Spur
was an unknown Illinois band who gained some local notoriety in the
late 60’s but never hit the big time (they opened for many of the era’s
big bands: The Byrds, Cream, Bob Seger, Steve Miller and The Grateful
Dead). For Spur of the Moments, Drag City
compiled the best tracks from their sole album (1968-), along with
several outtakes and rare 45 cuts. Tons of blogs and rock
magazines/fanzines have reviewed this gem,
so we figured we’d give our own spin on this exciting new reissue.
so we figured we’d give our own spin on this exciting new reissue.
While Spur of the Moments is by no means a cohesive, album-like statement, each song is finely crafted 60’s rock n roll that’s well worth a spin. Spur started out life as a garage band who called themselves The Unknowns. The Unknowns would eventually change their name to Spur
and touch on a variety of classic 60’s sounds: garage, folk-rock, heavy
psych and country-rock. It must’ve been a challenge to assemble and
piece together this anthology. Spur
were certainly long-lived by 60’s standards (1965-1972) but they were
also a group who frequently revamped their sound/style and spent very
little time in the recording studio. That being said, Drag City does a
great job putting all their highlights together in one convenient place.
The
LP’s first five cuts are its most brilliant ones. We begin with “Mind
Odyssey,” a classic slice of psychedelic country-rock that’s highlighted
by fluid guitar work and mild studio experimentation. With “Tribal
Gathering,” Spur turns a
classic Byrds track into a 14 minute Grateful Dead-like acid
guitar jam. “Time Is Now,” another great performance, is quality West
Coast psychedelia with good harmonies (about mid way through), fuzz
guitar and a strong Jefferson Airplane feel. These 3 cuts also suggest
that Spur may have been listening to The Byrds’ Notorious Byrd Brothers album.
“Modern Era,” a 1966 single which was originally backed by a cover of
Gene Clark’s “Feel A Whole Lot Better” (not included), recalls 5D Byrds,
with it’s punchy, jangley guitars and acid fried lyrics – definitely a
keeper. “Mr. Creep,” a terrific cut from Spur’s
sole album, sports cool, distorted vocals, razor sharp guitars
and bizarre lyrics (great, twisted garage psych). Other fine tracks: Spur’s
excellent country-rock take on The Beatles’ classic “Eight Days A Week”
(banjo and steel guitar make me think of a cross between Dillard & Clark and The Flying Burrito Brothers), the suprising power pop of “Help Me I’m Falling” and the jumpy garage number “Be Tender, My Love.”
Spur of the Moments
is only being offered on vinyl and MP3 formats (not cd). This is
certainly one of the better reissues of 2010. A good one to own if
you’re into Moby Grape, The Byrds or Buffalo Springfield.http://therisingstorm.net/spur-spur-of-the-moments/
:
01 mind odyssey.mp3
02 mr. creep.mp3
03 tribal gathering - we don't want to know.mp3
04 modern era.mp3
05 time is now.mp3
06 be tender, my love.mp3
07 you could help me ease the pain.mp3
08 all over the world.mp3
09 help me i'm falling.mp3
10 eight days a week.mp3
11 yield not.mp3
02 mr. creep.mp3
03 tribal gathering - we don't want to know.mp3
04 modern era.mp3
05 time is now.mp3
06 be tender, my love.mp3
07 you could help me ease the pain.mp3
08 all over the world.mp3
09 help me i'm falling.mp3
10 eight days a week.mp3
11 yield not.mp3
Stan Bratzke - vocals, electric and acoustic guitar
Jimmy Fey - vocals, six-string lead guitar
Ed Kalotek - keyboard, six-string and 12-string lead guitar
Stix Maxwell - drums and percussion
Rick Willard - vocals and bass
Jimmy Fey - vocals, six-string lead guitar
Ed Kalotek - keyboard, six-string and 12-string lead guitar
Stix Maxwell - drums and percussion
Rick Willard - vocals and bass
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