Euphoria “A Gift From Euphoria”
A Gift From Euphoria is a well-funded album loaded with symphonic arrangements, excellent studio musicianship, psychedelic audio collage, and sound effects. It’s probably near to the apex of experimental rock from this era, and of the melding and juxtaposition of different styles of music.
The first two tracks on the record demonstrate the pace. Lisa an expansive and string laden orchestral number gives way to a legit bluegrass-country tune with banjo and pedal steel. Wait a little longer and you’ll get some fuzz guitar brain melters. Euphoria is all over the place on this album, which was recorded in Hollywood, London, and Bradley’s Barn. Some of the best session men in town put this one together, and it shows. Nary an unprofessional sound is on this record and some of the arrangements are stunning. They could use this album to replace the orchestra at the Boston Pops.
This is the only album released by the short lived Euphoria. The liner notes imply that the members disappeared, but parts of the liners are as out there as the sounds. Get this one for a supreme example of country and rock gone suicidally psychedelic, sounding remarkably fresh today.
For more from the Euphoria guys, be sure to check out the Bernie Schwartz record, The Wheel.
“Did You Get The Letter”
CD Reissue | 2003 | Revola | buy from amazon
Original Vinyl | 1969 | Capitol | search ebay ]
reposted from June 6, 2007
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Are these guys who did a track called There Is Now? I’ve been trying to track them down for yeeeeears, if so. I mean, they obvbiously are…
Tom February 6, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
Judging by “Did You Get The Letter” alone, this is an interesting fusion of “Sweetheart Of the Rodeo” era Byrds and “White Abum” Beatles ; with a healthy dose of Harvey Mandel guitar thrown into the mix for good measure!
In many ways Euphoria appear to be the victims of their own adventurousness, refusing to step back and distill their influences into anything remotely genry friendly or easily filed. Countryesque, yes – but hard edged and funky, and definitely psychedelic too. I’d love to hear more before I make up my mind, but this sounds on first listen like an album you have to invest your time in before you reap the rewards.
I’m not sure it’s my browser cache playing up here but I can’t get “Lady Bedford” to come up on the media player. Whatever – this is great stuff certainly, Brendan ; about as eclectic as it comes!
ib June 27, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Fixed the link. Thanks for letting me know, ib. And thanks for enhancing my post with your excellent comment. It does take a while for this one to sink in.
And, Tom, I’ve been unable to find information on There Is Now. All I know from Watt and Lincoln is this album and The Wheel. Maybe somebody knows?
Brendan June 27, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Hi, I wrote the sleeve notes for both the old See for Miles reissue of this album as well as the more recent Rev-Ola CD. It sounds as if you have only read the liners to the first one which were largely guess-work. The second reissue was based on extensive interviews with Messrs Watt & Lincoln and contains a lot of unseen photos, etc. These guys cut numerous 45s under many other names and Lincoln later recorded an as-yet unreleased sole LP. I am currently in the process of putting together another CD for rev-Ola which will include these along with out-takes from the Capitol LP. I’m afraid they never recorded a song called There Is Now, however. Regards, Tim
Tim Forster July 16, 2008 @ 6:14 am
“There Is Now” IS by Euphoria. I think it was only available as a single.
Will August 19, 2008 @ 7:43 am
“There is Now” may be by A Euphoria, just not by this Euphoria. There were at least 2 other acts that went by this name and probably many more.
Gray Newell August 19, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
It seems that “There is Now” credited to Euphoria is available on the ST Etienne compiled collection The Trip. I guess the sleeve notes for that will reveal the origins of that particular recording.
Gray Newell August 19, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
Ah, yes. Gray is quite right. ‘There is Now’ was by another Euphoria who recorded an LP on the Heritage label. There is a very distant connection between the bands…
Tim Forster September 13, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
I held an original Capitol pressing in Vienna, Austria, early this summer. But at 250 euros, I returned the record gently to its bin. A great album whatever the format might be.
Peter July 19, 2009 @ 5:51 am
Thanks for the post – great album!
Yair January 2, 2010 @ 2:44 am