Original

Originally released in 1969 this is a 1972 reissue I bought sometime in the mid 70’s. Recorded at The Matrix in 1967 when they were still known as The Sparrow. I always liked side one and played it quite often. A more Blues sound than their later Rock hits side one has two written by John Kay, songs by Willie Dixon and John Lee Hooker and “Corina,Corina” a song from the early 1900’s and covered by many artists. Great bass by Nick St. Nicholas and guitar by John Kay. Side two has a 21 minute version of “The Pusher” written by Hoyt Axton. The first 7 or 8 minutes are drumming with some trippy voices,electronic sounds and other weird noises from Goldy McJohn’s organ before guitar and bass are added. There is some good jamming at this point before the first verse of the song. The back cover has liner notes written by Kay reflecting on the formation of the band and their performance at The Matrix. The recording is not too bad considering it’s from ’67 and the record itself sounds OK, however the cover is in bad shape, almost in two pieces.