ULTIMATE SPINACH BEHOLD & SEE PSYCH MONSTER BOSTON MGM STEREO PLAYS EASILY EX+
£
112
$
148
£ 112
Sold For
Sep 23, 2018
Sold Date
Sep 16, 2018
Start Date
£ 3
Start price
15
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
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Description
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FIRST UK PRESSING:- Yellow black MGM record labels.
Catalogue number:- MGM CS 8094.
Date of Release:- 1968.
Title:- behold & see.
Performer(s): Ultimate Spinach.
Further information:-
Heavy duty 137gm vinyl.
Ultimate Spinach's second album tends to get dismissed by critics and fans. Continuing their partnership with producer Alan Lorber, "Behold & See" was recorded amidst growing personnel discontent in the ranks, perhaps explaining the presence of guest singer Carole Lee Britt on the Hendrix-styled 'Guilded Lamp of the Cosmos' and a couple of songs. Front man Ian Bruce-Douglas was again responsible for all the material and though musically it wasn't a major change from the debut, somehow this set simply lacked the freshness found on the self-titled debut. I'll admit their second set doesn't match up to the debut in freshness, but song-for-song the album wasn't half bad. In fact, there were more than a couple of tunes that were easily as good as anything on the debut.
Track listing:
Side 1
1.) Gilded Lamp of the Cosmos (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 2:30 rating: **** stars Other than having seemingly ripped off Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady' riff, I have to admit to quite liking 'Gilded Lamp of the Cosmos'. Guest Carole Lee Britt's vocals gave the song a nice lysergic feel andGeoffrey Winthrop turned in some tasty lead guitar.
2.) Visions of Your Reality (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 5:49 rating: **** stars With Bruce-Douglas on lead vocals, 'Visions of Your Reality' offered up a surprisingly engaging mix of blues and psych. Kudos to Geoffrey Winthrop for some sterling fuzz guitar moves.
3.) Jazz Thing (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 8:20 rating: **** stars Yeah, I guess you could argue the xylophone gave 'Jazz Thing' a jazzy tinge, but it was kind of ca cocktail jazz vibe - music for middle class American trying to be hip and happenin' ... Sure, it was way too long, but kicked along by Bruce-Douglas' socially relevant "timepiece" lyrics, this was another tune that I'll readily admit to enjoying.
4.) Mind Flowers (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 9:38 rating: **** stars All hyperbole aside, 'Mind Flowers' has to be one of the trippiest songs ever recorded. Bruce-Douglas' treated vocals, Winthrop' stunning fuzz guitar and strange chord progressions and the socially relevant lyrics (well for 1968), made for one of those special tunes that not enough folks have ever heard. Imagine what The Doors might have sounded like had they been capable of penning a true melody. You had to wonder how many stoned hours were spent listening to this tune ... It certainly made for a quick way to make nine minutes go by.
Side 2
1.) Where You're At (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 3:10 rating: **** stars As much as I like Bruce-Douglas' voice, Carole Lee Britt sounded great on 'Where You're At'. Probably the album's most conventional and commercial rocker.
2.) Suite: Genesis of Beauty (in Four Parts) (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 9:56 rating; ** stars Starting out with a folkish, almost pastoral feel, 'Suite: Genesis of Beauty (in Four Parts)' was quite different than any of the earlier performances. Stretching out over nine minutes, it bounced into a jazz mid-section with some of Bruce-Douglas' most pompous lyrics ... Can't say I liked it as much as some of the other tunes and it was way too long for the band's own good.
3.) Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse (instrumental) (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 5:50 rating: **** stars One of the finest things the band ever recorded, 'Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse' opened up with a wonderful Byrds-styled folk-rock vibe, made even better by an extended Dylan-esque harmonica solo. About a minute and half in the song abruptly switches gear with the focus shifting to Geoffrey Winthrop's multi-tracked, fuzz drenched lead guitar. And just when you were settling down, at the four minute mark the tune shifts to a pastoral flute and organ interlude, before returning to the opening folk-rock melody. Quite a trip.
4.) Fragmentary March of Green (Ian Bruce-Douglas) - 6:51 rating: **** stars Any song starting out with a lysergic-tinged piano is likely to having something going for it. Combined with Keith Lahteinen's Eastern-tinged percussion and Bruce-Douglas' deadpanned vocals and goofy lyrics and 'Fragmentary March of Green' was one of the album highlights. Wonder if I'm the only one who heard a bit of Beatles influence in the "sanctify, reality" chant at the end of the song.
One of he rarest of all the MGM records. It sold in minute quantities and was soon deleted.
Stereo only. There were no mono releases. This is a first pressing with the front only
laminated sleeve. It has the Garrod & Lofthouse printing credit.
The sleeve is in easily excellent condition. Minor crease at opening. No folds No tears No writing.
So rare like this.(see photos).
The inner sleeve is the correct white "PATENT APPLIED FOR" "MADE IN ENGLAND" text.
First press matrix marks MGS 1588-1 and MGS 1559-1 and first press Mother stampers 1G and 1A
The labels are in awesome condition with no bleaching of colours and no spindle trails.
Look at the photos to see how good these labels are.
Now for the record itself. It plays totally silently over the music, a little crackle between the odd track
There are no marks no tics no clicks no repeats no jumps.
I would conservatively grade as EX+
So here we have a first press front only laminated sleeve, first press inner sleeve and first press -1 -2 matrix marks and 1 G 1 A Mother Stampers on MGM's rarest release.
So there is absolutely no doubt that this is an original first press of this mega rare psych monster.
The Disc is FULLY PLAY TESTED. NOT JUST GUESSED AT!
YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER SOUNDING COPY!
Rare & collectable.
Don't miss out!. Postage rates:-
UK £4.50 2nd class signed for. If the record sells for less than £20 postage is £3.20.
Europe £12.99 Signed for.
ROW £15.99 Signed for
price rating
