Customer Reviews

Red Hash

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

 

 

This CD deserves to have more exposure. It is a beautiful mostly acoustic recording from 1973. It does not sound dated. Think of a mellower acoustic side of Zeppelin or more cohesive CSN&Y, without battling egos. Gary I hope you do some more work now that this record has been given life again. Gorgeous!

Over the past year or so, one of the albums that I have listened to most often while studying, reading, or just plain chilling out is Gary Higgins's sole album Red Hash which was released way back in 1973. Red Hash was recently brought to public attention when Six Organs of Admittance headman Ben Chasny did a cover of Higgins's "Thicker than a Smokey." Higgins' seemingly disappeared off the planet, but was found not so long ago and the music world learned that the reason why Red Hash was Higgins's only album was because he went to prison not too long after recording it in the studio because of trumped up possession charges. However, now, the once flame-haired bushy bearded Higgins is performing once more and writing new songs.

Recorded at a small studio for a minimal amount of money, the mixing of Red Hash is not the greatest with the bass, cello, and drums being almost unheard on some tracks. However, with this muted sound, the listener is treated to some wonderful acoustic guitar and lazy, hazy vocals. Standouts on the album include, in my humble opinion, the aforementioned "Thicker than a Smokey," "I Pick Notes from the Sky," and my personal favorite "Looking for June." Red Hash would make a great addition to the library of those interested in 1960s and 1970s folk and acid folk music, and for those who enjoy hidden gems that have been misplaced in time.

I first heard about Gary Higgins and his "lost" album while reading the Arts section of The Hartford Courant Sunday paper. The story was so engaging that I decided to give it a go. Over the years I have heard dozens of so-called great lost albums - rarities that have only a local release and a big legend to go with them. Few have ever lived up to the hype, but this is clearly an exception for me. Nice arrangements, eclectic instrumentation and great vocals. This album could have been recorded last year, not 35 years ago......wonder what couldawoulda happened if Gary's musical career had not gotten derailed. If well-crafted acoustic music is your thing, this could possibly be a great addition to your collection....Google Gary Higgins and learn more about this album and the story behind it.....a true classic....enjoy!! Kev

A fine example of the eclectic, funky rock experimentation of the post-Woodstock rock scene. The opening track sounds almost shockingly modern -- like an Elliott Smith song -- while the album winds down with a blatant (and quite pleasant) imitation of the then-cutting edge glam rock of Marc Bolan and his band, T-Rex.... And there's a lot of weirder stuff in between! Definitely worth checking out.