The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band
A Door Inside Your Mind - (4CDs box) Grapefruit Records 2023 Comments:The West Coast Pop Art Experimental band was a rather obscure West Coast band that never really caught on, but who later has achieved a certain cult status. The group released six albums in during 1966-1970, three of which were released on the major Reprise label.
These three, which were the second, third and fourth, are here collected in a 4 CD box, with each of the original albums a CD and with a fourth CD containing alternative takes or mixes, as well as a previously unreleased track in two very different demo versions.
It's fun enough to hear the alternative versions, but in most cases, they don't differ very much from the well-known versions. The single version of "Smell of Incense" is nice to have, but basically it is just a shorter and edited version of the album version.
In addition to the three fine original albums, of which "Part One" in particular is a gem filled with many fine numbers in the early Byrd style, you get a 36-page booklet with lots of exciting information about the group, and its unusual history with the outspoken Bob Markley , who, without being able to play himself, took on the role of leader of the very talented young musicians Michael Lloyd, Shaun Harris, Dan Harris and Ron Morgan.
An absolutely recommendable release
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