I wrote this book to attempt to crystallise my thoughts on the best Rock albums of all time. Having lived through it all – from the fifties right through to the present – having see nearly all the major acts live (most in small clubs) – and having run the country’s first History Of Rock Music class and written books on it – I felt that I was in a unique position to express an opinion.
Country Joe and the Fish were one of my favourites. This is an extract from the book.
- Country Joe & the Fish – Electric Music for the Body & Mind
I can still remember the first time I heard Country Joe & the Fish – Barry Melton’s unique West Coast Acid guitar sound completely blew my skull off. On top of that was Country Joe McDonald’s smooth crystal clear voice. Mike played it to me in his tiny room and I instantly knew that this was something completely different. It was a toss up between this album and the follow up ‘I feel like I’m fixing to die’. They are both equally brilliant in my ears. I went for this one as it was the first one I had heard and it made such an impression on me. It epitomised San Franciscan Acid Rock with its political edge and super tripped out music that sent your mind soaring.
I was introduced to this by my friend Mike who worked in the same bread factory as me. He was in to the whole West Coast scene and was attempting to grow his hair as long as he could. I remember that he refused to brush it because he was certain that would create split ends and the hair would break off and not get so long. Country Joe and Captain Beefheart were his favourite bands.
The stand out tracks for me were ‘Not so sweet Martha Lorraine,’ ‘Flyin’ High’ and ‘Porpoise mouth’ but I loved it all. The long trippy sound they created on ‘Grace’ and ‘Bass strings’ was so redolent of the times with Barry Melton’s spacey guitar. For a time they were my favourite band.
Do you know the story of “Bass Strings”?
Remind me. It doesn’t ring a bell.
Guitar player, so tripping stoned, could only see these really fat strings in front of him.
That is funny. I’ve never heard that.
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
I thought I’d put this out with the gig review.
I always thought Country Joe and the Fish were a notch above the rest.
One of my favourites too – though I think they ran out of ideas!
A measure of greatness is longevity. Ella Fitzgerald, Sir Paul, Sir Paul Simon – continuously brilliant.
Yes you are right! Many fall by the wayside.