Skip Spence - 'Oar' (Sundazed)
Mike Reed | USA | 07/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The late Skip Spence {R.I.P. 1946-1999} has been credited for being an early member of Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape. Unfortunately, 'Oar' is Spence's only solo recording. Some have said he is like the U.S. reply to Syd Barrett, which I thought is sort of apparent on certain tunes here, like "War In Peace", the psych gem "Broken Heart", "It's The Best Thing For You" and maybe "Furry Heroine". Check it out for yourself and see how you like this twenty-two track compilation that Sundazed put out awhile back. Sure took me long enough to get around to hearing. Once again, a pure case of just too many 'new' good releases coming out every month."
An American Barrett?
Rik K | Vancouver, Canada | 08/19/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of the oddest and most affecting personal documents ever put to music. Ex-Jefferson Airplane/Moby Grape member Skip Spence made this totally DIY album in 1968; it was to be his last one before schizophrenia permanently sidelined him. Personally and musically sharing some of the same sad/brilliant territory as Syd Barrett, "Oar" has perhaps a more singular, intentional artistic direction than Barrett's work did. Spence's condition seemed to give birth to an entire style of Blues - beautifully honest and confessional viewpoints that we're richer for hearing. There are moments of lightness and subtle humour here too, and a fascination with the way Spence's ghostly, minimalist guitar and percussion so effectively embellish his unsettling interior sketches. This CD edition has an extra 10 tracks (nearly doubling the length of the original release), and a 14-page booklet with essays and photos."