As described yesterday, here is a must-hear private press album by Gandalf The Grey, which was lovingly donated by an anonymous Swan Fungus reader.
The Acid Archives say,
“Fashioning himself after a Tolkien figure (with a cape and hat no less), this NYC wizard cut a rare DIY folkrock trip that’s been known for decades on the private press scene. I love the title track and a couple of other hobbit-oriented numbers, while some of his neighborhood observations sound less interesting and more typical Village product in my ears. Nice basement sound is a plus in this context. Opinions diverge a bit on this one, but the reissue is worth checking out. He made a rare pre-LP 45 under his real name (Chris Wilson) and even a comeback 45 in the 1990s. [PL]”
“Some people love this, but to these ears it’s an amateurish, monotonous, poorly played folk rock record. Knowledge of Tolkien will help the listener to enjoy the lyrics. Otherwise all of the songs sound the same. Recent reissues include some bonus tracks in the same vein, making it an even more tedious listen. This gets points for having been discovered really early in the collecting world: it was well-known back in the early 80s. [AM]”
Tell me what you guys think.
Gandalf The Grey
The Grey Wizard Am I
My Elven Home
03. From The Grey Havens
04. Here On Eighth Street
05. Go And See
06. The Christmas Song
07. Old Town Church
08. The Home Coming (The Sun Is Down)
09. I Don’t Know Why The People
10. Mr. Joe’s
11. Sunshine Down The Line
