BAKERY "Rock Mass For Love" LP, OZ Prog Rock/Jazz 1971

	A$		30
	$		20

"ROCK MASS FOR LOVE"

BAKERY & JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Original Stereo LP,  Astor  Records ALPS 1032, released  1971. Australian pressing with  lyric/programme insert sheet.

Bakery was formed in Perth at the start of 1970. Regarded as one of the leading "underground" groups of their day, they are remembered for their superb debut album Momento, the innovative Rock Mass for Love LP and the powerful single "No Dying In The Dark".

In the words of encyclopedist Vernon Joyson, Bakery's work: 

"... blended hard rock and country with jazz using complex arrangements. Their main strength was the variety of their music which could switch from gentle acoustic passages to booming heavy progressive assaults on the senses within the same song." 

Rock Mass For Love was an unusual project and a somewhat of a departure from Bakery's usual progressive/hard rock style (although there are certainly some blistering guitar solos from guitarist Peter Walker on a couple of tracks). The album was recorded live at a Mass at St George's Cathedral, Perth on 21 March 1971, in front of 6000 people, with Bakery, a Jazz Ensemble and a liturgy by a Reverend. Although the quality of the live recording in parts leaves something to be desired by todays standards, it is extremely significant in that it was one of the first Australian musical works of its kind, preceding the first Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar by almost a year.

To quote the OZ 70's source MILESAGO ....."Rock Mass For Love tapped into the current interest in what became known as "God Rock" or "Jesus Rock", in which composers sought to communicate the Christian message to young people by setting religious-oriented lyrics in rock or pop music arangements. In large measure, this movement was a direct reaction to the calamitous fall in church attendances that had begun in the Sixties, and the concurrent massive upsurge in the popularity of rock and pop music. Little is known at this stage about how the Bakery album came to be recorded."

Rock Mass for Love was issued in August 1971, narrowly missing the national Top 20, and it was also issued in the USA on the Decca label. Regrettably, like most of Astor's locally-recorded output, it has never been officially re-issued on CD.

Condition:

Record - VG+ :This record is in very good condition. There are some light surface marks/hairlines and a number of sleeve scuffs however it plays very well with great dynamics. Background noise is only heard during some quieter sections of the record or between tracks. There are a few crackles and pops here and there but nothing that overpowers the dynamics of the music. The record still has very good gloss/sheen. The black/silver labels are very clean without writing however there is a tear on the Side B label (see scan).

Cover - VG: Front cover in very good condition with colours still vibrant . There is noticeable ring wear at the extreme top and bottom plus a couple of small sticker removal tears on the top right corner. Corners and edges showing slight rounding however the sleeve opening is still quite crisp. There is a slight 2cm long split along the extreme right top edge of the cover. Rear cover in very good condition with slight ringwear at top and bottom and some biro marks on the extreme upper left hand corner. Spine in very good condition with only a couple of inconspicuous creases. Catalogue number and first part of title very legible (i.e. Rock Mass...) however "For Love" writing on spine shows wear and can only just be read. ]

Insert - The lyric/programme insert sheet is in very good condition without tears, splits or writing. The tan colour is still vibrant. There is some creasing where it has been folded down the middle.

 This is your chance to obtain a unique piece of Australian rock history for your collection. Good luck with your bidding!

Shipping methods and costs:

Within Australia

LP shipped Australia Post regular mail -- $10.50 AUD

Overseas

LP shipped Australia Post Airmail to New Zealand -- $14.80 AUD

LP shipped Australia Post Airmail to Asia/Pacific -- $18.40 AUD

LP shipped Australia Post Airmail to USA/Canada/Middle East -- $21.85 AUD

LP shipped Australia Post Airmail to Europe/ROTW -- $27.25 AUD

All LPs are packed with the record out of the cover to prevent spine damage during transit, padded and then shipped in strong cardboard mailing boxes.