More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album
Encyclopedia
More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album is a 1999 tribute album
completed shortly before and released shortly after the death of Moby Grape
founding member Skip Spence
. The album contains cover version
s by various artists of Spence's music from his Oar album, released in 1969, presented in the same order as on the original album. The album also contains a hidden bonus track of Spence's last known recording, "Land of the Sun", which was originally commissioned for the X-Files soundtrack, Songs in the Key of X
, but not used.
, a music industry executive then associated with Warner Bros. Records
, who had previously produced Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson
(Warner Bros. Records
/Sire
, 1990)..
More Oar has been described as a "heartfelt, eclectic homage" which "pays tribute to one of psychedelia's brightest lights, Skip Spence." In relation to the inclusion of Spence's "Land of the Sun" as a hidden bonus track, critic Raoul Hernandez commented as follows:
Critic Rob Brunner views the more successful covers as being those by artists with a particular appreciation of Spence's spirit:
Tribute album
A tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
completed shortly before and released shortly after the death of Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Moby Grape is an American rock group from the 1960s, known for having all five members contribute to singing and songwriting and that collectively merged elements of folk music, blues, country, and jazz together with rock and psychedelic music...
founding member Skip Spence
Skip Spence
Alexander Lee "Skip" Spence was a Canadian-born musician and singer-songwriter. He was co-founder of Moby Grape, and played guitar with them until 1969. He released one solo album, 1969's Oar, and then largely withdrew from the music industry...
. The album contains cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s by various artists of Spence's music from his Oar album, released in 1969, presented in the same order as on the original album. The album also contains a hidden bonus track of Spence's last known recording, "Land of the Sun", which was originally commissioned for the X-Files soundtrack, Songs in the Key of X
Songs in the Key of X
Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by The X-Files is a 1996 compilation album released in association with the American science fiction television series The X-Files. The album contained a mixture of songs that were either featured in the series, or shared thematic elements with it....
, but not used.
History and Critical Reaction
The album was planned and produced by Bill BentleyBill Bentley (producer)
Bill Bentley is a music industry executive, particularly notable for having produced tribute albums of the music of significant cult artists Roky Erickson and Skip Spence , in addition to other projects, such as being the co-producer of a tribute album to noted Texas and international artist Doug...
, a music industry executive then associated with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, who had previously produced Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson
Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson
Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye: A Tribute to Roky Erickson is a 1990 tribute album to singer-songwriter Roky Erickson, founder of the 13th Floor Elevators and solo artist, whose career has been subject to significant periods of challenge from schizophrenia. The album was released by Sire Records...
(Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
/Sire
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
, 1990)..
More Oar has been described as a "heartfelt, eclectic homage" which "pays tribute to one of psychedelia's brightest lights, Skip Spence." In relation to the inclusion of Spence's "Land of the Sun" as a hidden bonus track, critic Raoul Hernandez commented as follows:
- ...(i)t's Spence himself, who died at the age of 52...who saves the back end of More Oar with the mumbled, spacey, bongo madness of "Land of the Sun." A hidden bonus track deemed unworthy of 1996's X-Files spinoff, Songs in the Key of X, "Land of the Sun" brings More Oar full circle...(to) bookend an obscure chapter of rock & roll history that is finally becoming public record."
Critic Rob Brunner views the more successful covers as being those by artists with a particular appreciation of Spence's spirit:
- The best contributions come from artists who realize that Spence's work is as much about atmosphere as words and chords. Robert Plant moans over ghostly vibes on "Little Hands"; Alejandro Escovedo offers an appropriately bleary "Diana", Spence's darkest song; and Flying Saucer Attack out-space the ultra-spaced-out Spence. Not everyone gets it, though. The Dūrocs (led by fellow San Fran hippie leftover Ron NagleRon NagleRon Nagle is an American ceramic sculptor, musician and songwriter.-History:Ron Nagle grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District...
) and the Ophelias mistakenly believe that weird songs call for wacky performances, resulting in a sort of contrived lunacy that's at odds with Spence's unself-conscious outpourings. And Engine 54 contribute a puzzling ska track that's unrelated to both Spence and everything else on More Oar. Still, more often than not, More taps into the spirit of Oar — no easy feat.
Track Listing
- "Little Hands" Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
4:22 - "Cripple Creek" Mark LaneganMark LaneganMark Lanegan is an American rock musician and songwriter. Lanegan began his music career in the 1980s, forming the grunge group Screaming Trees with Gary Lee Conner, Van Conner and Mark Pickerel. During his time in the band Lanegan would start a low-key solo career...
2:12 - "Diana" Alejandro EscovedoAlejandro EscovedoAlejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
4:08 - "Margaret Tiger-Rug" The DūrocsRon NagleRon Nagle is an American ceramic sculptor, musician and songwriter.-History:Ron Nagle grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District...
2:27 - "Weighted Down (The Prison Song)" Jay FarrarJay FarrarJay Farrar is an American songwriter and musician currently based in St. Louis, Missouri. A veteran of two critically acclaimed music groups, Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt, he began his solo music career in 2001...
& The Sir Omaha Quintet - "War In Peace" MudhoneyMudhoneyMudhoney is an American alternative rock band. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Original bassist Matt Lukin left the...
3:15 - "Broken Heart" Robyn HitchcockRobyn HitchcockRobyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
3:48 - "All Come To Meet Her" Diesel Park WestDiesel Park WestDiesel Park West are an alternative rock band from Leicester, England. Formed in 1981, they have released ten albums to date, plus six singles that have appeared in the UK Singles Chart.-Original line-up:*John Butler...
4:06 - "Books Of Moses" Tom WaitsTom WaitsThomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
3:01 - "Dixie Peach Promenade" ( Yin For Yang ) Greg DulliGreg Dulli-Biography:Greg Dulli was born and brought up in the working-class city of Hamilton, Ohio. Although he was raised a Catholic, he is now agnostic. Dulli first came to public attention in the late 1980s with The Afghan Whigs when he joined D.C. transplant bassist John Curley and Louisville, Kentucky,...
3:03 - "Lawrence Of Euphoria" The Ophelias 1:40
- "Grey - Afro" Flying Saucer AttackFlying Saucer AttackFlying Saucer Attack was an experimental space rock band that formed in Bristol, England in 1992. David Pearce was the core member of the group, and Rachel Brook was a member for most of the band's lifetime....
4:24 - "This Time He Has Come" Alastair Galbraith 5:18
- "It's The Best Thing For You" Engine 54 5:02
- "Keep Everything Under Your Hat" Outrageous CherryOutrageous Cherry-History:Outrageous Cherry formed in 1992 as a solo project for Matthew Smith, but soon expanded to a four-piece after he began performing live in 1993...
3:18 - "Halo Of Gold" BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
4:32 - "Doodle" Minus 5 13:18
Credits
- David Katznelson Executive Producer
- Bill BentleyBill Bentley (producer)Bill Bentley is a music industry executive, particularly notable for having produced tribute albums of the music of significant cult artists Roky Erickson and Skip Spence , in addition to other projects, such as being the co-producer of a tribute album to noted Texas and international artist Doug...
Producer, Liner Notes - Stanley MouseStanley MouseStanley George Miller , better known as Mouse and Stanley Mouse, is an American artist, notable for his 1960s psychedelic rock concert poster designs and Grateful Dead album cover art.-Early life:...
Artwork - Jimmy Hole Artwork, Art Direction
- André Knect Mastering