The Ghost — When You're Dead — One Second (1970) (UK, Heavy Psychedelic Rock)

The Ghost — When You're Dead — One Second (1970) (UK, Heavy Psychedelic Rock)

The Ghost LP is one of the most fabulous UK psych/prog albums. This Birmingham band is one step ahead psychedelia entering the realm of prog music, yet retaining an atmospheric mind expanding feel through it all.

Loads of Hammond organ swirls, pyrotechnical guitar licks, beautiful accoustic guitar parts, and above it all killer vocal arrangements. The lead-off track, "When You're Dead," is the most effective and famous (at least in the world of psychedelic collectordom) cut. Lead singer Paul Eastment sounds much like Family's Roger Chapman, but even creepier (and more ostentatious), as the group vamp around a skin-crawling riff, anchored by an almost garagey shrill organ.

Yet the second song, "Hearts and Flowers," could almost be the work of an entirely different outfit, with the band's other lead singer, Shirley Kent, shining on a pretty folk tune reminiscent of some of Fairport Convention's most precious early numbers (Shirley would later move on to record the "Fresh Out" LP as Virginia Tree). Top quality remastered sound, an impressing addition to your psych prog collection!



The only album by the Birmingham band, formed in 1969 by singer/guitarist Paul Eastment (ex-Velvett Fogg). Drummer Charlie Grima had previously played with the Wellington Kitch Jump Band. The band was originally called Holy Ghost, but the name was shortened to avoid negative publicity. Singer and composer Shirley Kent later joined the band, and the group began recording the album. The album was released in January 1970 on Gemini Records in the UK and in 1971 on Equipo Records in Spain (the originals are now highly prized by collectors). Their music was a bizarre blend of psychedelia, folk rock, and progressive rock. The album surprisingly combines very tough hard rock numbers with folk ballads, with the hard rock performed by male vocals and the folk by female vocals. Both the male and, especially, the female vocals are undoubtedly excellent. The instrumentals are in the best traditions of the golden period... After leaving the group, Shirley Kent began a solo career and, in 1975, released the album "Fresh Out" under the pseudonym Virginia Tree. Charlie Grima joined Roy Wood's band "Wizzard" and then began an acting career. Danny MacGuire died in 1998.

Tracks:

01. When You're Dead - 0:00

02. Hearts And Flowers - 4:26

03. In Heaven - 7:22

04. Time Is My Enemy - 10:45

05. Too Late To Cry - 14:53

06. For One Second - 19:58

07. Night Of The Warlock - 25:24

08. Indian Maid - 29:46

09. My Castle Has Fallen - 34:09

10. The Storm - 37:07

11. Me And My Loved Ones - 40:45

12. I've Got To Get To Know You - 44:56


Personnel:

Paul Eastment – ​​lead guitar, lead vocals
Terry Guy – organ, piano
Shirley Kent – ​​acoustic guitar, tambourine, lead vocals
Daniel MacGuire – bass
Charlie Grima – drums, percussion