Their only record, »All On The First Day« from 1972 has reached cult status amongst psych-folk-fans, even though it was only produced in 99 copies (the trio didn’t want to pay more taxes than necessary). However, instead of re-releasing their debut, Drag City (together with Gaarden Records and Galactic Zoo Disk) have decided to make even more rare recordings from 1972-1977 become public. It’s a delight, especially since the 16 tracks are moving witnesses of a time period around the hippie-era, behind the background of the War on Vietnam and the Cold War in general. On the other hand, it’s remarkable, how very few technical resources (even for back then, the recording method of using a 2-track-Ferrograph-recorder more than simple) can still create such great songs, somewhere between traditional folk, psychedelic and country rock. Nothing is missing, everything from the seve-minute-jam »Ton Ton Macoutes« with sweeping guitar solos to the classic shanty »My Grandfather’s Clock« is part of the record: Nick-Drake-picking, pre-Ziggy-Stardust-Bowie, Dylan, when he still sang protest-songs and esepecially The Incredible String Band. And despite all the influences, Tony Caro & John still preserve their very own sound, consisting of an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar and a bass. It’s great that more than 99 fans will be able to appreciate it.
Blue Clouds
