SAGITTARIUS Present Tense LP Orig US Psych Gary Usher

$

52

Artist: Sagittarius
Title: Present Tense
Label: Columbia
Format:     12" Vinyl LP
Country:  USA
Catalogue# CS 9644
Year: 1967
Condition (cover): EXCELLENT+
Condition (vinyl): EXCELLENT


"Released in early 1968 to the world completely oblivious of who Sagittarius were, this soft-psych masterpiece, and a true monument to harmonies and intricate, ornate arrangements, languished in cut-out bins before quietly fading into the oblivion; alas, over the years its reputation grew to the point where it became a venerable cult classic. If you are familiar with "Nuggets", Lenny Kaye’s legendary Elektra psych/garage compilation from 1972, then you are certainly familiar with "My World Fell Down", the song which is a Sagittarius’ entry in this great compilation (by the way, I never quite understood why Lenny opted to put it there; it is a gorgeous ballad, which has more in common with the Beatles or late-period Everly Brothers than with the likes of Shadows of the Knight and Amboy Dukes, with which it shares the album; on "Nuggets" it simply sticks out like a sore thumb among other, testosterone-drenched entries; The only true ‘natural habitat’ of this song is this album; an environment of psych ballads and ragas of indescribable beauty).
 
A brief history of this gorgeous song: Gary Usher, the legendary producer of many early 60’s Surf bands (not to mention the best two Byrds’ albums they ever recorded: ‘Younger than Yesterday’, and ‘Notorious Byrd Brothers’) first offered this song to Chad & Jeremy who were then in their Psych phase (circa "The Ark") and who immediately and in no unclear terms rejected any suggestion that they record the song (which turned out to be a mistake of galactic proportions). Disappointed, Gary Usher teamed with the young guy named Curt Boettcher, then a Columbia engineer, to create "Sagittarius", a 2-men band which became their pet project and a true labor of love. This album, which they carefully crafted over many, many days and hours spent in the studio, represents the proverbial masterpiece of gentle harmonies, intelligent arrangements and catchy musical and lyrical phrases. It is truly a psychedelic experience of the highest order. Words fall well short in describing this album. It just has to be heard."
 

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