The Dean Davis Company - IInd time Around (ETC Enterprises, USA, 196?)

The Dean Davis Company was an obscure folk-rock group from Colorado, active during the golden era of late sixties/early seventies. Whose brainchild was singer-rhythm guitarist Dean Davis, producing three private pressed records under his name (one as Dean Davies, two as Dean Davis Company) and one other as Winterwood on the odd ETC Enterprises label.

On today’s post we will cover his second LP. A little search in the net has shown me that exist two different covers: the one I own, showing a black and white photo of the four members giving a concert for a peculiar audience of four child mounted on their tricycles (beautiful and peaceful, isn’t it?). The other, consisting on five lines, repeating the disc name each time a row in a black and white descending color scale.

The album has a very nice rural folk period flavor, certainly XIAN, providing an enjoyable listening experience, mostly because of the use of acoustic instrumentation (12 string acoustic guitar!), minimalistic electric guitar arrangements, byrdish suave drumming and beautiful and subtle male/female harmony vocals.  

Songs are mostly covers of seminal folk artists like Phil Ochs, Arlo Guthrie and Buffy St. Marie, imprinting their own identity with the creation of very beautiful atmospheres and passages. There’s also time for two originals: “What the World Needs Now” and “Suzzanne”. The first one consisting a introductory narrative speech and a second part song. But it’s on the terrific “Suzzanne” where the band suns through the clouds. “Old Blue” is also stunning with their combination of musiqued speech and chorus response, so real!

More information about this amazing artisan band will be warmly welcomed! Drop me a line.

Tracks

A1. Highway in the wind (Arlo Guthrie)

A2. Crucifixion (Phil Ochs)

A3. What the World Needs Now

A4. Saint of CSU (Saint of San Walkeen) (John Stewart)

B1. Lazy Morning (Chet Hanson)

B2. Suzzanne

B3. Old Blue (traditional)

B4. Until It's Time for Me to Go (Buffy St. Marie)

Personnel

Lead Guitar: Dave Bigalow

Rhythm Guitar: Dean Davis

Vocals: Paula Streiff, Rich Curran, Dean Davis

Bass: Ed Bigby

Drums: Vince Haffey

Get it here

The Forerunners – Prepare the way for Jesus (Strawberry Creek Productions, 1972)

The Forerunners were a XIAN folk group formed in the late sixties. Clearly established in the vein of emerging Jesus music that popped up on that époque, this one is a very comfortable and warm listen. 

Flavored mainly with acoustic arrangements and male/female harmony vocals, the themes of this private pressed record verge upon the praise of lord. Some tracks feature some string section, producing grandeur sensations (“Prepare the way”) or even nostalgic impressions (“Where can I go”). There’s also some funky feel in “Somebody loves you” and some cheesy camp fire country in “Wood, stubble and hay”. But definitely, the most psychedelic cuts are the moody “Clouds without water” and the amazing “Thank god for” with the exquisite multi-layered vocals.

Hope you enjoy it and more light upon this great group is welcome!   

Tracks

A1. Prepare The Way (J. Bowers)

A2. Early Misty Morning (J. Gilbert)

A3. Nothing Like a Conversation (J. Gilbert, J. Bowers)

A4. God Who Is There (M. Denman)

A5. Lord (M. O. Martian)

A6. Wood, Stubble and Hay (J. Bowers)

B1. Somebody Loves You (D. Lee)

B2. Oh Heaven (J. Thompson)

B3. Clouds Without Water (P. and J. Gilbert)

B4. We’ve So Much To Thank God For (D. Reuter)

B5. Where Can I Go? (Psalm 139) (J. Bowers)

B6. Prepare the Way Reprise (J. Bowers)

Personnel

All voices and instruments performed by the Forerunners with the exception of the string accompaniment, which were written and conducted by Ted Nichols. 

Get it here