Notes From The Underground - Same 1968 (USA, West Coast/Psychedelic Rock) Full Album

The band was formed in Berkeley, California in 1965 and originally consisted of multi-instrumentalist Fred Sokolow, guitarist Mark Mandell, bassist Mike O’Connor, keyboardist John Miller and drummer Joe Luke. One of the first in the Bay Area, the group took part in the legendary “Family Dog” party at the Longshoreman’s Hall concert hall, and also regularly performed on the stage of the local club “Jabberwock”, when the “house” group of the club, their main competitors “Country Joe & The Fish”, took the day off. At the end of the year, keyboardist Jim Work and drummer Peter Ostwald were hired in place of Miller and Luke. Soon, “Notes From The Underground” attracted the interest of aspiring producer Chris Strachwitz, who organized the recording and release of an EP in 1966 on the “Changes” label. Growing popularity helped the group become a home at the New Orleans House and sign a contract with Vanguard Records. Replacing Jim Work with new keyboardist Skip Rose, the guys went to New York to record the album. After the recording sessions, O’Connor and Ostwald left the group, and Vanguard, deciding to save money on promoting the album, canceled their contract. Sokolow and Mandell updated the band’s line-up, inviting bassist Bing Nathan and drummer Furry Grasso. The “prodigal son” John Miller also joined them and the group moved to Taos (New Mexico), where it existed until 1969. Sokolow and Mandell later returned to Berkeley, where they formed the short-lived Prince Bakaradi project. Subsequently, Fred Sokolow worked with many performers, released a solo album, “Bluegrass Banjo Inventions,” and is now known as the author of textbooks on playing the guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, and ukulele. Tracks: 01. Follow Me Down - 00:00 02. I Wish I Was A Punk -05:54 03. Mainliner - 08:31 04. Down In The Basement - 11:33 05. What Am I Doing Here - 13:50 06. Where I’m At -16:08 07. Cantalope Island - 19:09 08. Why Did You Put Me On - 23:38 09. Tristesse - 26:20 10. Who Needs Me - 29:32 Personnel: Fred Sokolow - guitar, banjo, mandolin, tambourine, vocals Mark Mandell - guitar, vocals Skip Rose - piano, organ, harpsichord Mike O’Connor - bass, vocals Peter Ostwald - drums