Psychedelic Songs from Lee's Basement ( #BOTB )

        As we head into another winter season, my thoughts go back to younger days of high school and college.  Not that cold weather drove me to the retreat of the basement of my parents' house, but it was a great anytime place to go when I wanted to listen to my records. Sometimes I'd listen alone and sometimes I was joined by friends. For a while, Lee's Basement was the place to be.  We had some great times and listened to some interesting music.  Today I present a couple of my favorites...

Battle of the Bands

        Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.

Psychedelic Sounds from the Basement

      During the late sixties and early seventies, when I was still living in my parents' home and going to high school and university, my favorite retreat when I was home was our basement.  During this time it was mostly my domain.  I had a decent portable stereo down there along with my ever-growing record collection which was becoming heavily influenced by psychedelic music as well as classical and an array of music that was not on the normal listening lists of most of my friends.  But they listened anyway if they were in Lee's Basement.

       It's not like I was aurally torturing them, but I was just giving a different musical diet beyond the Allman Brothers or whatever the favorite of the week was. They could get the popular stuff anywhere.  And I'll admit that sometimes we were a bit mind-altered if you know what I'm saying and that weird stuff that I would play just seemed to be pretty durn appropriate.

         So, digging back into the memories, let me dust off a couple of cuts from two among my favorites of that era.  I don't know if having your mind-altered a bit helps, but these songs still sound pretty good to me.  Maybe you had to have been there.  Or maybe just have weird eclectic tastes like I have.  Hope you can find something interesting or fun about these.  Open your mind.   Feel the groove.  Listen and sit in judgement and then tell us which you like best and why.    

Autosalvage   "Land of Their Dreams"  (1968)

       When I first read about this group in Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopedia I started my search for the album.  I actually don't remember the when or where, but I did find it without too much trouble in some cut-out bin somewhere.  I got most of my music from the cheap record section.  Times were spare.  I was a student.  I was living in the land of my dreams so this song connected with me.

Wichita Fall  "Playground"  (1968) 

      I haven't found much about this album or group other than they started out as a band in the style of Buffalo Springfield, went into the studio with members of the L.A. Philharmonic and ended up with a record that is more like the Moody Blues or The Association.  The album is reviled by some, loved by others, and unknown by most.  I especially used to enjoy this one after everyone had left my basement and I was unwinding in the wee hours.  The album is one that has been described as "popedelia" but I still think of it as kind of psychedelic.  Take a listen and let us know what you think...

  

           

Time to Vote!

           Hallucinogens are not needed to enjoy these songs.  It's music for any occasion.   Either way you might or might not like them.  Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

        Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.


Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Next Battle on November 15

    

       There will also be another posting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group coming next Wednesday.   And don't forget to come back for the results of the above Battle.  Those will show up on Friday November 8.