Juicy Groove was a short-lived supergroup of sorts, featuring former members of Steppenwolf (guitarist Mars Bonfire, a.k.a. Dennis Edmonton) and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band (guitarist Mercury Flyer, a.k.a. Elliot Ingber, and bassist Gary "Magic" Marker). There were numerous drummers involved; the drums are credited to Thundercloud, a nickname for Mike Cassidy, son of Spirit drummer Ed Cassidy. The elder Cassidy is not credited, but Ed reportedly drummed on some of the songs, and Iron Butterfly's Ron Bushy drummed on one. Their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist was a character named Michael "Rainbow" Neal, an associate of Sky Saxon who was involved in some of Saxon's post-Seeds activities. On their 1978 album, Juicy Groove played unashamed '60's-style garage psychedelia as if the previous decade had never ended.
Juicy Groove's only album was titled First Taste. It was a picture disc released on a label called Payola. It's a hilariously anachronistic set of acid-fried hippie-rock tunes, recorded with a relatively lo-fi quality for a late-'70's album. There are no songwriting credits on the disc, but at least three songs ("Starry Ride", "Drums Guitars Stars", "Tired Of Bein' Poor") were co-written by Seeds leader Sky Saxon. The uninhibited frontman "Rainbow" Neal alternately moans like a stoner and howls like a lunatic. The trippy "Starry Ride" feels like just that. "Drums Guitars Stars" is a Jefferson Airplane-like anthem (complete with a Grace Slick soundalike named Victoria Reid) about rocking and rolling your way to fame. The similar-minded "Concert Fever" (which features Iron Butterfly drummer Ron Bushy) is filled with obviously dubbed sounds of audience applause. The album's carefree drug-soaked party vibe results in infectious, delirious enjoyment. Fans of Rhino's Nuggets box sets may want to dig this record up, because they'll probably dig it.
Tracklist
01. Secret Lover
02. Juicy Groove
03. Late Last Night
04. Drums Guitars Stars
05. Tired Of Bein' Poor
06. Concert Fever
07. Two Shy
08. Starry Ride
09. Spread Love
10. Havin' Fun
Credits
Rainbow Neal: Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
Magic Marker: (Captain Beefheart): Bass
Mars Bonfire (Steppenwolf): Guitar
Elliot Ingber:(Captain Beefheart): Guitar
Ron Bushy (Iron Butterfly): Drums
Mike Cassidy (Thundercloud): Drums
Victoria Reid: Vocals
Here
Wow...what an amazing group of members. Beefhearts, wolfs, Seeds, butterflies.
RépondreSupprimerCan't wait for the download to finish.
Thank you
This is a great slice of acid burnout hippie psych and it goes well with most of the Ya Ho Wa 13 discs. Anyone have the followup by Rainbow Red Oxidizer?
RépondreSupprimer-Chingasu
Crazy. Been listening to Beefheart and Seeds a LOT and never would have thought that there'd be any real middle ground. And yet... here it is!
RépondreSupprimerMuch of this material was also recorded by Rainbow Starburst with Sky Saxon on vocals as Sky Saxon & The Stars New Seeds Band on Starry Ride in 1976.
Whatever happened to Mike Cassidy. He was not even mentioned in Ed's obits.
RépondreSupprimer