Uncategorized

Dream – Get Dreamy (1967) review

July 23, 2013

Dream – Get Dreamy (1967) review

Dream “Get Dreamy” (Shadoks, 2013)
Dream was a short lived Norwegian
psychedelic pop band featuring legendary guitarist Terje Rypdal. They recorded
their lone album for Polydor in 1967, in between his stints with The Vanguards
and his 1968 debut solo album. The tracks feature groovy organ fills, loud fuzz
guitars and striking, soulful vocals (particularly the tracks sung by drummer
Tom Karlsen). The British Invasion was in full swing in Norway when the album
was recorded and their live sets featured excellent covers of The Moody Blues,
Procol Harum, and The Beatles. They were also so enamoured of Jimi Hendrix that
Rypdal sent him an autographed copy of the album, calling special attention to
the track they recorded in his honour, “Hey Jimi”.
Along with hard rocking blues scorchers
like “Ain’t No Use” and laidback soul (“Emptiness Gone”), the band offer some
intriguing arrangements which add horn embellishments, backward guitars, eerie
spoken-word bits, and , er, dreamy flutework. Much of this is captured in the
ferocious 8 ½ minute centrepiece “Ain’t No Use”, which incorporates some of
Rypdal’s finest Hendrixian pyrotechnics.
“Driftin’” is a floating, harmony-filled
pop masterpiece, reminiscent of The Rascals, with luxuriously syrupy organ backing
– a lovely companion to “Groovin’”! Another highlight is the stomping
instrumental, “Night of The Lonely Organist and His Mysterious Pals,” featuring
screaming solos from Rypdal, walking basslines, a snazzy drum rolls, and an
exceptional, Booker T- inspired solo from Christain Reim. As usual, the band
add some outrageous effects in the form of a theremin-sounding spacey echo
which opens and closes the song. The band are not without a sense of humour as
demonstrated with the snazzy, jazzy two-step toodaloo, “You’re Right About Me”.
The aforementioned “Hey Jimi” is everything it’s expected to be – bleeding
solo, soulful vocals from Karlsen, a fine tribute to their hero.
Review made by Jeff Penczak/2013
© Copyright
http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2013
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *