Search - Country Joe & the Fish, Notes From the Underground, Frumious Bandersnatch :: The Berkeley EPs: Nuggets From the Golden State

Excellent 60s psych compilation

Stephen F Mulcahy | United States | 12/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a highly recommended release. the version of section 43 is actually probably even better than the one on the lp. country joe &the fish are in fine form on the ep. mad river's amphetamine gazelle ( also done on their debut record) is a wild and brilliant slice of acid rock, as is the weird ep only anti war anthem orange fire. i also strongly recommend both of their albums, which i feel are two of the stronger san francisco area releases of the period. notes from the underground, despite their moniker, won't remind you of the great dostoevsky story, they were really a fine garage, or proto -power pop aggregation, with a good timey flavoring somewhat like the lovin' spoonful or bay area contemporaries the charlatans. the frumious bandersnatch (their name taken from lewis carroll's poem jabberwocky)serve up some wonderful and exhilirating psych that probably is the highlight of the cd along with mad river's material. the guitar work, ominous bass riff, great vocals, and powerful lyrics in hearts to cry is amazing, and the song is a san francisco acid classic. the other two bandersnatch tracks are also very good. there's very little filler on this release and it definitely should be heard by acid rock fans and sixties enthusiasts"

Essential for 60's music collectors!

Jack B. Nimble | East Coast | 12/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A BIG thank you to Big Beat UK for releasing this compilation of 4 very rare EP's from San Fran's psychedelic underground, otherwise known as the "San Francisco Sound". If you were lucky enough to find and purchase VG+ to near mint original pressings of these EP's, God Bless You and because you have spent over $4,500 easy. Big Beat UK have done a fine job remastering these gems on CD as the sound quality is superb considering the sources. The Frumious Bandersnatch was taken from the master tapes and every song on their EP is a gem. "Hearts To Cry" is an incredible song and features some of the finest 2-way acid guitar attack to come out of the west coast during 68'. It's a crying shame this band never signed to a major label and released a full length LP. The Mad River EP is a psych masterpiece, although it was dubbed from acetate. "A Gazelle" should be played at maximum volume with the speakers facing out of the house windows! Notes from the Underground released 2 LP's after the EP and is decent late 60's rock. Country Joe and the Fish's EP is a must have. These guys basically started it all. The EP versions are a bit faster and looser than the LP versions, but nonetheless are performed with conviction and assurance that a "change is gonna come". Overall, all 4 EP's are ESSENTIAL listening for 60's music collectors and lovers alike!"

I cant believe no one reviewed this thing yet?!

Mark R. Dobos | Indian Harbour Beach, FL USA | 10/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Berkeley was at the absolute heart of the sixties. I could have done w/out Letters from the underground but between Country Joe & the Fish (the only band on the album people may have heard or heard of), Frumious, and Mad River ya' go to many a place. This is really a piece of history-a psychadelic wonderland."