in edited form released it as a single. It is included here as a bonus on the remaster along with the incredible beauty of "Transparent Day." "Here's Where You Belong" is a well done cover of the P.F. Sloan tune. The vocals at times are in the Beach Boy style of the early 1960's. "Scuse Me, Miss Rose" could be mistaken for the Dave Clark Five's "Glad All Over." It is conceivable of the three releases the band used the most diverse singing on the first record's contents.

If you want a slice of the times, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band will satisfy you hunger with their blend of psychedelia, rock, folk, and improvisational sounds from a legendary year in rock and roll.

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