Headstone Circus

As reported by the previous reviewer, Headstone Circus is a mixture of vocal harmonies a la Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, but containing slashing guitar work by Mike Johnstone that gives the band a much edgier feel than C,S,N&Y. The 12 tracks contained here are evidence that the band deserved a much better fate than befell it. Thanks once again to German specialty label, Shadoks Records, a truly "lost" gem on late 60s/early 70s rock finally sees the light of day and more importantly reaches the ears of pscyh rock fans worldwide. The sound quality on the release is incredible considering the age of the master tapes, and is well balanced with the bass driving the sound, the guitars slicing in and out, and the vocals gently wafting throughout. Usually "lost gems" contain 1 or 2 great songs and lots of bland filler. Not the case at all with Headstone Circus. Had the quartet found a label in their heyday this band could really have gone places. But twas not the case, so only this 53 minute release documents their existence. Highlights include the opening hard rocker "I'm Goin' Down," and the guitar driven "I'm Crazy" with the two guitar attack of Johnstone and songwriter Glenn Finea putting the pedal to the metal. In the end it is the versatility of the quartet that is most impressive. Pick this fine release up. You certainly will not regret it.

"Headstone Circus" is another classic rock band which deserved a better destiny, but went into obscurity instead. Some say that it was formed circa 1966 by the singer Glenn Faria, while others insist that Glenn Faria joined the core of the band (Mike Johnstone - lead guitar, Nick Bonis - bass, Randy "Ray" Pope - drums), and with his arrival the music of the band shifted from strong psychedelia towards more mild and acceptable songs which remind the best of Crosby, Stills & Nash and/or Neil Young. Up to a certain extend it's a West Coast "mainstream" built on beatiful vocal harmonies (the voices are masculine, not immature boyish singing). At the same time, the musicians are still looking into other direction - few tracks ("You don't know") are very much in line with early Grand Funk (and well done!), while "Healer" reminds Jethro Tull. The album was recorded between 1968-1970 in Washington and, generally speaking, this is what is left from the band.Collector's item - from "Shadocks"

Dal punto de vista musicale è eccellente, un suono rock- psichedelico con armonie vocali somigliante a Crosby Stills Nash. Anche molto belli i pezzi acustici. Il servizio di consegna ottimo.