Progressive And Psychedelic Bands And Albums Quiz

Answer: Growers Of Mushroom

Leafhound was originally formed as a band called Black Cat Bones who released one album titled "Barbed Wire Sandwich." They were short lived and evolved into Leafhound. Q Magazine voted Leafhound's "Growers Of Mushroom" the number one most collectible rock album.

This album has by now achieved mythical status. It was recorded in one eleven hour session at Spot Studios in Mayfair, London, in late 1970. The music is hard progressive rock that is rooted in blues and a touch of psychedelia. They don't sound like Led Zeppelin per se, but a lot of Led Zeppelin influence is evident.

A copy of the original UK pressing sold for $3420.00 in 2008.

Answer: Damon And "Song Of A Gypsy"

"Song Of A Gypsy" by Damon is considered by most sellers and collectors to be the holy grail of psychedelic records. It was issued in both a single pocket cover and a gatefold cover. The gatefold is most desirable. Damon's vocals are almost crooner in style and are ethereal in the sense that they sound dreamy and even trancelike.

There seems to be an ongoing fuzz guitar throughout this entire amazing album and the melodies are truly atmospheric. The songs are trippy and the percussion is unusual with an amazing exotic or Mid East feel. If you want an original copy you can expect to pay at least $3,000.00 as of 2009.

There is a Damon Myspace page if you want to hear a sample of his music. I'm still not clear on the year of release. Some say 1969 and some say 1970.

Answer: Jacula

"Tardo Pede In Magiam Verus" by Jacula is my all time favorite album. It's not for everyone though and especially not for the faint of heart. It is the most beautiful yet eerie album I have yet to hear. Judging by a Jacula related video I have and their songs, I think I can safely say that this band was into the occult.

This album could easily have been the soundtrack to a horror film. The music is elaborate, dark and atmospheric. There is flute, violin, creepy church organ, harpsichord and subtle guitar.

The highlight is the vocals of Doris Norton. I don't understand the Italian language but her vocals are simply mesmerizing as well as the most beautiful I have ever heard. Jacula's music is also progressive yet gothic and classical in genre. One might even call it dungeon music.

It almost gives one a sense of impending doom or a foreboding feeling. Aside from Doris Norton the mastermind behind Jacula is Antonio Bartoccetti. International critics have called this band the most authoritative band of the deeper parabiblical mystic sound and their music parapsychological. This album has been reissued on vinyl and CD at an affordable price. I gave roughly $1500.00 for my original copy back in 1999.

Answer: John Lennon

Lazy Smoke was a band from Massachusetts that had a singer who could sound eerily like John Lennon. Their music was Beatlesque psychedelia and had a definite British sound to it. Studio tricks were used in the album's production. Backwards guitar, dreamy vocals, church organ. Sort of like the Beatles "Sgt. Peppers" album except that this one is lo-fi.

Many think the album overrated but it's quite nice to my ears.

Answer: Yezda Urfa

In 1975 Yezda Urfa released "Boris" in a pressing of 500. It was a demo only in hopes that a well known record label would hear their album, like it and give them a record deal. The lead singer was a good friend of mine. He passed away at just over 50 years of age.

The music is mind frying, frantic, complex, progressive rock and was an odd combination of Gentle Giant and Yes. The drummer was frantic, the complex changes by the lead guitar player were awe inspiring. The album was recorded in about three days in a studio in Chicago.

Answer: There was only one copy and it was an acetate.

The recording of "Dark Shadows" only made it to a recording's first stage, which is an acetate. Usually there is more than one acetate pressed but in this case there was only one. Perhaps the band ran out of money and that's why the recording never progressed.

In 1989 the Rockadelic label managed to unearth the recording and it was finally released on vinyl. The Rockadelic issue is quite rare. The music is described as dark psychedelia that can sound like the Doors at times and the 13th Floor Elevators at other times.

The songs are long for the most part with echoed fuzz guitar, Roky Erickson style vocals and feature the autoharp genius, Bill Miller. The sessions that the acetate were taken from took place in 1970. The acetate was made a few years later by a band member just so he could listen to the music.

Answer: DR Hooker

In 1972 DR Hooker released his "Truth" album. Many consider it a psychedelic masterpiece that was probably the most important release in the genre for 1970s psychedelia. It has a homemade sound with vocals typical of lounge singers. The album credits ten musicians as well as the mysterious Donald Hooker. Mr. Hooker is pictured on the front cover looking very Jesus like with flowing robes and a heavy beard.

He was also quite thin. This is an album that lives up to its reputation. There was a later second album titled "Armageddon."

Answer: Plastic Cloud

In 1968 Plastic Cloud released their only album and it was self titled. The vocals had a distinct pop sound, the fuzz guitar was relentless, the melodies were infectious and the harmonies had that West Coast vibe. As with the albums mentioned in most of my questions, this one is very expensive. It's best to get it on CD or as a vinyl reissue.

Answer: Moving Sidewalks

Billy Gibbons played guitar for Moving Sidewalks back in 1969. They released one album titled "Flash" that changes hands for a good sum of money. Their style of music was psychedelic blues rock. Their album yielded a single, "99th Floor" which actually topped the charts at number one in Houston, Texas for a period of six weeks.

At one time Moving Sidewalks opened up for the 13th Floor Elevators and were even asked to open for the Doors and Jimi Hendrix. Dusty Hill and Frank Beard were in the band American Blues.

At one time I had a beautiful copy of their "Do Their Thing" album. I put it up for auction on eBay. The winner was a guy with the last name Beard from Texas. I'm still scratching my head and wondering. The winner didn't pay me himself. I was paid twice by two other parties. I refunded one of course.

It had to have been...

Answer: Maiden Of The Cancer Moon

"Maiden Of The Cancer Moon" was released in 1983 on the UK Psyho label. The source was a live concert from the Filmore East in June of 1968. The cover was a beautiful, glossy gatefold. Many consider this double album to be some of the most psychedelic music ever released by Quicksilver Messenger Service. I'm inclined to agree.

As of 2009 I see copies sell for right around $50.00. It's well worth the price. I had two copies and kept one which will go to my grave with me. Along with several hundred other records. I'm a sick, sick record collector but love every minute of it!