CLEAN 1970 GOSPAL OAK Pleasant Rural & Blues Hippies

$

39

RARE UNDERGROUND ROCK COLLECTIBLE ~ 1970 ORIGINAL                            

                      GOSPEL OAK

\                                                      USA - KAPP Records - KS3635

Rare and sought 1970 original with thick gatefold cover featuring cool guitar structured self penned compositions that altogether has struck the fancy of collectors worldwide...first pressings have therefore become hard to find...of the 3500+ Lp's we list each year on eBay, we might find and offer 2 copies per year, to give an idea of its 'rarity'...

GOSPEL OAK....

Matthew Kelly was a Californian who'd previously attracted attention playing blues harmonica and touring with the likes of John Lee Hooker, and T-Bone Walker. The man clearly had some chops to be supporting names like that. Kelly soon found himself caught-up in San Francisco's burgeoning rock scene. He added electric guitar to his repertoire...and soon formed a group called "Horses"...they released one album in 1969.

Originally from Indiana, Gospel Oak's Mathew Kelly (harp, percussion & guitar), drummer Kerry Gaines, keyboardist Cliff Hall, guitarist Gordon Huntley, lead guitarist Bob Le Gate, and singer/bassist John Rapp found themselves in England. They somehow managed to attract the attention of Beatles publicist Tony Barrow. Barrow signed on as manager and used his connections to get the band a record deal with Kapp Records. The label then decided to ship the group to London to record their self titled (and only) LP.  Musically "Gospel Oak" goes from pleasant rural rock to harder edged blues rock with Rapp and Le Gate responsible for most of the material, tracks like 'Recollections of Jessica' and 'Big Fat White Man' were pleanant rural-rock complete with nice melodies and catchy group harmonies. Showcasing Kelly's harmonica and Le Gate's lead guitar 'Brown Haired Girl', 'Common Expressions' and 'South Bleach' offered up a harder edged blues sound, while 'Go Talk To Rachel' and 'O.K. Sam' found the group taking a stab at a more conventional and accessable rock attack. Propelled by some nifty Le Gate guitar leads, best of the lot was the album-closer 'St. Anne's Pretension'.  The album is very enjoyable, and certainly likeable -- with these ingredients these guys could have been major players. 

"Gospel Oak"
(side 1)
1.) Brown Haired Girl
2.) Common Expressions
3.) Recollections of Jessica
4.) Big Fat White Man
5.) South Bleach

(side 2)
1.) Why We Came
2.) Go Talk To Rachel
3.) O.K. Sam
4.) St. Anne's Pretension

CONDITION: The triple thick gatefold cover is solid, all the seams are tight, no bends, delete drill at top right corner, shelf wear starting on back cover, front cover is clean, VG++ overall.

The vinyl is all glossy clear and clean, M-

Includes the original 1970 KAPP Records printed inner sleeve

      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