I’ve been thinking about the psychedelic music of the ‘60s lately … no specific songs, just how wonderfully varied it was. This morning, the name of a band came to mind, and I’ve been rediscovering its weird and wonderful sound from a weird and wonderful time.
Take a song written by Donovan, toss in a poem written by Essra Mohawk, and let one of the decade’s trippiest bands work their magic on it. I don’t think music can get more out there than the result:
I have no memory of hearing “Season of the Witch” on the radio back in the day by any artist, but I could have. It strikes me as a song young Jackie wouldn’t have had much patience for. It thoroughly has enchanted me today via Vanilla Fudge’s mostly languorous and heavy vibe, sending my mind back to the days of bell bottoms, lava lamps, black lights, psychedelic posters, and incense.
Vanilla Fudge is one of those rare bands whose every member (drummer Carmine Appice, bassist Tim Bogert, guitarist Vince Martell, and organist Mark Stein) was a vocalist. Martell is the lead vocalist on “Season of the Witch” and wonderfully matches the mood set by the instruments.
As I listened to the track the first time today, I got sidetracked by trying to decide how to categorize the band’s sound. Psychedelic for sure, but also heavy. Prog? The band’s Wiki page affirms two of those, choosing “hard rock” over heavy metal, which I won’t argue over because this ain’t metal. But the Vanilla Fudge’s foreboding sound presages that of groups like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple.
Not surprisingly, I have no Vanilla Fudge in my music library. While I’ve really enjoyed repeated listens to “Season of the Witch” today, the mood for music this far out doesn’t often grab me. I’m not sure why it did this morning, but I’m glad of it, and will probably light some incense here in a bit to keep the vibes going.
Very trippy. Very much of its time. Far out, man!