"I've crawled around caves and books; I've seen the blue parade."
With roots in the Tucson neo-psych scene of the late seventies and early eighties (the same milieu that produced Howie Gelb's Giant Sand), Green on Red left for the more fertile underground musical pastures of L.A., relocating there in 1981, and, so the story goes, playing an instrumental role in solidifying The Paisley Underground scene by holding weekly barbecues at their Hollywood apartment, which were regularly attended by members of bands such as The Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade. As Steve Wynn (of The Dream Syndicate) recalls, "Every Sunday, we’d get together for a barbecue, bring tons of alcohol and whatever drugs—lots of burgers and chicken—and we’d just sit around, play guitar, and talk. That’s how the friendships happened, not in nightclubs or recording studios." Gravity Talks, the band's first long player after releasing two EPs, features the early line-up before the arrival of guitarist Chuck Prophet and with him, a much more overtly country/roots-based sound. This is not to say that Gravity Talks is a straight up neo-psyche record because signs of Green on Red's roots music origins are everywhere, but Chris Cacavas' Manzarek-style contributions on electric organ lend the album its distinctive (and quite memorable) psychedelic character. Admittedly, Dan Stuart's whiney country-tinged vocals can be an acquired taste, but juxtaposed to the album's psychedelic overtones, they give the songs some Garage-Rock authenticity. Many of the songs on Gravity Talks meditate on death and the irretrievable loss of childhood. For example, on "Blue Parade," which features some lovely, haunting organ-work from Cacavas, Stuart, in one of his best vocal performances, sings about loss, ranging from a dead dog's unplanned exhumation to finding a parent dead in a bedroom. The title track, a catchy garage-rocker with an irresistible Doors-style electric organ hook, features Stuart at his snotty, Jagger-esque best. Green on Red's later more roots-oriented albums, such as Gas Food Lodging, are usually cited as their best work, but Gravity Talks, coming as it does midway between the band's overtly psychedelic and roots-rock phases, catches the band at their creative peak, and is a true classic of The Paisley Underground.
Gravity Talks (2003 Re-Issue)
1. Gravity Talks (2:38)
2. Old Chief (3:31)
3. 5 Easy Pieces (2:23)
4. Deliverance (5:47)
5. Over My Head (3:07)
6. Snake Bit (4:29)
7. Alice (4:11)
8. Blue Parade (4:32)
9. That's What You're Here For (2:12)
10. Brave Generation (4:17)
11. Abigail's Ghost (2:42)
12. Cheap Wine (4:11)
13. Narcolepsy (5:38)
Gravity Talks is another excellent choice for the Paisley Underground Series. Many thanks. Kurt
ReplyDeleteOne of the best albums came out from the Paisley Underground scene. Thanks voixautre.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great and honest album. "Gravity Talks" with it's cheesy organ is worth the download alone.
ReplyDeleteWow that description of the Sunday get together sounds like so much fun! Oh to be a fly on the wall.
ReplyDeleteKurt, we're just getting started. This series may extend past 100 posts given how much material I've gathered
ReplyDeletefrankroo, I completely agree. I remember seeing a video for the song "Gravity Talks" on a local video show back in 1983; unfortunately, it's nowhere to be found in cyber-space
ReplyDeletescurfie, completely agree. It has a pretty irresistible hook
ReplyDeleteutopia banished, I know what you mean: barbecued chicken and LSD; what could be better than that? :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy drinking cheap wine, or whatever. Marvelous!!!
ReplyDeleteranxerox, thank you, I will ;)
ReplyDeleteYes! Thanks for posting this gem.
ReplyDeletepiltdownlad, you're welcome!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite bands of Americana and Alternative Country.
ReplyDeleteI never heard this one. I've got few cds from the next album "Gas Food Lodging" and on, so I'm looking forward for this.
Lon, this is my favorite Green on Red album. It will be interesting to see how you think it compares to the later stuff
ReplyDeletejeez, where have i been? i've never heard of these guys... am only up to track four and i love it already, thanks voixautre! brilliant! they remind me ever so slightly of the Clean
ReplyDeleteMighty Green on Red,1 of my favorites,no doubt.
ReplyDeleteHope you gonna post ''Green on Red'' EP (1982).
bedlam, interesting comparison. I love The Clean. Green on Red's later stuff is more rootsy
ReplyDeletesunday, yes, I have both early EPs as MP3 320 vinyl rips. I also have the self-titled EP as part of a comp with another album. These will appear in the series at some point
ReplyDeletenot strictly australian, but the clean are close enough. think i'll post some soon voixautre
ReplyDeletebedlam, love the new layout on your blog
ReplyDeletethanks voixautre, i figured i should try and make it load quicker and make stuff easier to find
ReplyDeleteOnly a band like GOR could put out a song titled "5 Easy Pieces". When I was rebuilding my GOR collection in CDs, I was frustrated by the fact that this CD came out so late. They were truly way ahead of their time. It's good to know people are still discovering their legacy even now (keep up the good work voixautre).
ReplyDeletecudawaver, I guess that is my main reason for doing this series: all these great bands that too few people know even existed. It's going to take forever, but my desire is to post everything possible from most of them
ReplyDeleteJust listened to this rip. It's a lot warmer than the lame 128 bitrate version I got from my CD before I sold it during the lean times... what was I thinking? All those CDs, reduced to a thin veil of their glory... Anyway, for your PU series, please don't forget True West. Thanks...
ReplyDeletepiltdownlad, don't worry, I will post as much True West as I can muster. They are coming up soon :)
ReplyDeletegreen on red is the best paisley abnd i think .
ReplyDeleteIm looking for this :
http://www.discogs.com/Green-On-Red-Eight-Miles-High/release/1970523
!
thanks
please reup the flac file.
ReplyDelete