Name: Amazing Charlatans
Brand: Big Beat UK
SKU: 161417
Price: 12.46 GBP
Availability: InStock

Amazing Charlatans

Rating

Album: Amazing Charlatans
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Codine Blues	More Info...	0:02
2)	Alabama Bound	More Info...	0:06
3)	I Always Wanted a Girl Like You	More Info...	0:01
4)	I Saw Her	More Info...	0:02
5)	How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?	More Info...	0:02
6)	32-20	More Info...	0:02
7)	We're Not On the Same Trip	More Info...	0:03
8)	Walkin'	More Info...	0:03
9)	Sweet Sue, Just You	More Info...	0:03
10)	East Virginia	More Info...	0:01
11)	The Shadow Knows	More Info...	0:02
12)	I Got Mine	More Info...	0:02
13)	Steppin' in Society	More Info...	0:01
14)	Devil Got My Man	More Info...	0:02
15)	By Hook Or By Crook	More Info...	0:02
16)	'Long Come A Viper	More Info...	0:02
17)	Sidetrack	More Info...	0:02
18)	Alabama Bound	More Info...	0:02
19)	Number One	More Info...	0:04
20)	Baby Won't You Tell Me	More Info...	0:03
21)	Jack of Diamonds	More Info...	0:05
22)	The Blues Ain't Nothin'	More Info...	0:05
23)	Groom N' Clean AD	More Info...

Album: Amazing Charlatans
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Codine Blues	More Info...	0:02
2)	Alabama Bound	More Info...	0:06
3)	I Always Wanted a Girl Like You	More Info...	0:01
4)	I Saw Her	More Info...	0:02
5)	How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?	More Info...	0:02
6)	32-20	More Info...	0:02
7)	We're Not On the Same Trip	More Info...	0:03
8)	Walkin'	More Info...	0:03
9)	Sweet Sue, Just You	More Info...	0:03
10)	East Virginia	More Info...	0:01
11)	The Shadow Knows	More Info...	0:02
12)	I Got Mine	More Info...	0:02
13)	Steppin' in Society	More Info...	0:01
14)	Devil Got My Man	More Info...	0:02
15)	By Hook Or By Crook	More Info...	0:02
16)	'Long Come A Viper	More Info...	0:02
17)	Sidetrack	More Info...	0:02
18)	Alabama Bound	More Info...	0:02
19)	Number One	More Info...	0:04
20)	Baby Won't You Tell Me	More Info...	0:03
21)	Jack of Diamonds	More Info...	0:05
22)	The Blues Ain't Nothin'	More Info...	0:05
23)	Groom N' Clean AD	More Info...

Performer Notes

The Charlatans: Mike Wilhelm (vocals, guitar); George Hunter (vocals, autoharp); Richard Olsen (vocals, bass); Dan Hicks (vocals, drums); Michael Ferguson (keyboards).
Contains 23 tracks.
Personnel: Lynne Hughes (vocals, guitar); Dan Hicks (vocals); Hank Bradley (violin); Patrick Gogerty (piano).
Liner Note Author: Alec Palao.
Photographer: Herbert Greene.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Dan Hicks; Mike Wilhelm.
Arrangers: Dan Hicks; Patrick Gogerty; Mike Wilhelm.
After almost 30 years, there's finally a definitive document of one of the first San Francisco psychedelic groups -- or, at least, as definitive a document as surviving tapes allow. This compilation assembles 23 tracks from their demos for the Kama Sutra and Autumn labels, as well as a couple of later sessions recorded at San Francisco area studios. Much of this material has been bootlegged previously, on both vinyl and tape, but here it appears in its best fidelity to date by far. Those expecting psychedelic fireworks will be surprised. There's some acid-soaked folk-rock here (most notably "We're Not on the Same Trip" and "I Saw Her," the two best cuts), but on the whole, it's much more of a travelog of roots music, with white blues, jug band, folk, country, and music hall influences much more to the fore. Sure, the Charlatans never really got the opportunity to flex their muscles in the studio, but it's also true that they didn't possess either the songwriting or instrumental chops to rival the Jefferson Airplane or Moby Grape. If you gear your expectations to the appropriate level, there's plenty of good-time mid- to late-'60s Bay Area rock to savor here. Big Beat's meticulous packaging and programming also ensures that an important chapter in psychedelic/San Francisco music has been properly presented for the first time. ~ Richie Unterberger

Professional Reviews

Q (12/96, p.151) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...rescues 23 unreleased examples of economic beat pop, primitive country rock and exploratory psychedelia from their 1965-'68 heyday....Vindication for the Charlatans' legend..."