Day 206: Roger's in the archive looking up casement, Martha's in the government digging up the basement...

Album 700/1031

Spirit - 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus (1970)

All songs written by Randy California except noted:

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Prelude – Nothin' to Hide"		3:41
2.	"Nature's Way"		2:30
3.	"Animal Zoo"	Ferguson	3:20
4.	"Love Has Found a Way"	California, Locke	2:42
5.	"Why Can't I Be Free?"		1:03
6.	"Mr. Skin"	Ferguson	3:50

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
7.	"Space Child"	Locke	3:26
8.	"When I Touch You"	Ferguson	5:35
9.	"Street Worm"	Ferguson	3:40
10.	"Life Has Just Begun"		3:22
11.	"Morning Will Come"		2:58
12.	"Soldier"		2:43

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Dreams_of_Dr._Sardonicus

Golf's verdict: Randy California claimed to have written the intro riff to 'Stairway to Heaven' and shared it with Jimmy Page. His heirs tried unsuccessfully to sue for royalties recently, Randy having been the victim of a surfing accident some years back, drowned whilst rescuing his son from a rip current. On this evidence, the judge looks to have made the right call. The most interesting aspect of the album is probably its title.

Maire's verdict: I was rather bored.


Album 701/1031

The Byrds - Younger Than Yesterday  (1967)

Side one

1. "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" (Jim McGuinn, Chris Hillman) – 2:05
2. "Have You Seen Her Face" (Chris Hillman) – 2:25
3. "C.T.A.-102" (Jim McGuinn, Robert J. Hippard) – 2:28
4. "Renaissance Fair" (David Crosby, Jim McGuinn) – 1:51
5. "Time Between" (Chris Hillman) – 1:53
6. "Everybody's Been Burned" (David Crosby) – 3:05

Side two

7. "Thoughts and Words" (Chris Hillman) – 2:56
8. "Mind Gardens" (David Crosby) – 3:28
9. "My Back Pages" (Bob Dylan) – 3:08
10. "The Girl with No Name" (Chris Hillman) – 1:50
11. "Why" (Jim McGuinn, David Crosby) – 2:45

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younger_Than_Yesterday

Golf's verdict: One of their best, most psychedelic albums. Soon they'd get all countrified and Sweetheart of the Rodeo, but for now it's still all paisley shirts and Rickenbackers. 

Maire's verdict: What the hell were they on? Not for me.

Album 702/1031

Robert Wyatt - Schleep (1997)

All tracks composed by Robert Wyatt and Alfreda Benge; except where indicated

1. "Heaps of Sheeps" – 4:56
2. "The Duchess" (Wyatt) – 4:18
3. "Maryan" (Wyatt, Philip Catherine) – 6:11
4. "Was a Friend" (Wyatt, Hugh Hopper) – 6:09
5. "Free Will and Testament" (Wyatt, Mark Kramer) – 4:13
6. "September the Ninth" – 6:41
7. "Alien" – 6:47
8. "Out of Season" – 2:32
9. "A Sunday in Madrid" – 4:41
10. "Blues in Bob Minor" (Wyatt) – 5:46
11. "The Whole Point of No Return" (Paul Weller) – 1:25
12. "September in the Rain" (bonus re-release track) – 2:31

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shleep

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Robert Wyatt is a challenge, but once you attune yourself to his cracked falsetto and his complex jazz-influenced melodies, he really is worthwhile. I bought a 'Best of...' of his on the strength of his peerless cover version of Elvis Costello's 'Shipbuilding' and very nearly took it back as it does take a few listens. There is a brilliant homage to Dylan's 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' called 'Blues in Bob Minor' that any fan of his Bobness should hear. He's a musician's musician too. Eno, Manzanera and Weller all feature on here and they sure weren't in it for the money.

Maire's verdict: Didn't really get it.