The Amazing Charlatans

by The Charlatans

Overview

After almost 30 years, there's finally a definitive document of one of the first San Francisco psychedelic groups -- or, at least, as definitive a document as surviving tapes allow. This compilation assembles 23 tracks from their demos for the Kama Sutra and Autumn labels, as well as a couple of later sessions recorded at San Francisco area studios. Much of this material has been bootlegged previously, on both vinyl and tape, but here it appears in its best fidelity to date by far. Those expecting psychedelic fireworks will be surprised. There's some acid-soaked folk-rock here (most notably "We're Not on the Same Trip" and "I Saw Her," the two best cuts), but on the whole, it's much more of a travelog of roots music, with white blues, jug band, folk, country, and music hall influences much more to the fore. Sure, the Charlatans never really got the opportunity to flex their muscles in the studio, but it's also true that they didn't possess either the songwriting or instrumental chops to rival the Jefferson Airplane or Moby Grape. If you gear your expectations to the appropriate level, there's plenty of good-time mid- to late-'60s Bay Area rock to savor here. Big Beat's meticulous packaging and programming also ensures that an important chapter in psychedelic/San Francisco music has been properly presented for the first time. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	09/17/1996
Label:	Big Beat Records / Big Beat Uk
UPC:	0029667413824
Rank:	43042

Tracks

1. Codine Blues
2. Alabama Bound
3. I Always Wanted a Girl Like You
4. I Saw Her
5. How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?
6. 32-20 Blues
7. We're Not on the Same Trip
8. Walkin'
9. Sweet Sue, Just You
10. East Virginia
11. The Shadow Knows
12. I Got Mine
13. Steppin' in Society
14. Devil Got My Man
15. By Hook or by Crook
16. 'Long Come a Viper
17. Sidetrack
18. Alabama Bound
19. Number One
20. Baby Won't You Tell Me
21. Jack of Diamonds
22. Blues Ain't Nothin'
23. Groom N' Clean Ad

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Charlatans   Primary Artist
Hank Bradley   Violin
Dan Hicks   Vocals
Lynne Hughes   Guitar,Vocals
Patrick Gogerty   Piano

Technical Credits

Skip James   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Ian Hunter   Composer
Jerry Leiber   Composer
Nehemiah James   Composer
Nick Robbins   Post Production
Mike Stoller   Composer
Harry Akst   Composer
Alec Palao   Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Buffy Sainte-Marie   Composer
Will J. Harris   Composer
Robert Johnson   Composer
Mike Wilhelm   Arranger
Dan Hicks   Arranger,Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Richard Olsen   Composer
Philip Lloyd-Smee   Design
Herbert Greene   Photography
Patrick Gogerty   Arranger