Customer Reviews

You Can Be Anyone This Time Around

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4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Book of the Month Club billed this as "The musical equivalent of a full-blown LSD trip." That might be stretching it a bit, but then again, what exactly is an acid trip? This is Timothy Leary's elucidation of what was to be his 1968 CA gubernatorial campaign platform until then-guv Ronald Reagan had him imprisoned for marijuana possession, thereby nullifying Leary's eligibility for the candidacy. This record is what happens when one of the best minds of a generation gets together with Stephen Stills, Buddy Miles, and Jimi Hendrix (on bass!) for a little 21st century philosophy utilizing the cut and splice technology pioneered by the Beatles. The title track might just be the first example of wholesale sampling, incorporating bites of Allen Ginsberg, John Lennon, Indian cowmaid music and more. (Incidentally, I saw Leary speak in 1988. Armani suit and running shoes, he covered the whole stage, all wound up about the coming wave--that was my introduction to the Internet.)

The CD album title is actually "You Can Be Anyone This Time Around" (not "Anything").

Also, the tracklist here doesn't display the right order of tracks, here's the right info:

1. Live and Let Live (13:56)
(Timothy Leary: rap; Stephen Stills: guitar; John Sebastian: guitar; Jimi Hendrix: bass; Buddy Miles: drums)

2. You Can Be Anyone This Time Around (9:03)

3. What Do You Turn On When You Turn On (6:03)

I just found a brand new reissued 180 gram vinyl copy to replace my old, well worn cassette tape!!! Zen! Listening to "Live and Let Live" makes you realize that if Leary hadn't been cut off at the knees by Ronald RayGun and become governor, California would have a huge budget surplus instead of being broke. Perhaps the world could have even been spared the Bush dynasty on some alternate political timeline. As for the all star jam, can you imagine the studio scene with Leary, Hendrix, Stills, Sebastian, and Miles tripping and grooving and rapping about changing the world. Far out, man. Oh, and don't discount Leary the scientist breaking down the human body into a chemically complex machine on "What Do You Turn On," and I defy you not to be inspired by the title track. Ommm, Shivaya!

I have been looking for this cd for a long time as it has been out of print.
Thank you for your honesty and swiftness in sending me this wonderful cd.
The packageing was great and your product arrived on time and in great shape.
Thank you again for making my purchase so enjoyable, I would recommend you to anybody. Thanks

Sometimes you don't know why you like certain albums. Is it because they are good? Is it because they have some historic or nostalgic value? Or, is it just so weird, or so full of sounds you would never hear anywhere else, you are just happy you have it in the library?

I have not quite answered this question about You Can Be Anyone This Time Around. Timothy Leary says this repeatedly. Do you want to be the Rolling Stones? No problem. John and Yoko, sure thing. Khrisna? Consider it done.

This is all over music by the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, basically a sound collage of counter culture music. On later tracks, Leary chants LSD drivel-"The cellular trip is through the body and the questions remain astronomical," over music made by Buddy Miles and Steven Stills.

I don't know if this is good because it is good or good because it is so bad. It is completely ridiculous-which makes it even more charming.

Ether way, I am glad I own it.

here is maybe my favorite recording from Tim. it is just great to listen to him back in the 60s. sometimes, i feel some kind of 'flashback', even if i was born in the 70s. another CD you WANT to have to remember our Tim.

I suppose some might consider this album interesting from a historical perspective. If you're heavily stoned, it might be entertaining. Otherwise it's just awful. The music sounds like a porn soundtrack. Even at that, it's ruined by Leary's nonsensical blattering in the background.

THIS CD LETS YOU INTO THE MIND OF A MAN WHO CAHGED THE 60's AND LET ME TELL YOU THIS WAS A VERY SMART MAN, AND WHEN YOU HEAR THIS IT IS GOING TO MAKE YOU THINK ALOT CAUSE THAT WHAT IT DID TO ME. CAUSE HE KNEW HOW TO USE WORDS IN A WAY THAT YOU HAD TO LISTEN AND JUST TO HEAR IS VOICE SHOWS YOU HOW MUCH OF A GOOD SPOKES MEN HE WAS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELL WHY SO MANY PEOPLE TRUSTED HIM, AND THE MUSIC IS SO GOOD THE WAY IT ALL JUST FITS TOGETHER TO MAKE A GREAT SOUND. SO GET THIS CD AND YOU WILL LOVE THAT YOU DID.