Ten Of The Best: Nick Saloman (The Bevis Frond)

Nick Saloman needs no introduction: THE purveyor of British psych for many years, mostly with The Bevis Frond, and a man capable of freaking out (guitar-wise) with the best of them....a true psych legend! Check out the Bevis Frond Bandcamp page if you are unlucky enough to have never experienced Saloman's uniquely British, wry take on psychedelia...it's almost Christmas, treat yourself. Nick was kind enough to share his top ten albums (although, as with most of us, he says these may be different tomorrow). The choices give an insight into the influences behind Nick's music, and there are some crackers on the list!

THE SAVAGE RESURRECTION: S/T

Bought this in Manzi’s of Swiss Cottage in 1968. A brilliant psychedelic sleeve, and a bunch of Californian teenagers trying to out-Hendrix Hendrix. In more recent times, I actually met up with guitarist Randy Hammon and played a show in London with him!



CLEAR LIGHT: S/T

On the holy Elektra label. A one-off album of complex psych. They make a brief appearance in the movie ‘The President’s Analyst’, and later lead singer Cliff De Young became quite a successful actor



MAD RIVER: S/T

Talking of complex psych...a Rick Griffin sleeve, and 3 lead guitarists...how could you fail? Later drummer Greg Dewey joined Country Joe & The Fish. Apparently, this album was mastered at a slightly increased speed giving it a very frantic and edgy feel. When it was reissued this was rectified, but it just didn’t sound right! I can only listen to it as it came out...too wired, speedy and totally brilliant.



HP LOVECRAFT: II

Their second stunning album, in which their folk/rock background gets introduced to heavy psychedelics. Apparently they didn’t really like this album, which only confirms that they must have been out of their minds.



HENDRIX: ARE YOU EXPERIENCED

His first offering...raw, rough and ready, recorded very quickly. What can you say? The greatest guitarist of all time.



THE WIPERS: YOUTH OF AMERICA

Released in 1981, Greg Sage and Co influenced Nirvana with their unique brand of psychedelic punk. Dirty riffing with 10 minute feedback solos. Opened my eyes to so many possibilities. It made me realise you could play long guitar solos & still be cool.



PATTO: HOLD YOUR FIRE

The brilliant Patto’s second album, which featured the second greatest guitarist of all time, Ollie Halsall, at his absolute best. Great songs, great playing, just excellent stuff.



PRETTY THINGS: SF SORROW

The Pretties were one of the few bands to make a comfortable transition from beat to psych (and then to prog!), they’re still fantastic today! Here they make full use of Abbey Road Studios, producing one of the greatest UK psych albums ever.



BEATLES: REVOLVER

And the same applies here. The Beatles were really starting to experiment, and though it includes ‘Yellow Submarine’, this is still, as far as I’m concerned, their finest offering.



COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH: ELECTRIC MUSIC FOR THE MIND & BODY

Supposedly created to accompany an acid trip. I bought it when I was 14, so I didn’t really know or care about that. Just a fabulous moody record with great songs, and great playing. We actually got to play several shows with Country Joe, and even had a live album out with him doing all CJ & The Fish songs. Playing with him at The Queen Elizabeth Hall in London was one the highlights of my life!



And here’s a reserve 10, which I cannot leave out.

DAVE CROSBY: IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAMEPatto, Mad River,

ARZACHEL: S/T

DAVID ACKLES: SUBWAY TO THE COUNTRY

SPIRIT: 12 DREAMS OF DR SARDONICUS

LOVE: FOREVER CHANGES

TOMORROW: S/T

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: AFTER BATHING AT BAXTERS

MORGEN: S/T

BLOSSOM TOES: IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT

GENE CLARK: NO OTHER



Cheers Nick!