TAMAM SHUD Evolution RARE ORIG '69 Aussie fuzz psych LP
$
76
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Description
Ultra-rare debut album from Australian psych rock band TAMAM SHUD, “Evolution”, from 1969. And the band would like you to know that, despite what’s been said about them, they are most definitely NOT a surf band. One llisten to the album will tell you that, of course, but for some reason, I still see this band described as a “surf rock band” more often than not – most likely because the FILM this music was recorded for was a surfing documentary (an Australian film called “Evolution” by filmmaker Paul Witzig – never seen it myself). Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your tastes), most of the budget for the “Evolution” project was blown on flying surfers to exotic locations, so very little money was left to record Tamam Shud’s soundtrack in the studio. Word has it that the band recorded this ENTIRE album in a mere 2 and a half hours, because they HAD to, and many of these songs were first takes. That’s undoubtedly true for “Feel Free”, which breaks down immediately after the count-in, at which point someone reminds the bassist to turn his amp on. Me, I like the ragged first-take feel of the album – it’s loose, and it rocks like few psychedelic surf soundtracks do. Much has been mentioned of the band’s similarity to Cream – I don’t hear it myself. There’s a jazzier feel to Tamam Shud’s sound, and so I find them more comparable to early Traffic, or even better, Randy California’s Spirit. Both lofty comparisons, I know, but they earn them. Opener “Music Train” sounds quite a LOT like early Traffic, actually, only about SIX times as heavy. Which is probably because the band is trying to recreate the sound of a steaming freight train in something like 20 minutes of studio time. A chuggin’ tempo sets the pace, while a MONSTER fuzzed-out rumbling guitar recreates the sound of the demon locomotive racing through the bowels of Hell (or Perth), while the drummer rides the cymbal like hissing steam belching from the black stack. This leads directly into the second track, “Evolution”, and this time the FUZZ literally SATURATES the song and never lets up for a second, while the drums thrash and burn like Keith Moon catching a wave. Elsewhere, the gorgeous “I’m No One” sounds like a Jimi Hendrix ballad – think “Little Wing” or “Angel” – with a nice fuzz guitar bridge, and the mysterious jazzy psych rock of “Falling Up” would fit nicely on any of the first three Spirit albums – and that’s high praise, by the way. A GREAT album, once hailed as “one of the first wholly original rock albums in Australia” by someone who obviously never tried to surf to it. It’s also testament to just how talented a band is when they can crank out a MONSTER psych rock album in 2 and a half studio hours, on mostly first takes. Next time you get out your Beatles session recordings and hear George Martin say “Strawberry Fields Forever, Take 88”, remember that. Original 1969 pressing on the Australian CBS label. Cover’s in VG shape with some ringwear on back, a small name written in red ink, and there’s a quarter-inch tear along the spine. Sticker on label (see pic). Vinyl looks great with no surface marks, plays VG++ to EXCELLENT with very minor, light occasional crackle. Well kept piece!
Winning bidder pays $4.50 for media mail shipping plus tracking in the US, $8 air mail to Canada, $14 everywhere else. Paypal, Bidpay, checks and money orders accepted. And please be sure to check out my other auctions for more vinyl obscurities, and I will combine shipping costs on multiple wins.
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