"PET SOUNDS" BACKING CREW DELIVERS EXOTIC PSYCHEDELIC "RAGA ROCK" '66 ORIG Psych

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        HEADY EXOTIC ORIGINAL 1966 PRESSING       ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                          
                                = The Folkswingers =
                   "RAGA ROCK"
            ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..                       USA - WORLD PACIFIC RECORDS - -WP 1846 


FINAL COLLECTION COPY

Original 1966 ORIGINAL ... hard to find and clearly one of the better psychedelic exploitation albums of the era - the real deal - in TOP condition (see below) ...you most likely won't find a better copy!

Sitar psychedelic moods via crafty '66 WEST COAST arrangements

The Folkswingers, a studio-only group comprised of a legendary cast of top Los Angeles session musicians (most of whom played on "PET SOUNDS"), had issued a couple of LPs showcasing the 12-string guitar before leaping on the exotica "psychedelic" raga-rock scene with the aptly titled "Raga Rock" in 1966.

Give the World Pacific label a little credit, though: at least they jumped on the psychedelic real fast, almost right after the term "raga-rock" was first used. Plus, the record employed the cream of the cream from the L.A. rock session world, with Hal Blaine on drums; Larry Knechtel on keyboards; Tommy Tedesco, Howard Roberts, and Herb Ellis on guitar; and Lyle Ritz and Bill Pittman on bass. And it did at least have an actual sitar, courtesy of Harihar Rao, leader of Los Angeles' Ravi Shankar Music Circle and director of the Indian Studies Group at UCLA's Institute of Ethnomusicology.

The grooves throughout BOTH sides are filled with psychedelic rock grooves meshed with Indian ragas. Some of the tunes were natural selections for this sort of project: the Byrds' "Eight Miles High," the Rolling Stones' "Paint It, Black," and the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" were some of the greatest Indian-influenced rock classics ever, and while the Indian influence wasn't as overt on the Yardbirds' "Shapes of Things," it was there. Still, the very idea of raga-rock arrangements of the Association's "Along Comes Mary," the Outsiders' "Time Won't Let Me," Paul Revere & the Raiders' "Kicks," Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound," and (most unexpectedly of all) the Turtles' "Grim Reaper of Love" is kind of AMAZING. The only songs that weren't covers of mid-'60s rock hits were the folk staple "Donna, Donna" (here spelled "Dona, Dona") and the generic title cut, its composition credited to Hollywood arranger George Tipton. Overall, the LP couldn't help but sound like pleasant listening anytime of the day or night, albeit one with a much higher level of instrumental proficiency than the usual such project. Not to mention that they manage to screw up "Norwegian Wood" big time, with a drone that sounds more far-out than an Indian instrument.

Harihar Rao (sitar)
Dennis Budimir (guitar)
Tommy Tedesco (guitar)
Howard Roberts (guitar)
Herb Ellis (guitar)
Bill Pittman (bass)
Larry Knechtel (keyboards)
Lyle Ritz (bass)
          Hal Blaine (drums)                
CONDITION: The cover: rated: "EX" (excellent) ... solid collection copy... no issues, 52 years of age =  there are no delete marks, no split seams, no bends, and no writing  ...

The vinyl: Rated: "EX" (Excellent) / M- this is a TOP copy that plays MINTY-CLEAN!   both World Pacific labels are clean                        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   NOTE: All Items backed by  money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks!   GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M    Completely clean, no marks M-   Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX   Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG   more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops         this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG-  surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps     ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END   BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About  Following Through The Transaction!   ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!