Search - Oxford Circle :: Live at the Avalon

Awesome Hearing Them Again!!

Ann Mary John | UK | 10/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a wonderful surprise to learn this long-lost recording of the Oxford Circle's Avalon performance has been released. I remember when they were the "Hideaways" ("You've got to love your Hideaway") when I was in (Davis Senior) High School and at Freeborn Hall at UC Davis (Messrs. Patten, Keylor and Yoder were a few years older, and Paul Whaley was in my senior class). "Foolish Woman" was one of my favorite songs, and hearing it again after all these years was pure joy. I highly recommend this CD if you're interested in timeless rock by a superb group."

Ok but not essential

Dano | New Jersey USA | 11/20/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the late sixties n.j. schools would have things called dances where local bands would play cover material by the same bands covered here. And local unsung heroes Blue Underground would do them even better! Hearing these guys I get the impression they are trying to mimic their heroes which ultimately has to fail. For real psychedelic music Vincebus Eruptum or Electric Music for the Mind and Body by Country Joe and the fish are far more essential. For completists only."

California Psychedelic Blues Garage Rarity!

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 02/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oxford Circle was a legendary psychedelic blues band primarily due to the fact that drummer Paul Whaley and vocalist/fuzz guitarist Gary Lee Yoder were members of the cult proto-metal band Blue Cheer. This set "Live at the Avalon 1966" contains 14 live cuts in good sound quality for the time period. In addition it also contains four studio cuts. "Foolish Woman" a garage/psychedelic favorite and "Troubles" another band original appear here in both studio and live versions. These are the strongest group originals on the disk. The live cuts are mostly classic blues or British blues/rock covers. Versions of "You're A Better Man Than I" (Yardbirds) and "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" (Animals)and some songs by Van Morrison illustrate that their main influences were British blues/rock bands of the mid to late sixties with a California psychedelic take. Blues covers "Baby Please Don't Go" and "I'm A Man" are especially energetic. The Yardbirds like rave-up at the end of the latter contains some Jeff Beck inspired guitar work by lead guitarist Dehner Patten with some psychedelic fuzz and distortion added by Yoder. Drummer Whaley is solid throughout and it easy to imagine why Dickie Peterson tapped him to fill the drum chair in the power trio Blue Cheer. Jim Keylor's bass is noticeable now and again weaving in and out of the guitar histrionics. Yoder's harmonica pops up occasionally and gives the proceedings a bluesier feel. The band broke up after Whaley left to join Blue Cheer. Yoder and Patten reunited to form Kak another psychedelic band before Gary Lee Yoder also joined Blue Cheer. Fans of California's psychedelic scene and rare blues/garage rock will find this to be a hidden treasure. Kudos to Ace/Big Beat for unearthing this rare psychedelic gem and providing great liner notes with a detailed history and pictures of the band."