RARE 70s ORIG PENTWATER HARD RAW COMPLEX PROG PSYCH

$

250

           RARE Original... 70's PRIVATE PRESS

              RAW PROGRESSIVE ROCK GEM

                PENTWATER

\                                 USA - PRIVATE PRESS - BEEF RECORDS 

TOP COPY!

Super Rare = Seldom Seen ORIGINAL = mid 70's private press Heavy USA Prog top collectible...on wish lists around the globe....

It is always a joy to discover a classic-period prog band from the U.S. There were few of them but they were usually good, or at least compelling, and they took influence from America's small but important prog scene as well as from Britain and Europe. When the leaders - guitarist/violinist Mike Konopka, drummer Thomas Orsi and the keys of Ken Kappel - are self-taught, it makes these compositions that much more impressive. A five-piece formed in 1970 from the shards of various Chicago groups, Pentwater played covers of classic rock but soon started writing original material and after working hard, began opening for big acts as Rush and Starcastle giving Midwestern audiences their own version of progressive rock bombast and excess. This mid 70's release is the portrait of a band with enormous potential, and with a bit more time and a good producer, they could have found a wide, wide audience. Of course  by the later 70's progressive rock's recession was just around the corner, thus Pentwater's brand of complex and challenging rock was sadly ignored. Along with Cathedral's Stained Glass Stories and Yezda Urfa's Sacred Baboon, not to mention the private Albotross, PENTWATER is another rough-cut gem in the crown of stateside prog.

The blood curdling screams of 'Frustration Mass' introduce an unsettled tone that runs throughout, the music gradually revealing a thoroughly progressive direction showing jagged lines and smart patterns. Bluesy 'Living Room Displays' breaks open with Kappel's ecclesiastic organ and tasteful use of synthesizer, the slow heroin pace of 'Orphan Girl' has room for thematic variance with dreamy space rock, ornate dual guitars laced with keys and counterpointed vocals. Influences are many: ala the great UK progressives, but never in distracting abundance, the ensemble fluid in its quiet but efficient use of different styles. Rather strong 'Palendrone' rocks a hard anthem, and Konopka's teetering string work harmonies open the completely terrific 'War', a bellicose instrumental in the vein of the Tarkus suite, aggressive in all the right ways... driving, unrelenting keyboard-based prog at its very best and a must hear. The gruesome 'Death' submurges the murky waters of doom, followed by the refreshing 'Gwen's Madrigal', a light folk number with group vocals, flute & strings, that grows into a miniature symphony about the daydreams of a young woman.

The album features a charming basment production, and the material may not seem too distinguished, but the gold is abundant in repeat plays and these guys should delight lovers of progressive rock at its finest.

- Tom Orsi / percussion, vocals
- Mike Konopka / guitar, flute, violin, vocals percussion
- Ken Kappel / keyboards, theremin, vocals
- Ron LeSaar / bass, vocals

Side 1
1. AM
2. Living Room Displays
3. Memo
4. Orphan Girl

Side 2
5. Frustration Mass
6. Palendrode
7. War
8. Gwen's Madrigal

CONDITION: The Cover: promo slice at top right corner, M- otherwise stiff amd solid all over,  TOP level...front and back cover near perfect sans the promo mark...no split seams, no bends, no writing...highly collectible... 

The Vinyl: all glossy clean and clear M- and plays outstanding...clear and sonic....both custom 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