Gong - Flying Teapot (The Radio Gnome Invisible pt 1) (1973)

Gong - Flying Teapot (The Radio Gnome Invisible pt 1) (1973)

rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 220MB

SI-WAN Records SRMC 4007

Allmusic:
Produced by Giorgio Gomelsky, notable for his work with the Yardbirds, Brian Auger, and Magma, this relatively early Gong project is a great representation of the Daevid Allen-era Gong. Though not as intricate as its follow-up companion piece, Angel's Egg, The Flying Teapot is more of a true prog/space rock outing, where hippie-trippy lyrics and space whispering abound, as evidenced in the opening track, "Radio Gnome Invisible." The following cut, "Flying Teapot," is the sprawling highlight of the album. At times reminiscent of some early Weather Report jams, though not as jazzy, the tune features prominent bass, standout percussion/drums, and space whispering courtesy of Smyth. Improvisational groaning and percussion bring this jam to a close. "Pothead Pixies" is a fun pop (pot?) tune which probably received very little, if any, airplay due to the lyrics, followed by Blake's brief synth interlude, "The Octave Doctors and the Crystal Machine." "Zero the Hero and the Witch's Spell," another lengthy composition, features Malherbe's sax playing, which, at this early point in the Gong evolution, is credited for most of the jazz sounds heard in the music (remember, Pierre Moerlen has yet to join the band). This cut becomes quite heavy near its end before making a clever transition into the final cut, "Witch's Song/I Am Your Pussy." Here you hear Smyth's strange, sexually explicit lyrics, which she embellishes with ethereal voicings and cackling. This, combined with a jazzy sax from Malherbe and some very groovy musical lines near the closing, make for another fun tune.

Tracks:
-1. "Radio Gnome Invisible" (Allen) - 5:30
-2. "Flying Teapot" (Allen/Moze) - 12:30
-3. "The Pot Head Pixies" (Allen) - 3:00
-4. "The Octave Doctors & The Crystal Machine" (Blake) - 2:00
-5. "Zero The Hero & The Witch's Spell" (Allen/Blake/Tritsch) - 9:45
-6. "Witch's Song/I Am Your Pussy" (Smyth / Allen) - 5:10

Personnel:
The original personnel listing is as follows:
* PON voicebox - Dingo Virgin & Hi T Moonweed the favourite
* Orgone box & space whisper - the Good Witch Yoni
* VCS 3box Cynthia size A & crystal machine - Hi T Moonweed the favourite
* Split sax ie tenna & soprasax & so flooth - The Good Count Bloomdido Bad De Grass
* Gitbox - Stevie Hillside (spermguitar & slow whale), The Submarine Captain (sideral slideguitar & Dogfoot), Dingo Virgin & others (aluminium croonguitar & stumblestrum)
* VCS3 fertilised elect piano & left bank uptightright pno & Shakesperian meat bass - Francis Bacon
* Drumbox kicks and knocks - Lawrence the alien
* Congox - Rachid Whoarewe the Treeclimber
* Road crew & trux - Venux De Luxe
* Switch doctor - Wiz De Kid LIGHTS & Duke

These pseudonyms, in turn represented:
* Daevid Allen - vocals, guitar
* Gilli Smyth - vocals
* Tim Blake - keyboards, vocals
* Didier Malherbe - saxes, flute
* Steve Hillage - guitar
* Christian Tritsch - guitar
* Francis Moze - keyboards, bass
* Laurie Allan - drums
* Rachid Houari - percussion

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Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Time Is the Key (1979) (eac-flac-covers)

 

Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Time Is the Key (1979)
rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 285MB
Arista | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
The instrumental Time Is the Key ushers Moerlen's Gong into the new age. A lighter version of their previous release, Downwind, the band plays mostly progressive rock-based compositions with a drastically different personnel. Peter Lemer's keys, coupled with the sound of vibes and electravibe in particular, give the music a generic, new age sound at times. Hanny Rowe is a prominent figure on most of the cuts, his playing being one of the most memorable aspects of this album. Gong never had such a strong bassist -- their music never stressed it -- but Rowe is up front here, displaying leadership capabilities by occasionally carrying the music. This is most evident on the carnival-like "Supermarket" and "An American in England." As on Downwind, the jazz element is minimal, showing up only in "Arabesque Intro & Arabesque," the most impressive material on the disc. Here, Allan Holdsworth (who appears on only three cuts) plays lead over Bon Lozaga's rhythm, and Moerlen's heavyweight percussion and tympani take the prize. Other percussive highlights include the opener, "Ard Na Greine" (vibes and tympani), and the guitar-rocking "Bender."

Tracks:
1.Ard Na Greine (Pierre Moerlen) 6:10
2.Earthrise (Pierre Moerlen) 2:25
3.Supermarket (Pierre Moerlen) 3:35
4.Faerie Steps (Pierre Moerlen) 5:33
5.An American In England (Hansford Rowe) 2:57
6.The Organ Grinder (Pierre Moerlen) 3:56
7.Sugar Street (Pierre Moerlen) 2:22
8.The Bender (Pierre Moerlen) 3:16
9.Arabesque Intro & Arabesque (Pierre Moerlen) 5:18
10.Esnuria Two (Pierre Moerlen) 5:34
11.Time Is The Key (Pierre Moerlen) 2:29

Personnel:
Pierre Moerlen : drums, percussion, vibraphone, synthesizer
Hansford Rowe : bass
Bon Lozaga : guitar
Peter Lemer : synthesizer
guests:
Allan Holdsworth : guitar
Darryl Way : violin
Nico Ramsden : guitar
Joe Kirby

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Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Downwind (1979) (eac-flac-log)

Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Downwind (1979)
rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 245MB
Arista | rar +5% recovery

The impressive Downwind is the first release from the band under its new moniker, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, as Moerlen assumes creative control and dominance. The release marks a return to vocals/lyrics, which proves only partially successful. Moerlen's voice is a hit on the opener, the rocking "Aeroplane," and the collective vocals on the fast-paced, percussive "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" (popularized by Santana) are right on target. His singing is weak, though, on "What You Know" and detracts from the song's quality. Mick Taylor makes his only appearance here with an exceptional guitar solo. Downwind is also a return to compositions dominated by rock structures and styles, the jazz element minimal this time around. The instrumental cuts are sublime: "Emotions" and "Xtasea" are relaxing; "Crosscurrents" and "Downwind" are energetic and exciting. The title cut is easily the highlight of the album, featuring guest appearances by Steve Winwood (moog, synth) and guitarist Mike Oldfield. At almost 13 minutes, this thrilling composition resembles the early work of Oldfield, particularly strains of "Tubular Bells, Pt. 1," and specifically the section used for the film The Exorcist. On "Downwind," Moerlen's percussives are ablaze, recalling his "Percolations" performance from Gazeuse. Bassist Hansford Rowe is prominent, and saxophonist Didier Malherbe, a longtime Gong staple, makes his only appearance on the album.

Tracks:   
*01-Aeroplane
*02-Crosscurrents
*03-Downwind
*04-Jin-Go-Lo-Ba
*05-What You Know
*06-Emotions
*07-Xtasea

Musicians:
Guitar: Mick Taylor
Percussion: Benoit Moerlen
 Bass: Hansford Rowe
Guitar: Ross Record
Drums: Pierre Moerlen
Flute: Terry Oldfield
Guitar: Mike Oldfield
Producer: Nick Bradford
Main Performer: Gong
Violin: Didier Lockwood
Moog Synthesizer: Steve Winwood
Percussion: Francois Chausse
Wind: Didier Malherbe

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