SCARCE '69 UK POPSIKE = THE WORLD OF OZ + Fripp = SWEEPING SUNNYSIDE POP GROOVES
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BRIGHT & SUNNY '69 BRITISH POPSIKE GROOVES!
THE WORLD OF OZ
THE WORLD OF OZ
\ USA - DERAM RECORDS -DES 18022
PLAYS CLEAN!
Always been hard to find ...here's the rare 1969 first pressing which was once property of a radio station (station letters "WBFO" (radio) on back cover) ... the record plays very clean and reveals a truly charming British popsike crew who issued this one and only album in '69
Surprising guest :: guitarist Robert Fripp of pre-King Crimson....
This is well crafted British pysch pop influenced by the Hollies and Bee Gees. Tight vocal driven songs with lush orchestration and a touch of playful British whimsy. Definitely on par with Rainbow Ffollies, Beatles, Hollies, and Bee Gees late 60's efforts... Yes, this is British psychedelic rock from the late 60's. Fans of the genre's most famous (in the mainstream) albums like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , Pink Floyd's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn , the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle and less-famous but equally worthwhile albums like Tomorrow , The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow , and Kaleidoscope's Tangerine Dream know that British psychedelia more often than not includes gloriously lush production (orchestras, and yes, even slide whistles), very British vocals, songs full of stories that are often whimsical, a sense of melody that sometimes borders on the sing-song and, maybe most importantly, an effort to make the music and recording recreate or enhance drug experiences. When taken in this context, The World of Oz's only album not only makes a lot more sense, it's also pretty good and easy to appreciate as a well-crafted collection of popsike songs.
Really, the album's cover gives a bit of the wrong impression--aside from the artwork (which delightfully reproduces a plethora of characters from the Wizard of Oz books), the band and the songs have absolutely nothing to do with the Wizard of Oz. In fact, in comparison with many other British psych bands, these guys aren't quite as psychedelic as they are marketed. Their primary connections to psych lies in the subject matter of the songs (delightfully playful hooks and song premises) and the presence of a full backing arrangements on most of the tracks. Other than that and the odd guitar effect on "Humgum Tree" and "Like a Tear," the album is less of a psychedelic trip and more of a sly and light-hearted pop record, which makes a lot of sense--the World of Oz put out a clutch of moderately-successful to totally unsuccessful singles, which were eventually collected with a few other tracks to make up this album. In this sense, it's not really as much of a proper studio album as a compilation of pre-recorded singles with other songs (really not uncommon in all areas of pop music at the time, since most labels required bands to release successful singles before allowing them to make a whole album).
As for the music and songs themselves, they tend more toward the '60s UK brand of sunny (if occasionally melancholy) psych pop than something with a tougher edge like the Move or the Pretty Things. "The Muffin Man" is a slice of popsike heaven, with some great backing spice and soaring harmonies. "Bring the Ring" is one of the fan favorites; a gentle-to-rocking ballad. Despite the lush production, you can clearly hear in the left channel a pretty tough, rocking rhythm section with driving bass and pounding drums. The lack of a strong, forward guitar presence on many of the songs account for the slight misinterpretation that it doesn't "rock."
The intro to "Jackie" always makes one think the band is going to launch into the Bee Gees' "I Started a Joke." A couple of my other favorites include the great verses of "We've All Seen the Queen," the lamenting ballad "King Croesus," and the rollicking "Mandy-Ann." From a poprock standpoint, there's not really a weak song in the bunch, as they're all laden with hooks and slick production. The only song that really may get on the nerves is "Jack," ostensibly about a child playing in a park with his grandparents, which takes whimsy in the least interesting direction it could go.
If you're a fan of British psychedelic music and know what to expect, you'll probably get plenty of enjoyment out of this album--it's pretty obscure, and if you've exhausted the genre, it'll be an enjoyable addition to your collection. If you're a fan of harder rock, you'd probably do best elsewhere.
Muffin Man
Bring The Ring
Jackie Beside The Fire
Hum-Gun Tree
With A Little Help
We've All Seen The Queen
King Croesus
Mandy-Ann
Jack
Like A Tear Willow's Harp
CONDITION: The Cover: the THICK cardboard sleeve is still colorful as it was in '69, having only a little light shelf wear, VG++, no split seams, no bends, no writing
The Vinyl: very clean and smooth throughout both sides, TOP rated M- looks & plays beautiful ...both DERAM labels are clean
A cool addition to anyone's music library!
SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...
EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING
All imperfections are noted both cover & record
NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks! GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction! ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!
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