It is odd that Basic Blues Magoos (1968) didn't join the Blues Magoos' earlier long-players on the charts, as it was arguably their most cohesive effort to date. In an ironic twist, it was also the final title to feature Ralph Scala (keyboards), Ronnie Gilbert (bass), Emil "Peppy" Thielheim (guitar), Mike Esposito (lead guitar) and Geoffrey Daking (drums). Basic Blues Magoos was a communal effort recorded in their Bronx, New York residence, which was once occupied by Gram Parsons. As opposed to their previous album, ...
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It is odd that Basic Blues Magoos (1968) didn't join the Blues Magoos' earlier long-players on the charts, as it was arguably their most cohesive effort to date. In an ironic twist, it was also the final title to feature Ralph Scala (keyboards), Ronnie Gilbert (bass), Emil "Peppy" Thielheim (guitar), Mike Esposito (lead guitar) and Geoffrey Daking (drums). Basic Blues Magoos was a communal effort recorded in their Bronx, New York residence, which was once occupied by Gram Parsons. As opposed to their previous album, Electric Comic Book (1967), the group had all but abandoned their overt psychedelia for a tighter organic feel. The opener is an airy, well-written number that would not have felt too out of place in the context of Brit-mod melodians such as the Small Faces or Jeff Lynne's pre-Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) combo, the Idle Race. The propulsive "All the Better to See You With" is in the same vein, directly contrasted by both the lovely ballad "Yellow Rose" and the stunning and intricate "I Can Move a Mountain." While the simply silly "Presidential Council on Psychedelic Fitness" is a throwaway, it clears the path for the "Iron Man"-meets-Strawberry Alarm Clock novelty of "Scarecrow's Love Affair," and the uni-tonal "Subliminal Sonic Laxative," consisting of a minute-and-four-seconds of a low frequency (it's actually a 'D' note) and that's all, just one very low note. The baker's dozen from Basic Blues Magoos concludes with the outstanding "Chicken Wire Lady," bolstered by some inspired vocal harmonies. Monaural 45 RPM versions of "I Wanna Be There," "There She Goes," "I Can Hear the Grass Grow" and "Yellow Rose" precede "Let Your Love Ride" and a laid-back remake of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love." These two tracks were issued after the band split up and is undoubtedly the crown jewel of all Blues Magoos platters, as very few of the indie Ganim label releases actually circulated. In fact, so uncommon is the 7" record, copies have been known to trade hands for a princely sum. Shady maneuvering resulted in the name Blues Magoos being retained by their management and a new incarnation resurfaced in 1969 with only Emil "Peppy" Thielheim in tow. Although they would cut a few LPs, nothing much came of the revival. [The CD edition has been expanded with six mono single sides, all making their digital debut here. The accompanying eight-page liner book boasts an essay from Ugly Things fanzine guru Mike Stax and plenty of rarely published photos, as well as other related eye-candy.] ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi
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