Comments on: Mad River “Mad River”

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:55:40 +0000

Here’s a link that adds a blast of Tom Verlaine at his most hair-raising, Clear It Away from 87-04-03 Berlin, to the Mad River track:
http://rapidshare.com/files/323749905/mad.rar
Exploring the future from the distant past…

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:32:11 +0000

Thanks for caring about these lost souls! The first album has always been a great treasure to me. I think some of its strangeness may come from the fact that these guys were working against their natural inclinations. According to the notes in The Berkeley EPs CD, Robinson was a bluegrass flatpicker, Bockner fingerpicked ragtime, and both were pretty much learning electric guitar as they went. Technically advanced no wave? And back in the Jurassic I remember reading about some brainstorming session where they were supposed to be working out the finer points of their psychedelic onslaught and ended up sitting around listening to Merle Haggard. This kind of creative tension can be really useful. For instance, I always thought Chris Hillman was a great rock bass player, but apparently he would have rather been left to his mandolin. Maybe it’s just that bluegrassers can turn into visionary beasts when you plug ‘em in, Clarence White being another case in point. The Verlaine comparison is on the money, too. As for this decades-old controversy about the LP being mastered at the wrong speed, I dunno. I bought the Edsel CD when it came out and returned it when I realized it was dubbed from vinyl. The Capitol two-fer sounds the same as well. I think maybe it’s just that Hammond sings like a rabid squirrel (not a complaint) and the others are jacked into the stratosphere. Some members claim to have been chemically naive compared to their Bay Area comrades, but Amphetamine Gazelle is a pretty convincing look into the heart of that particular subculture. Finally, there are two pieces of the puzzle I’ve been trying to track down for years. There’s a long-dead torrent – West Coast Psych : Mad River – live and demos:

DR. SUNDAY’S MEDICINE SHOW, PEOPLES PARK,
SANTA CLARA, OCTOBER 8TH 1967.
01. INTRO
02. WIND CHIMES +
03. SNITSON (cut) @
04. THE WAR GOES ON *

1967 DEMOS
05. JERRY’S TUNE
06. YOU JUST DON’T LEAVE HER
07. TIMOTHY
08. WIND CHIMES

ANTIOCH COLLEGE, JUNE 1966
09. LOVIN’ CUP
10. I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU
11. A MAN LIKE ME

And there’s a second Lawrence Hammond solo LP called To Know A Man, from the German label Line. Does anybody have a line on these long lost artifacts??
To prime the pump, here’s an unfamiliar tune (the only Mad River track) from a hippie fest in Alameda on 68-10-28 that was recently posted on Dime.
http://rapidshare.com/files/323741097/mad.rar
Hammond is really trying to sound normal here. Just remembered another long lost Mad River title – Divide And Conquer (That’s What She Said To Me).
This whole comment strives to show what a discerning listener I am, but really I’m just groveling for paths to the stuff I haven’t been able to find. Kudos to ALL the commenters for their insights.

By: jim ra

jim ra — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:24:04 +0000

Thanks for the insightful notes on this sadly negected avant ’60s band. Especially insightful is comparing Robinson’s guitar work to Television–his tone similar to Cippolina, but the note-bending is “further out”, sometimes deliberately dissonant. Verlaine (reluctantly)cited Cippolina as an influence, also mentioned Moby Grape & the Elevators, but no mention of Mad River #1–well I’m sure he heard it because the ‘68 disc has Television-type moves all over it:: histrionic vocals (which also bring to my mind Jeffrey Lee Pierce), guitar counterpoint, free jazzy drumming, weird words.
Mad River #1 was ahead of its time like the first 2 Velvets albums. However, MR didn’t know Andy Warhol so their legacy shall remain obscure.
I first heard MR #! in late ‘69 on my sister’s boyfriend’s “Heathkit” stereo–sounded great. I never forgot it. The distribution blew, I heard it in NYC & couldn’t find it back home in CT.

By: richard

richard — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:08:34 +0000

In my opinion, one of the finest psych albums . Really a unique synthesis of influences that sounds like nothing else from that time or since. Comparisons to the Magic Band and Country Joe don’t really ring true to me. The level of musicianship is quite high-everybody is a standout in this group (Lawrence Hammonds bass playing is superb).This record rewards repeated ,careful listening.
Strongly recommended for those with an open mind.

By: tom

tom — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:30:14 +0000

thanks for drawing attention to this one, it’s my favourite album of all time. a rambling drug-maimed sickness aching with wild vivid imagery and an overwhelmingly tragic sense of fever and decay. i wouldn’t change a single damned note on this labyrinth.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:55:23 +0000

Mark,

Thanks for the comment. Yes, It makes sense, I think this record’s dark unsettling feel is no doubt what makes it so good and unique. I think this has the edge over their second album which is more rootsy and relaxed – still a rewarding listening experience but somehow lacks the edge that Mad River has.

By: mark

mark — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:37:01 +0000

There is something almost disturbing about this music (yes, also compelling… most compelling). It is as if they are exploring the darker side of the cultural fabric of their time. Intentionally exploring it. I have listened to their first album, Mad River, and believe that it most likely repelled many listeners. It doesn’t linger at the surface, but reaches into the wounds and fear that was inhabiting the shadows of the late 1960’s. I enjoy it greatly. Oddly enough, I find it somehow honest. Does this make sense? I don’t know. Anyway, I have ordered their second album…
Thanks for the springboard…