CLEAN 1969 Orig THE TRINITY AUGER DRISCOLL TOP PROG

$

172

                    THE  TRINITY

                  STREET  NOISE

\                                                              USA - ATCO RECORDS - SD 2 - 70

Original 1969 first pressing 2xLP in thick gatefold cover ...Four decades later the incredible performances captured on this album still have the power to shock and awe the progressive listener. What keeps this recording from being a bonafide "masterpiece" is the fact that it would have benefited greatly from some discreet editing and been pared down to a single album. But this was released at the end of the "anything goes" sixties and restraint was not necessarily a virtue in those heady times.

"Tropic of Capricorn" is a very progressive tune written by Brian "Auge" Auger that demonstrates right off the bat one of the main reasons to love this band. The Hammond organ. Brian is a monster and the fire he ignites every time he takes a ride is quite evident on this number. Clive "Toli" Thacker throws in a subtle but effective drum solo, as well. Yet nothing can prepare you for the dynamic entrance of vocalist Julie "Jools" Driscoll as her unique vocal stylizations rise impressively from her eclectic "Czechoslovakia," a strange mix of David "Lobs" Ambrose's acoustic guitar and Auger's organ that defines the term "eclectic." It's hard not to be affected by their creative and sometimes unnerving symbolic presentation of the strife and tragedies that country suffered in the summer of '68. Variety is the spice of life and their refreshing take on "Take Me to the Water" appears like a spiritual oasis after the darkness of the previous cut. The tune starts soulfully, then breaks into an all-out rave by the end with Jools raising the roof. Her brief "A Word About Color" is next and it's just her and an acoustic guitar but there's nothing laid-back or meek about her delivery. Ever.

Their cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire" is what may get you started on Auger's work and when you hear it you'll understand why. They decided to make it even jazzier and expressive and the result is nothing short of genius. Julie's erotic and near-orgasmic delivery takes your breath away as she makes the tune her own and Brian's sensuous organ lead is a treat, as well. This track is the highlight of the album and singularly worth the price of admission. "Indian Rope Man" is a hard-charging rocker that shows their more powerful side. Not only does Jools grab you by the collar with forceful words like "Indian rope man sees the times/splitting loose the edge of minds/catching losers in his line" but Auger's solo will tear your head off. If you haven't come to admire Driscoll's artistry by now, her stunning performance on "When I Was a Young Girl" has got to be the clincher. It's a haunting vocal and organ piece that slowly builds to an amazingly emotional crescendo and guarantee you'll never forget Julie's gut-wrenching wails that take her voice flying into the highest registers imaginable. The more contemporary sound of "The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)" from the then-controversial musical "Hair" will make you forget The Fifth Dimension's sappy "Age of Aquarius" for all time to come.

Brian's "Ellis Island" starts with a typical 60s-styled clavinet riff but then gets hotter than Hades as the tight rhythm section of Thacker and Ambrose glide underneath Auger's jet-fueled, screaming organ ride. If you are a fan of the Hammond sound then you can't afford to overlook this album. Brian's funky "Finally Found You Out" is next and, while it was supposed to have vocals, time restrictions kept that from happening so they left it in as an instrumental. Good thing, too, because Auger's organ lead will curl your hair and, if you stand too close to the speakers, it might set your clothes ablaze...no kidding.

The prog-folk leanings of Julie's "Vauxhall to Lambeth Bridge" is an intriguing adventure into uncharted territory where she and Ambrose weave a courageous free-form pattern using just expressive vocals and beautiful acoustic guitar. The group's cover of Miles Davis' "All Blues" is one of the favorite versions of that classic. Driscoll hypnotizes with her expert phrasing and Brian shows off his jazz piano skills. It's too cool for words. "I Got Life" (another song from "Hair") follows and it's a fantastic showcase for Jools' versatility as she paints the intricate but expressive lyrics all over the aural spectrum. You just gotta hear this lady sing! And there's no better way to end an album than with a Laura Nyro composition like "Save the Country." This heartfelt plea for peace and harmony is perfect for Jools' emotional voice as she soars like an eagle over the band's energetic groove.

Side One:
1. Tropic of Capricorn (5:32)
2. Czechoslovakia (6:21)
3.Take Me to the Water (4:17)
4. Word About Colour (1:38)

Side Two:
5. Light My Fire (4:21)
6. Indian Rope Man (3:22)
7. When I Was a Young Girl (7:03)
8. Flesh Failures [Let the Sunshine In](3:04)

Side Three:
9. Ellis Island (4:10)
10. In Search of the Sun (4:22)
11. Finally Found You Out (4:12)
12. Looking in the Eye of the World (5:02)

 Side Four:
13. Vauxhall to Lambeth Bridge (6:31)
14. All Blues Davis (5:41)
15. I've Got Life (4:28)
16. Save the Country (3:58)

CONDITION: The thick matte gatefold cover is clean..."EX" (excellent) ...hard to find this cream colored cover without lots of dirt and soil...this copy is very decent and collection ready...no split seams, no writing, no split seams, has a very small (small) delete mark at bottom, hardly noticable. Otherwise solid.

The vinyl records aer both clean...all 4 sides are glossy clear, M-

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record