Anyone recall Joe Byrd and The Field Hippies? (calling Joe Fields)

[darkstar]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Metaphysical_Circus
The American Metaphysical Circus is a landmark psychedelic recording of the late 1960's, largely unique in having remained in print for nearly 20 years. It was recorded by Joseph "Joe" Byrd after his departure from the band The United States Of America, and featured some of the earliest recorded work in rock music utilizing extensive use of synthesizers....

The album is most noted for "The Sub-Sylvian Litanies" which opened Side A. This three part-suite has been described as <1> "an entire acid trip in 11 minutes". Other album highlights include the similarly-oriented "The Elephant At The Door", and the politically-charged "Invisible Man", written for and aimed squarely at President Lyndon B. Johnson. Two of the more unusual tracks on the record are "Mister Fourth Of July" - a ragtime tune complete with scratchy 78RPM-style effects, and "Leisure World", featuring narration from long-time ABC voice-over and "Ghoulardi" originator Ernie Anderson in an ode to California's first retirement mega-community.

*******

A landmark indeed. Etched in my mind note for note from about age 12-13 onward.

[Burma Jones]

1. I own this Album

I haven't listened in a while, but I'm well acquainted with the work.....

[darkstar]

3. Nice piece of vinyl, huh?

As I recall, that label had great, thick, really nice sounding records. Used to own 2 myself.

[Joe Fields]

2. Present. Yeah, I remember it. I never owned a copy, but I had a

friend who worked in a head shop in Kansas City that had it. It was a blend of different styles, as I recall, but very trippy. Do you own a copy? Now I am going to have to take a "trip" down memory lane. Thanks for reminding me of it.

[darkstar]

4. Hey there....

How this filtered down from hardcore heads to us kids in the midwest--St. Louis here--is really something. The record had such a heavy, political, druggy, absurdist aura about it.

Not to say it'll be to your tastes after all these years. NOt even sure it's toomine, really, what w/ the havy nostalgia trip it is for me.

"You can't ever come down...."

:hi: