Search - Litter :: Emerge

Dated but GREAT

Human Capote | kansas City, Mo USA | 12/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the first rock band I saw live...way back in about 1969. They opened for Creedence Clearwater Revival in Kansas City. They blew CCR off the stage. CCR were slow and boring compared to these guys. The lead guitarist was down on one knee for most of the show...psychedelic leads screaming. Heavy Metal's beginnings. When I saw them they were promoting this album. They were better live than in the studio but it's still a must have."

Truly under the radar

J. Mccleary | 09/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You have heard drum solos like "Ina-gada-da-vida" by Iron Butterfly, "The Mule" Deep Purple's "Made In Japan" version, "Rat Salad" by Black Sabbath , However If you ever get a chance to hear The Litter's drum solo on "Future of the Past", It will not only open your eyes, It also will demand your attention! Somebody please tell me why these guys didn't get an invite to Woodstock '69?"

Minnesota rock at its finest

Kevin D. Rathert | Carbondale, IL | 10/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Emerge" was the third and final album by Minnesota's renowned rock band The Litter in their first life. The Litter released three albums between 1966 and 1969, then taking a long break before releasing their next album "Live At The Mirage 1990." The band's first two albums, 1966's "Distortions" and 1967's "$100 Fine" have long been available on Erik Lindgren's MA based reissue Arf Arf label. "Emerge" however, has long been out of print. Cleopatra Records has done a wonderful job in filling that void and adding the non-lp single side "On Our Minds" as a bonus track. For collectors, the two Arf Arf cds and "Emerge" include every side released by the Litter between 1966 and 1969. Not only was "Emerge" originally issued on a new label, but also with a new lead guitarist, with Ray Melina replacing Tom "Zippy" Caplan who moved on to two of Minnesota's best known rock bands, the power trio White LIghtning and the quintet Lightning. Melina not only does a great job on guitar but also helped write 3 of the albums 8 tracks. "Emerge" is probably best known for Tommy Murray's drum solo on the 12 and 1/2 minute opus "Future Of The Past" but includes many other highlights. In fact, all of the tracks shine save the band's take on Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." In particular the band's cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Little Red Book" long considered one of Arthur Lee and Love's finest moments, is killer. Both singles culled from the album "Silly People" and "Blue Ice" stand out. Hats off to Cleopatra for finally making the missing link of The Litter's catalog available to fans. Plus the cd can be obtained from drop shippers rather inexpensively. Fans of the Litter familiar with "Emerge" will want to snatch this cd up before it goes out of print again. But the cd is desirable not only to complete Litter collections but as a fine album on its own merit."