Ultimate Spinach
Encyclopedia
Ultimate Spinach was a psychedelic
/hard rock
/blues
band originally from Boston. In their '60's heyday they specialized in lengthy songs such as "Ballad of the Hip Death Goddess", from Ultimate Spinach (1968) and "Genesis of Beauty", from Behold And See (1968). Since 1970 the band have largely abandoned the psychedelic sounds and have (since at least 1975) dropped all of the '60's songs from their setlists (with the exception of 'Ballad Of The Hip Death Goddess' and a few from the third album).
On Ultimate Spinach (MGM, 1968) the standout cuts are "Ballad of the Hip Death Goddess", with an instrumental interval for theremin
(an early electronic instrument), feedback and reverberation, and the psychoanalytic folk-blues "Ego Trip" , the 4-part suite "Sacrifice of the Moon" as well as "Your Head Is Reeling" and the Frank Zappa
-esque "Plastic Raincoats".
More complex compositions, such as the suite in four movements "Genesis of Beauty" and "Fragmentary March of Green", two pieces soaked in mysticism, enliven the second album Behold And See (MGM, 1968). Jazz Thing and Mind Flowers experimented with even more unusual tempos and atmosphere, while "Gilded Lamp Of The Cosmos" exemplifies their psychedelic folk ballads. (Note: Big Beat's re-release of Behold And See omits "Visions of your Reality". In addition, it liberally edits other cuts, and thus should not be considered a true re-release.). A third album was recorded, but the only original member was Barbara Hudson. One of the musicians who played on the album was guitarist Jeff Baxter
, member of Steely Dan
and The Doobie Brothers
. This album leaves behind the psychedelic effects that characterised the Bruce-Douglas period and developing a generic sound more reminiscent of such acts as The Byrds
, The Monkees
and the '68-era Beach Boys.
"Plastic Raincoats" would be more like Velvet Underground's style than Zappa's.
has always remained underground and in recent years Bruce-Douglas has derided its existence.
Years later Bruce-Douglas created Azlbrax, with whom he released In The Valley Of The Shadow (Intergalactic, 1988).
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
/hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
/blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
band originally from Boston. In their '60's heyday they specialized in lengthy songs such as "Ballad of the Hip Death Goddess", from Ultimate Spinach (1968) and "Genesis of Beauty", from Behold And See (1968). Since 1970 the band have largely abandoned the psychedelic sounds and have (since at least 1975) dropped all of the '60's songs from their setlists (with the exception of 'Ballad Of The Hip Death Goddess' and a few from the third album).
Description
The Ultimate Spinach, composed of keyboardist/guitarist Ian Bruce-Douglas and singer Barbara Hudson was a band of Boston's alternative scene in the second half of the 1960s. The phenomenon of the "Bosstown Sound", (whose other top acts included The Beacon Street Union, also on MGM), was more a publicity stunt than a legitimate artistic movement, and the Bruce-Douglas version of the band tends to be remembered for its name.On Ultimate Spinach (MGM, 1968) the standout cuts are "Ballad of the Hip Death Goddess", with an instrumental interval for theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
(an early electronic instrument), feedback and reverberation, and the psychoanalytic folk-blues "Ego Trip" , the 4-part suite "Sacrifice of the Moon" as well as "Your Head Is Reeling" and the Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
-esque "Plastic Raincoats".
More complex compositions, such as the suite in four movements "Genesis of Beauty" and "Fragmentary March of Green", two pieces soaked in mysticism, enliven the second album Behold And See (MGM, 1968). Jazz Thing and Mind Flowers experimented with even more unusual tempos and atmosphere, while "Gilded Lamp Of The Cosmos" exemplifies their psychedelic folk ballads. (Note: Big Beat's re-release of Behold And See omits "Visions of your Reality". In addition, it liberally edits other cuts, and thus should not be considered a true re-release.). A third album was recorded, but the only original member was Barbara Hudson. One of the musicians who played on the album was guitarist Jeff Baxter
Jeff Baxter
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is an American guitarist, known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s...
, member of Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
and The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
. This album leaves behind the psychedelic effects that characterised the Bruce-Douglas period and developing a generic sound more reminiscent of such acts as The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, The Monkees
The Monkees
The Monkees are an American pop rock group. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork,...
and the '68-era Beach Boys.
Second album
Upon release of the 2nd album, Ian Bruce Douglas quit Ultimate Spinach and a new band was formed with only Barbara Hudson as a standing original member. Tony Scheuren, Ted Myers, Mike Levine and Jeff Baxter were also added."Plastic Raincoats" would be more like Velvet Underground's style than Zappa's.
Reformation
In 1970 the band reformed with no original members and have continued to this day, performing (generally in the Oregon area) and releasing several independent albums. This bandhas always remained underground and in recent years Bruce-Douglas has derided its existence.
Years later Bruce-Douglas created Azlbrax, with whom he released In The Valley Of The Shadow (Intergalactic, 1988).
Discography
- Ultimate SpinachUltimate Spinach (album)Ultimate Spinach is the 1967 self-titled debut album by Ultimate Spinach and was released on the MGM Records label.-Track listing:# "Ego Trip" – 3:13# "Sacrifice of the Moon" – 3:45# "Plastic Raincoats/Hung Up Minds" – 2:56...
(1967) - Behold & See (1968)
- Ultimate Spinach III (1969)
- Sacrifice of the Moon: Instrumental Music of Ultimate Spinach (2006)