Sweetwater - Sweetwater (us 1968 psychedelic blend jazz, rock, blues and classical influences)
- 6 months ago
Sweetwater - Sweetwater (us 1968 psychedelic blend jazz, rock, blues and classical influences)
In the late 60’s the USA Psychedelic/Proto Prog movement was full of great artists ahead of
their time but the band that pioneered the fusion of Rock, Classical, Folk and Jazz was a modest
group of kids from Los Angeles called SWEETWATER.
They didn’t just limited to hiring a Symphony Orchestra to enhance the music, instead they were
one of the first USA bands to include Cello, flute and Congas to the usual rock instruments,
having a lineup of eight official members (plus guests), something pretty unusual for 1968.
It’s unclear if they joined in 1967 or 1968, but due to the excellent voice of Nansi Nevins plus
the absolutely innovative and eclectic blend of influences in their music they were immediately
recruited by Warner Reprise and released their self titled debut album “Sweetwater”.
This LP was ahead of their time, the killer keyboards of Alex Delzoppo were efficiently
backgrounded by the unusual (for that moment) flute of Albert Moore, Cello by August Burns and
Conga of the amazing Elpidio Cobian plus the usual instruments of a Rock band.
They toured with and/ or shared the bill with every major act of the time, including: Jimi
Hendrix, the Doors, Cream, the Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Co. w/ Janis Joplin,
C S N & Y, the Who, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Chicago, Chuck Berry, Spirit, the Allman
Bros., E.L.P., Joe Cocker, War, Linda Rondstadt, Santana, Joan Baez, Beach Boys, Steve Miller,
Chambers Bros., and many others.
The group performed on all major network television shows (Red Skelton, Steve Allen, Playboy
After Dark, Hollywood Palace, American Bandstand, Etc.), and at all major national rock venues
and pop festivals of the time including WOODSTOCK, where they were the first band to play.
In December of 1969 their lead vocalist, Nancy Nevins, was hit by a drunken driver, suffering
nearly fatal injuries including a severely damaged vocal cord.
Awaiting her recovery, the band continued to gather fans with their exciting performances while
releasing two more albums on Warner/ Reprise, “Just For You” and “Melon”.
However, Nancy's prolonged recovery as well as other pressures forced them to eventually
disband.
Tracklisting:
01.Motherless Child 5:09
02.Here We Go Again 2:34
03.For Pete's Sake 2:53
04.Come Take a Walk 3:51
05.What's Wrong 4:04
06.In a Rainbow 3:18
07.My Crystal Spider 3:57
08.Rondeau 1:19
09.Two Worlds 3:59
10.Through an Old Storybook 2:35
11.Why Oh Why 3:01
Formed 1968, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Members:
*Albert Moore (flute)
*Alan Malarowitz (drums)
*August Burns (cello)
*Elpidio Cobian [aka Pete] (conga)
*Nancy Nevins (lead vocals)
*Alex Del Zoppo (keyboards)
*Fred Herrera (bass)
*Joe Bruley (guitar)
*Mike Williams (drums)
*Henry Arias (percussion)
In the late 60’s the USA Psychedelic/Proto Prog movement was full of great artists ahead of
their time but the band that pioneered the fusion of Rock, Classical, Folk and Jazz was a modest
group of kids from Los Angeles called SWEETWATER.
They didn’t just limited to hiring a Symphony Orchestra to enhance the music, instead they were
one of the first USA bands to include Cello, flute and Congas to the usual rock instruments,
having a lineup of eight official members (plus guests), something pretty unusual for 1968.
It’s unclear if they joined in 1967 or 1968, but due to the excellent voice of Nansi Nevins plus
the absolutely innovative and eclectic blend of influences in their music they were immediately
recruited by Warner Reprise and released their self titled debut album “Sweetwater”.
This LP was ahead of their time, the killer keyboards of Alex Delzoppo were efficiently
backgrounded by the unusual (for that moment) flute of Albert Moore, Cello by August Burns and
Conga of the amazing Elpidio Cobian plus the usual instruments of a Rock band.
They toured with and/ or shared the bill with every major act of the time, including: Jimi
Hendrix, the Doors, Cream, the Grateful Dead, Big Brother & The Holding Co. w/ Janis Joplin,
C S N & Y, the Who, Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Chicago, Chuck Berry, Spirit, the Allman
Bros., E.L.P., Joe Cocker, War, Linda Rondstadt, Santana, Joan Baez, Beach Boys, Steve Miller,
Chambers Bros., and many others.
The group performed on all major network television shows (Red Skelton, Steve Allen, Playboy
After Dark, Hollywood Palace, American Bandstand, Etc.), and at all major national rock venues
and pop festivals of the time including WOODSTOCK, where they were the first band to play.
In December of 1969 their lead vocalist, Nancy Nevins, was hit by a drunken driver, suffering
nearly fatal injuries including a severely damaged vocal cord.
Awaiting her recovery, the band continued to gather fans with their exciting performances while
releasing two more albums on Warner/ Reprise, “Just For You” and “Melon”.
However, Nancy's prolonged recovery as well as other pressures forced them to eventually
disband.
Tracklisting:
01.Motherless Child 5:09
02.Here We Go Again 2:34
03.For Pete's Sake 2:53
04.Come Take a Walk 3:51
05.What's Wrong 4:04
06.In a Rainbow 3:18
07.My Crystal Spider 3:57
08.Rondeau 1:19
09.Two Worlds 3:59
10.Through an Old Storybook 2:35
11.Why Oh Why 3:01
Formed 1968, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Members:
*Albert Moore (flute)
*Alan Malarowitz (drums)
*August Burns (cello)
*Elpidio Cobian [aka Pete] (conga)
*Nancy Nevins (lead vocals)
*Alex Del Zoppo (keyboards)
*Fred Herrera (bass)
*Joe Bruley (guitar)
*Mike Williams (drums)
*Henry Arias (percussion)