Rating:
Title: Christmas
Company: Paragon
Catalog: 18
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record):
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Available:
Price: $
Singer/guitarist Robert Bryden, drummer Helge Richter and vocalist Lynda Squires had all been members of the highly praised, but poorly selling Reign Ghost (see separate entry). Still in their teens, in the wake of the former's breakup, the trio found themselves in danger of being sued by their record label (Paragon) for breach of contract. Under threat of litigation, the trio elected to continue their partnership as Black Christmas. Dropping the adjective, 1969 saw the release of the self titled "Christmas". Musically the set's pretty bizarre. With Bryden penning the majority of the material, the results featured some attractive group harmonies, but little that made an enduring impression. Side two consisted of the group-penned instrumental "Jungle Fabulous". A commercial non-entity, the set picked up decent reviews, but few sales, making it a highly sought after (and priced) collectable. Squires promptly left to become and actress.
"Christmas" track listing:
Rating:
Title: Heritage
Company: Daffodil
Catalog: DFA 16002
Year: 1970
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available:
Price: $
"Heritage" track listing:
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Lies To Live By
Company: Daffodil
Catalog: DAF 10047
Year: 1974
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor edge and corner wear; gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve with lyrics (note the photo is of the '90s reissue - we're selling an original copy, but were too lazy to take a digital image
Available: 1
Price: $100.00
Given 1972's "Lies To Live For" was recorded amidst ongoing upheaval including Bulger's decision to quit during the recording sessions (vocalist Preston Wynn was quickly brought in as a replacement), it's surprisingly good. Musically the album found the band trying to find at least a partial compromise between their progressive leanings and Daffodil's desire for more commercial guitar rock. Lyrically the set's clearly a concept piece, though we'll readily admit the plotline's largely lost on us. Enough to say Bryden's lyrics are full of dark and disturbing imagery - probably explaining why critics were enthralled. Extended tracks such as "Voices In the Wilderness" and "The Factory" were definitely progressive in nature (hello mellotron), but they also displayed some attractive kickass guitar. Among the more interesting numbers were the mini-opera "War Story" and the "Beyond the Fields We Know" segment. Unfortunately, Daffodil executives weren't thrilled with the results, refusing to release the set. As a result the album sat of a shelf for the next two years, eventually seeing a limited release in 1974. In spite of strong reviews, the album failed to generate much in the way of sales; certainly not helped by the fact Daffodil was almost broke and unable to actively promote the collection. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Lies To Live For" track listing:
1.) (All the) Wrong Roads (Robert Bryden) - 3:19
2.) Stay Dead Lazarus (Robert Bryden) - 4:06
3.) Voice In the Wilderness - 4:19
a.) Graveyard Face (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Preston Wynn) -
b.) All Is Light (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
4.) War Story
a.) Ballad of Jack Boot (Robert Bryden) -
b.) Requiem War's Peace (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Tyler Reizenne - Helge Richter - Preston Wynn) -
5.) The Factory - 8:33
a.) Where the People Are Made (Preston Wynn) -
b.) Everything's Under Control (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Preston Wynn) -
6.) Beyond the Fields We Know - 11:26
a.) Prelude (I Don't Know Where I Am) (Robert Bryden) -
b.) Thermopylae (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
c.) Heaven's Lost (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
d.) In Closing - (Preston Wynn -
By 1975 they band had formally called it quits. In case anyone cares, Bulger reappeared in Buzzsaw and Threshold (the latter with Reizanne). Bryden worked with Age of Mirrors, Benzene Jug and as a solo act, before turning to production work. The mid-'80s also saw a couple of brief reunion concerts.
Rating:
Title: Christmas Live At Massey Hall
Company: Zapp
Catalog: RTA 777
Year: 1989
Grade (cover/record):
Comments:
Available:
Price: $
In 1989 the small Zapp label released "Christmas Live At Massey Hall". Pressed in limited quantities (reportedly 300 autographed copies), the album captured the band opening for the band Crowbar at a September 1971 date at Massey Hall. Musically the set's a mixed bag, pulling together two tracks from "Heritage", an extended "Beyond the Fields We Know" from "Lies To Live By" and a couple of previously unreleased efforts (including a needless "Christmas Cheer"). Ten years later the live set was reissued in CD format by the Canadian Unidisc label.
"Christmas Live At Massey Hall" track listing:
The early 1990s also saw the New Jersey-based Laser's Edge label reissue "Heritage" and "Lies To Live By" in CD format.