Search - Jan Akkerman & Kaz :: Eli (Mlps)

Of Farmers on Acid

Haani R. Nowilaty | Dublin, OHIO | 05/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You just had to be there...Holland, circa 1976, Akkerman and Focus were the biggest thing since tulips, windmills and a certain footballer by the name of Johan Cruijff (Kruif). I bought the record LP on the first week of its release, a 15 year old kid determined to learn new Jazzier/Swankier guitar parts. But I was unimpressed. For a start, the lyrics threw me for a loop; and Kaz's vocals I just couldn't digest. The guitar parts - though far removed from the Focus realm - were obviously quite out of reach for a 15 year old. In short I, and a lot of other fans were disappointed.



Two or three listening later I switched back to learning Jimmy Page lines.



Then an older friend came by one day and said I should give the record another chance. He explained that this was a "Concept Album", and as much the brain child of Lux as Akkerman's; a "collaboration" that needed to be looked at in a different light. He asked me if I knew what psychedelic drugs were, and I being 15, naturally I said no, being genuinely ignorant of contraband at the time.



He explained that this is an abstract imaginary "Aural Story" about a simpleton farmer who goes downtown one night and buys himself an acid trip, and suffers the consequences, as he melts his mind. A few years later when I witnessed the effects of a "Bad Trip" on an acquaintance, it all suddenly made sense.



I went back to the album with a vengeance circa 1978. I had greatly advanced in my playing, and thought "Oh...I got these parts licked now!" WRONG! Very few people can actually play at the mastery level which Ackerman achieved during this time, and while true, true, he is seriously "underplaying" on this album, the precise articulation simply still remains, even to this day, just out of reach.



Over the ensuing years I developed a love/hate relationship with the record. Repeat close listening brought out the most subtle nuances in both the playing AND the singing that are truly timeless and nothing short of Art. I discerned and recognized melodic content, grooves, and sheer little touches of musical and performance brilliance that have imprinted this record permanently on my heart, and on the hearts of countless European musicians of the past generation.



Now, about 30 years later, this quirky strange album has become as an old friend who wanders off for years at a time, only to think of him one day and find his face peering through your window.



This is a record for such old time Akkerman fans. If you were born anytime after 1978, your chances of appreciating this are remote, as it will sound dated, confused, dry, and at times even corny. If you are a collector of Akkerman music, it obviously belongs in your collection. But if like Eli, you are a simple unsuspecting soul that one day ventures downtown to open your mind and musical heart, beware...you just might get it, and it will never ever leave you.

"

Hidden treasure

Andy Badger | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 07/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording by Jan Akkerman is a favorite of mine leftover from 8-track days. The guitar playing is clean and jazzy, and the rhythm is tight. The CD quality of this import is surely better than the old 8-track, but not perfect, and in one cut, the music skips, as if the CD were made from an LP."

Jan akkerman & kaz lux

Robert J. Pagan | Chula Vista, CA. USA | 06/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a loyal Focus fan and still play their greatest hits! Kaz Lux & Jan Akkerman are superb from the start of 1.Ili to the last composition ix.Fairytale. All compositions are mastery written. This particular album has a great balance to it. Seriously recommend!"