The United States of America — The United States of America 1968 (USA, Psychedelic Rock)

The United States of America — The United States of America 1968 (USA, Psychedelic Rock)

"The United States of America" ​​is the only album by the American band of the same name, perhaps one of the most striking examples of psychedelic music of the late 1960s. As is often the case, the band's experiments were far ahead of their time. Released in March 1968, "The United States of America" ​​peaked at number 181 on the Billboard 200. Since then, the album has been reissued several times, both on LP and CD, and, unknown to the general public, continues to delight music critics and discerning music lovers for over forty years. The United States of America was formed in 1967 by Joseph Byrd, who was already interested in electronic music and played the electric harpsichord, organ, and calliope (a type of steam organ that uses locomotive whistles and is named after the ancient Greek muse Calliope) and the Durrett synthesizer. The group included: Dorothy Moskowitz (wonderful female vocals), Gordon Marron (electric violin, ring modulator), Rand Forbes (an early adept of the fretless bass guitar) and Craig Woodson (drums and percussion). Ed Bogas also participated in the recording of the album, playing organ, piano and the same calliope. Bogas became a full member of the group for their first and last tour. The music of “The United States of America” cannot be defined by any single style. The only thing that can be said here is that it is heavily mixed with avant-garde, psychedelia and progressive rock. One of the notable features of the group is the absence of a guitarist, which was extremely radical for those times when the electric guitar occupied a central place in rock music. Instead of a guitar, “The United States of America” actively used all kinds of strings, keyboards and electronic instruments, including primitive synthesizers, as well as All kinds of sound processors, such as the ring modulator—a device that later became widely used in guitar processors.

Tracks:

01. The American Metaphysical Circus — 0:00

02. Hard Coming Love — 4:57

03. Cloud Song — 9:38

04. The Garden Of Earthly Delights — 12:58

05. I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife For You, Sugar — 15:38

06. Where Is Yesterday — 19:34

07. Coming Down — 22:42

08. Love Song For The Dead Ché — 25:20

09. Stranded In Time — 28:47

10. The American Way Of Love — 30:38 including:

a). Part I — Metaphor For An Older Man
b). Part II — California Good-Time Music
c). Part III — Love Is All


Personnel:

Joseph Byrd — electronics, harpsichord, organ, calliope, piano, vocals
Dorothy Moskowitz – lead female vocals
Gordon Marron – electric violin, ring modulator, vocals
Rand Forbes – electric bass, backing vocals
Craig Woodson - electric drums, percussion
Ed Bogas - occasional organ, piano, calliope