Bob Bannister-Dives and Lazarus:Death Chants, Breakdowns, and Tape Loops

Dear lord, did Ptolemaic Terrascope ever get it right by including this disk on its top 100 records list. And it's the one that I mention to other psych heads and have never gotten a straight response. The phonies will claim that they actually know what this is, but they don't. You know those types who've heard everything but for some reason only seem to talk about whatever the current trend is. Don't trust them people. But for most of us, this isn't an album that gets much cred. And that means people are really missing out on something special. At its core, the album consists of traditional folk tunes. That's fine as it is and it's nothing to sneer at. Then there's all sorts of interesting dronal textures that surround the tunes. This album definitely proves the point that experimentation can be done with subtlety and taste rather than the heavy handed "hey look at me getting weird" posturing that kills so many albums.

Here

The Wooden O-A Handful of Pleasant Delites

Tis true, nothing does compare to languidly reclining whilst one dearly loved caresses you inner ear hole with the soothing sounds of a recorder. Just look at this Pre-Raphaelite-cum-hippy filth cover and you just want to grab them grapes and squeeze. This is one of the lesser known in that pagan loving, olde tymey, return to the Earth Limey brilliance that readers around here seem to fetishize. But really, if you're not up for some fluting than forget it. But back on that cover. Doesn't that really seem like such a charming way to pass some sunny fall day?

Here (reuped 7/19/12)

Kathy & Carol

The group name really sounds like some horrendous radio talk show that my mom would listen to. Thankfully it is so far away from that drivel. This is really a beautiful, plaintive folk album. Their intertwined vocals are so ethereal and otherworldly that this record seems almost inhuman. The autoharp and acoustic guitar are a nice addition, but it's the vocals only tracks that I could listen to for eternity. All these (new weird) folky fakers currently pedaling they're recycled junk should give this a close listen and see how it's really done.

Here