Goose Creek Symphony “est. 1970″
In the intersection of country and rock, sometimes a band comes along who clearly bit the country bug enough to get the right chops, but for some reason not enough to take it entirely serious. To my ears, Goose Creek Symphony’s debut, Established 1970, has a an overly slack-jawed approach – perhaps a cool nod that this hillbilly thing is just for kicks. But much like Ween’s brilliant Nashville foray, 12 Golden Country Greats, the music is too damn good to write off.
Charlie’s Tune exemplifies my issue: they sing a little like phony bumpkins with a jaw harp, though the guitar is choogling and it grooves just right, you’re still embarrassed to play it in public. Luckily their cover of Satisfied Mind reads perfect and may be the one of the best I’ve heard. Talk About Goose Creek takes the irony even further, however, the jaw harp louder, ‘home on the range’ lyrics cheezier, but the groove is even more infectious with some bad ass drum work taking things for a psyched out ride.
Mostly, only a few tracks are this polarizing. Beautiful Bertha and Confusion are solid stoned rockers, Raid on Brush Creek and Big Time Saturday Night both nail The Band’s americana strike zone, and closing ballad Symphony Music rounds out the record with breezy rural rock.
I have been totally split on Est. 1970 but finally given in, and hard. There is no way to disqualify Goose Creek’s authenticity, their Arizona/Kentucky roots are for real and they’ve stayed true to their boldly unique style for many years now. I guess I have had the same problem with the Dillards in that the singing can, sometimes, just sound too faux-billy (or maybe it’s records that open with I’ll Fly Away). All I’ll say now is I love the record regardless, and you be the judge.
“Talk About Goose Creek And Other Important Places”
CD Reissue | 2000 | Goose Creek | buy from Goose Creek | amazon ]
Original Vinyl | 1970 | Capitol | search ebay ]
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Brendan,
I am really glad you posted this record, it’s really underrated and seldom mentioned. I feel like the group didn’t take the project that seriously, as their tongues were firmly in cheek throughout the whole record – what were they mocking though…country music or psychedelia? There are still some great songs as you have mentioned, my favorite being the outstanding Symphony Music – a dead ringer for the mighty Band. I’ve heard the second album is also pretty good and some Gooseheads (yes, this is what fans are known to be) rate it as their best. Good well written review.
Jason August 7, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
Hi all-I LOVE GCS! Thanks for the post. I’ve been looking for their song “Wayne County Tennessee” forever (I don’t even know which album it’s on…all my records were lost in a divorce years ago). Love the blog, keep up the good work.
ro August 10, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
This feels like a religious moment.I “grew up” with Goose Creek,i.e., same age, attending an “institution of higher learning” during the late 60’s early 70’s.Along with QuickSilver Messenger Service, Allman Bros., Crosby,Stills and Nash,Janice Joplan,etc,etc I loved this album, Est. 1970. The only problem I have nowadays is finding anyone else who has heard of it or listened to it .
Count me in as an original Goosehead.It gives me goosebumps, still, w/o the aid of …you know.
Don November 24, 2009 @ 6:41 pm