Tom Rapp, an 18 year-old draft resistor and college dropout living in Eaugallie, Florida, sent a small unsolicited reel of tape to ESP. Bernard Stollman invited him to bring his musicians to New York, where they recorded ... more »their acclaimed debut, One Nation Underground in 1967. Less than a year later, they released the equally strong follow-up, Balaklava. Classics of the genre, which certainly would have seen wider attention had ESP survived past 1968, these recordings are getting a well-deserved second chance, thanks to a thorough remastering, under the supervision of Tom Rapp.« less
Tom Rapp, an 18 year-old draft resistor and college dropout living in Eaugallie, Florida, sent a small unsolicited reel of tape to ESP. Bernard Stollman invited him to bring his musicians to New York, where they recorded their acclaimed debut, One Nation Underground in 1967. Less than a year later, they released the equally strong follow-up, Balaklava. Classics of the genre, which certainly would have seen wider attention had ESP survived past 1968, these recordings are getting a well-deserved second chance, thanks to a thorough remastering, under the supervision of Tom Rapp.
CD Reviews
A Mind Altering Experience
CWR | Northern New York | 06/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had never heard Pearls Before Swine before this album, at all. I was able to get my hands on an advance copy and, after some dithering (after all, it's a band from the 60s I never heard of, how good could it be?), I finally put it into my player.
And rarely take it out.
This CD instantly became one of my precious favorites. Tom Rapp sings with a bit of a lisp which, at first, had me thinking something was messed up. Upon confirmation that this was how it's supposed to be, I gave it some more time and fell in love. This lisp of his adds a completely unique quality to his singing which you find in practically no one else in music. To me, it speaks of someone who is so into it, he doesn't care if people think it sounds odd, and that alone adds strength to the music.
His songs are at once silly ("(Oh Dear) Miss Morse"), fun ("Playmate"), sad and lonely ("There Was A Man"), insightful ("Guardian Angels") and more. The very final track, "Ring Thing", will make more than a few people chuckle once they understand what it is, especially considering a certain trilogy of blockbusters recently.
I have to say, as well, that the sound quality is simply mind boggling. It is totally clear, every tone comes out perfectly. There's no hiss or pop. I know I'm not an audio engineer, but I dare say this is a FLAWLESS album. A couple tracks have that typical static sound of rough LP recordings, but they're meant that way - the sound of an early 20th century recording, music and all. Considering the age of the originals, and the lack of work done on them over the past 35-plus years, Joe Phillips - re-release producer and re-mastering engineer - pulled a complete rabbit from his hat.
I, myself, am not a child of the 60s, having been born at the end of 1977, so a lot of music from the era has been lost to me. And hey, let's face it, if it's not still popular now, why care? This attitude is completely wrong for Pearls Before Swine. The loss of them over the past several decades is a tragedy.
My father, however, while not a hippy, did have PBS's second album, 'Balaklava', from 1968. One evening, I'm going on about PBS and he tells me it sounds familiar, so I play some tracks, and his eyes just light up. He starts telling me that he used to have it, and some of the stories he remembered from back then. About a week later, I was rifling through some old LPs that my folks had, from before they split, and sure enough, there's 'Balaklava' in its sleeve, a first pressing even, from 1968. In EXCELLENT condition, no less! Amazing!
So, when I saw when this album would be officially released, I got another copy and gave my dad the CD for Father's Day. He was so shocked and so happy, one of those rare times when a gift for someone really, really means something to them.
This album has come to mean so much for me. It's a view into the past, and it carries so much meaning and emotion, I just get taken back. When it's late at night, I get to feeling a little down and thinking about life, and listen to this, I long so badly for the years when these albums were originally out. This CD has the power to transport me to a generation I was never a part of, and never will be; to a time and a world I will never see.
"Did you find that the Universe/ Doesn't care at all? Did you find that if you don't care/ This whole wrong world will fall?" Yes, Tom; a whole lot of us have found that now, and only too late."
Thank you!
Sean O. Grady | Cherokee, North Carolina | 11/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's been almost 40 years since I first bought this album. The LP is long gone, along with Balaklava and The Use of Ashes. Thank you for making the first two available again, since I can't find them.
The songs are lovely and will carry you away, if you let them.
Be sure to de-code the chorus in Miss Morse. Yes, it does spell something."
Cast Ye Not ........
Don Weiser | Pisgah Forest, NC | 05/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My Pearls Before Swine ESP-DISK arrived today. I hadn't heard them in roughly 40 years! I remember loving their music, lyrics, and Tom Rapp's voice. I highly recommend this 2 record compilation ("One Nation Underground" and "Balaklava") on one CD to anyone who was there in the 60s or who is curious about the music. I'm putting this one with my "Joy of Cooking", "13th Floor Elevators", "Grateful Dead", "Incredible String Band", and other CDs of genius groups from that time. Excuse me, I have to go now, I have some wonderful listening to do.
"
Ode to Joy
Steven J. Lord | Yellow Springs, OH United States | 03/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tucked away in my record closet are vinyl copies of these two albums. They're so badly scratched from repeated playing that it's painful to listen to them now. But now I can listen to these wonderful songs in all their awesome glory. The pristine quality of this CD far exceeds what I heard on my old college stereo. Oh joy!"
Stunning....
Dave Wilson | Melting Icebergs, Planet Earth | 10/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are looking at the reviews and wondering if you might like PBS, then question no more. These 2 recordings are beyond expectation. I bought this on a never heard before basis because I like mid to late 60's rock, folk, jazz etc. This period of music created an environment which produced so many prototypes. Some achieved their goals, some not.
This recording goes beyond good and beyond the beginning of another way to sell product. It is timeless music, lyrics reflective of the human spirit and a product of the time.
To give it a description... uhmmm... folk music... psychedelic... orchestrated rock... all touched by some sort of genius that transcends a vocalist with a lisp. But don't let any of that deter you. Hearing this you too will wonder, "How could I have missed this?" "Why isn't this known by all who love music?"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1