Re-Inventions: Best Of The Vanguard Years

Sandy Bull | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: January 26, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00000HF5R
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,432 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sandy Bull's 1965 LP Inventions remains one of those legendary albums that almost no one has heard. Its impact, however, can be scene in the title of this new compilation spotlighting a great unsung hero of "psychedelic folk." "Blend," the 22-minute opus from 1963 that opens this disc, surely fits that designation, perfectly blending folk, jazz, and Indian influences into what Bull called "new guitar raga." An eclectic virtuoso who switched from acoustic guitar to banjo to Stratocaster to oud (mostly backed solely by jazz drummer/Ornette Coleman crony Billy Higgins), Bull was all over the musical map. Thus the beautiful, soothing bossa nova of "Manha de Carnival" gives way to German classical music, which is supplanted by a cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis." The cream of Bull's first three albums can be found here. When those old records were in stores, it's a good bet Leo Kottke, Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, George Harrison, and Jerry Garcia were taking notes. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OH MY GOD! HE LIVES!, March 3, 1999

By 

Paul Galioni (Susanville/Nevada City, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Re-Inventions: Best Of The Vanguard Years (Audio CD)

Tears in my eyes is how I can best describe finding this album -- I was just about to pay just over 50 dollars for his vinyl with Blend and Little Maggie and Camina Brauna on it --and thought I ought to check one last time before I pushed the 'buy' button -- and here it was! And I didn't even need to worry about finding a turn table! Camina Brauna is, well, beyond words, and Little Maggie is one of those tunes I have been trying to play on the banjo for the past 20 years -- sets my foot tapping and makes my insides turn to Jell-O -- and makes me feel all crazy inside. Can't think of ANY tune that tops this. The wonder is that this album EVER went out of print! As an understatement all I can say is: He sure is a pretty amazing and talented musician.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Original, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Re-Inventions: Best Of The Vanguard Years (Audio CD)

My old college roomie in New Haven had this album in the mid-sixties, and Sandy was just about the most incredible guitarist we'd ever heard (and both of us played). If you've never heard or heard of this guy, you are in for a special ride. The fabulous, magical cut of "Memphis" -- quietly ethereal, sliding back and forth like Chuck Berry off in some cloud dream -- has haunted me for over 35 years, and it alone is worth ten times the price of this album.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth the wait., March 22, 1999

By 

K. H. Rantilla "katydid67" (Jaffrey, NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Re-Inventions: Best Of The Vanguard Years (Audio CD)

Thank you Vanguard and Amazon! A search on Sandy Bull produced this great cd, each cut an old friend that resonates and renews. Incredible to hear Memphis again after 30+ years, amazed to anticipate each phrase and note. No disappointments here -- Sandy Bull's music making has stood the test of time and then some.