Search - Ultimate Spinach :: Behold & See

Better than the debut LP

R. Wagner | Worthington, Ohio United States | 04/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Behold & See, the second release from Ultimate Spinach is so much better than their debut release. The music, lyrics and concept are steeped in 1968 psychedelia. [NOTE: Buy the Irismusicgroup CD as it is taken from the original release. It sounds like it was mastered from a tape source (minor hiss) but contains two mono bonus tracks. The Big Beat CD is digitally remastered by Alan Lorber but contains edited versions, a revised track listing and completely removes the 'Visions of Your Reality' track.] If it were only for the song 'Mind Flowers' it would be worth the price of the CD. This track is 10 minutes of quintessential trip music-a disembodied narrative being echoplexed, duelling lead guitars both in freakout mode, tape manipulations and lyrics like "You see 1000 poppies as tomorrow's gods!" What is not to like?? 'Jazz Thing" and 'Genesis of Beauty' showcase the jazzier side of this band. I bought this LP in 1968 and it's still one of my favorites of that era. If you want to explore Ultimate Spinach at it's finest this is the CD to own. It's dated for sure but it's the real deal."

Just great Psychedelia!!!

Merry Present | LAWRENCE, KS USA | 06/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wow first off, this album is absolutley fantastic if you're into psychedelia, which I am (actually I LOVE psychedlic music so much that, for me, the word "psychedelia" has become a bit redundant). It really is a great album to lose your self into. Anyway, I guess I'll go ahead and say I'm a like a librarian to these sort of albums, and I'd say here is a group the really tried hard to sound psychedelic. Now, there are two types of "psychedelic" bands: Ones that TRY HARD to sound all trippy and stuff, and then there are the real bands (like County Joe and The Fish, and Pink Floyd) who don't have to try to sound like another great psychedelic band. Therefore, Ultimate Spinach is kind've an experimental psychedelic album, by which I mean the artist really hoped it would please the masses of 1968 and quell their psychedelic listening needs...and beleive me, they succeeded! They just didn't quite have the natural early-Pink Floyd or Country Joe magic element.

Sound quality was about the same as I'd expect from an LP source, but given the EXTREME EXTREME obscurity of this album, this CD is totaly worth every penny (and hey, the sound quality is good/average, but there is a dull hiss at the beginning of some tracks. Speaking of tracks....well, instead of droning on about each individual track, I will say that as a whole album, this is a superb listening experience. Actually, I will point out one track..."Mind Flowers".........oh yeah, and the "suite of beauty" number. Now these tracks are the most psychedelic part of the album (which both tracks account for probably about 15 minutes of it) and really are a psychedelic groove. Enjoy! You won't be sorry..."

Great Forgotten Psychedelia

Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 09/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album 30 years ago from the Columbia Record Club, mainly because I'd seen and heard of the name for years and was curious. However, back then, I don't remember playing it much because of the first song on each side. The songs themselves weren't bad, but I didn't like the female vocalist. Her voice is very powerful and midrange, but so powerful it's grating and harsh. I seem to remember putting on the first side, hearing that voice and taking it off, flipping it over, and getting the same thing, so I shelved it.



Fast forward to September 2008. I burned it to CD and despite not remembering playing it that much, there were enough scratches on it to show that apparently, I did play it some.



As I listened to it, a few of the tracks gave me flashbacks of familiarity. All that being said, I've looked at it with different eyes, and these are my impressions.



I like the first song on each side, though I don't like the female vocalist. It is funny that each side starts with her singing, and investigation revealed that this woman was a guest musician and not even the original singer from the first album. It became painfully obvious when I heard the rest of the tracks which were sung by Ian Bruce-Douglas, who has a pleasant voice that reminds me of someone else, but can't quite remember who. Anyway... the female harmony vocals are completely different from the harsh midrange of the guest singer, so I think those harmony vocals were probably done by the original female singer. I think the band was in deep turmoil during the recording of this album and as it turns out, they broke up just as it was released.



The music is excellent and I'd have to say it has been undeservedly shoved to obscurity. I understand there was a whole promotional animal in Boston at the time that made this band look like a bunch of phony's, but past history or rumors aside, this is still one great and fascinating piece of psychedelia. Don't let the rumors and innuendo stop you from seeking this album out.



I'll admit the lyrics are pretty much in the (Quoting Frank Zappa here) Candyrock Psychedelic Profundity category. And what's really weird is that I can actually understand everything the singer is saying! That in itself deservers some points.



As stated elsewhere, the music is full of influences, from fuzz guitar to jazz interludes. It's all over the place in subtle style shifts, but still retains a psychedelic feel to it. I would rate the album five stars if it weren't for the annoying lead female vocals on those two songs that mar the overall feel of the music.



If you are into psychedelic music, you shouldn't pass this one up as it is a lost classic. Highly recommended.

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