Search - Beaver & Krause :: Gandharva

Trippy, and I mean that as a compliment

Anthony M. Kaczynski | Boston, MA United States | 03/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had limited exposure to one cut from this record, "Walkin' By The River," which was included on "Hot Platters," one of those great $2.00 LP samplers that Warners used to put out back in, well, the '70s. It's basically a gospel number sung convincingly by Clydie King, but in no way prepares one for the rest of the contents of this disc, which range from a somewhat off-kilter blues jam that kicks off the proceedings featuring Mike Bloomfield and Ronnie Montrose, to the completely gorgeous second side of the album, (tracks 6-10) which was recorded pristinely in the Grace Cathedral, whose acoustics are used to the fullest and act as another musical instrument. A rather pioneering disk, this; fusion of the best sort. Early analog synthesizer experiments (no cheese factor, by the way; these guys knew what they were doing) that are organically paired with the marvelous saxophone work of Gerry Mulligan and Bud Shank. Ruminative, contemplative, achingly beautiful, and recommended."

Music is awesome but the last note is cut off!

Jim Brant | 10/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have an issue only with the mastering of my CD of this album...not the music itself. THAT is a solid 5-stars! But the last note on my disc is cut!



As those familiar with this recording know, the album fades to a final sustained note at the conclusion of "Bright Shadows", but the final note and ambience which follows are abruptly cut off on my CD. However the double-paired WB release containing the previous 1970 masterpiece "In A Wild Sanctuary" is not only complete, but the ambience in the cathedral actually fades out as the recording ends. This is a thoughtful touch, and shows competent and professional mastering on the part of Warner Bros. It's a pity that Collectors Choice didn't take the same care."