Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground (LP) [1968, ESP, US] TOM RAPP
  €   43
  $   50

 


€ 43 Sold For
May 18, 2015 Sold Date
Mar 16, 2015 Start Date
1 Number Of Bids
  Germany Country Of Seller
eBay Sold at
 
save auction  

Description

Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground (LP) [1968, ESP, US]
1967, Psychedelic Folk / Songwriter

Details:
Label: ESP Disk
Cat. Nr.: ESP-1054
Pressing Year: 1968
Country: USA
Other: Thick cardboard sleeve, due to the
engraving (ESP 1054 A '68) the pressingyear
seems to be 1968. However, according to
the white/brown label this version is from
one of the early pressings.
Condition:
#Cover: VG+ / Great shape except of minor
seam split on bottom and light ringwear
#Vinyl:
*Side A: VG+ / two median scuffs, rest NM
*Side B: M-

We grade our 2nd hand items very strict and straight. If you see 
a LP graded with "G" (=Good), it's still in a good and enjoyable shape! 
You'll find detailed informations about our own vinyl grading system »here«.
Click to enlarge:








Great poetic psychedelic lyrics and folk-y jams.  The songs are based around Tom Rapp and his acoustic guitar, but with various interesting instrumentation all around it making the songs distinct and mesmerizing (like that great trashy organ riff on 'Playmate').  The songs are full of hippie protest and ideology, but it is taken to this really intellectual (that's a total compliment) level by Rapp's amazing abilities.  'Drop Out!' and 'Uncle John' are wonderful protest songs, and 'I Shall Not Care' which cites moralizing poetry about the intransigence of worldly things written by a Roman Citizen at the fall of the Roman Empire (!) is a commentary about the ridiculous and vain preoccupations of the straight world.  The organ also taps out 'Fuck You' in Morse Code on 'Oh Dear Mrs. Morse' and weaved into these great songs are haunting and beautiful poetic ballads like 'Another Time', 'Morning Song', and 'Regions of May'.

Why don't I give this 5 stars?  My friend (who actually likes the album) mockingly called it 'Grad Student Psychedelia' which isn't wrong, but it's just a bit cynical (he has a way of being cutting like that).  So that means, I guess, that it's not UNDENIABLE, but, trust me, it's very very good.

Pearls Before Swine's later material would have more developed and sophisticated orchestration and complex arrangements, which are gorgeous, but I think this looser music is Rapp's best material (not the majority opinion, I don't believe).  But just get some Tom Rapp - it will be a revelation, believe me. (~sizeprize)


You may also like:







price rating