Lazy Smoke - Corridor of Faces (1968 US Psychedelia)

Like the Velvet Underground and Big Star, Lazy Smoke has become more famous in death than life. Basically a local phenomenon during its existence, the Massachusetts band's Corridor of Faces LP has become one of the most revered collectables among '60s enthusiasts. Included on this CD are 12 previously unheard demos produced a few months prior to the recording of the album. All music has been transferred from the original mastertapes.

In Vernon Joynson's book "Fuzz, Acid, & Flowers", he states that Massachusetts band, Lazy Smoke's ultra rare album "Corridor of Faces" is to some the ultimate psychedelic album ever recorded. With so many classic psych recordings out there begging for that very title this is quite the statement. However, psychedelic music is certainly not a dead genre, it is alive and well and the very fact that these ultra rare 60ís albums are being reissued proves my point.
No more than 500 copies of the Lazy Smoke album were originally released back in late '68. Original vinyl copies of "Corridor" can fetch somewhat near $1,500! Now, some 35+ years later, the Arf Arf label has presented us with this golden nugget plus numerous unreleased demos from 1967. "Corridor of Faces" is a superb period piece with fantastic, and at times beautiful guitar work, and flowing Beatles-esque harmonies (that even come with affected English accents). From the backward guitars of the luscious opening track "All These Years", to the poignant lyrics and tight orchestration of ìThere Was A Timeî, this is clearly a classic undiscovered work of beauty.

The demo half of this CD actually reminds me a bit of the Skip Spence album "Oar" or, better yet, of the more gentler songs by the contemporary lo-fi band, Sparklehorse.
Thank you Arf Arf for making this gem available again!

01. All These Years
02. How Was Your Day Last Night
03. Come With the Day
04. Salty People
05. Jackie-Marie
06. Under Skys
07. Sarah Saturday
08. There Was a Time
09. Am I Wrong?
10. How Did You Die?
11. I Don't Need the Sun [Unplugged Demo]
12. Changing the Time [Unplugged Demo]
13. I Could Fall Asleep [Unplugged Demo]
14. Wait Till You See [Unplugged Demo]
15. Scarecrow [Unplugged Demo]
16. All These Years [Unplugged Demo]
17. Come With the Day [Unplugged Demo]
18. Salty People [Unplugged Demo]
19. Jackie-Marie [Unplugged Demo]
20. There Was a Time [Unplugged Demo]
21. Sarah Saturday [Unplugged Demo]
22. Am I Wrong? [Unplugged Demo]

Post by CGR