V.A. Take the Brain Train to the Third Eye: Bud Mathis' Sunset Trip (1963-1967)

Mp3 320\79Mb

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Bud Mathis was an all-round mover and shaker on the Sunset Strip throughout the '60s, and in a manner not unlike Kim Fowley, he used his knowledge of what was "hip" and "in" to manage bands, write songs, and even attempt performing himself. Bud Mathis Sunset Strip features 14 cuts recorded between 1963 and 1967 and is a solid compilation of garage, folk-rock, and psychedelia. The Brain Train, later to become Clear Light, open the album with both sides of their September 1967 45: "Me" is a pounding psych-punk effort that blends a mystical lyric and quasi-religious backing vocals with some fine Jeff Beck-inspired guitar rave-ups. The flip "Black Roses" is the very same song the band re-recorded as Clear Light for their debut 45; this earlier version has even more power and a nice West Coast feel supplied by the female backing vocalist. Also of notable quality are the three Joint Effort tracks which exemplify the feel of the "Free Love," flowers, and beads era of the Strip in 1967 with harmony vocals, jangling folk-rock guitars, and fuzzed-out solos working together in unison. The earlier garage-punk/frat efforts by Bud Mathis & the Fairviews, the Fairviews, the 5th Dimension, and Mike Mathis aren't as strong by any means, but are integral to a study of the development of Mathis as a writer and Svengali. Even though the cruder material sits somewhat uncomfortably alongside the folk-rock and psychedelia, this is a varied and enjoyable set. ~ Jon 'Mojo' Mills, All Music Guide

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1. Me - Brain Train 2. Black Roses - Brain Train 3. Third Eye, The - The Joint Effort 4. Children, The - The Joint Effort 5. Discomboober, The - Bud Mathis & The Fairviews 6. Tomorrow's Yesterdays - Wolfgang 7. New Direction, A - The Fairviews/The 5th Dimension 8. Malady of Ego - Bud Mathis 9. My Old Woman - Mike Mathis 10. Merry on a Go Round - The Joint Effort 11. Broken Glass - Wolfgang 12. Malady of Ego - Bud Mathis (Version 2) 13. Fire - Mike Mathis (TRUE instrumental) 14. Me - Brain Train (Instrumental

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BUD MATHIS' SUNSET TRIP 1963-1967

TAKE THE BRAIN TRAIN TO THE THIRD EYE:A JOURNEY THROUGH 1960'S HOLLYWOOD FOLK,GARAGE & PSYCH FEATURING BRAIN TRAIN,THE JOINT EFFORT, THE FAIRVIEWS & MORE.INCLUDES DETAILED STORIES & PHOTOS OFBUD'S WILD TRIP DURING THE PEAK OF THE SUNSET STRIP!

The W.D.c.D. Radio Record

Fans and children of "Nuggets," gather round and check this out! Ground zero for rock'n'roll action in mid-1960s Los Angeles was the Sunset Strip. The nightlife was second to none, its clubs and sidewalks swarming with teens making the scene and digging the new sounds of bands like The Byrds, The Leaves, The Seeds and Love. In their midst walked Bud Mathis, ex-prize fighter turned band manager, songwriter, producer. In many ways Bud's story typifies that of the swingers and hustlers that operated on the fringes of the Sunset Strip. Although his name was never well-known--he made his mark through his involvement with a fistful of obscure but amazing recordings, some of which have remained unheard and unreleased until now. Bud Mathis Sunset Trip charts Bud's course through 1960s Hollywood from his own power-punch beat poet howl on 1963's "Malady of Ego" through to the mystical raga-rock of The Joint Effort's "The Third Eye" and the exquisite folk-rock melodies of "Mary on a Go-Round" in 1967. A vital inclusion is both sides of The Brain Train's monster garage-psych single Me/Black Roses. The band changed their name to Clear Light after Mathis got them a deal with Elektra Records, but these early sides as the Brain Train have a raw urgency that has turned the 45 into a legendary, highly-prized rarity. Other standouts include The Fairviews' fast, screamin' '60s punker "New Direction," The Joint Effort's raga/feedback infected "The Third Eye/The Children" and Bud's teenage son Mike Mathis emerging R&B and S&M to wild effect on "My Old Woman."

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