DAVID AXELROD/SONGS OF EXPERIENCE,PROG/PSYCH GTFLD.LP

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DAVID AXELROD/"SONGS OF EXPERIENCE", CANADA - CAPITOL RECORDS (lime-green label) SKAO-338,(1969?),VINYL:VG++,GATEFOLD COVER:VG+,delete-punch. After the modicum of success he'd experienced with his debut, Song Of Innocence, set to William Blake's epic suite of poems, composer, arranger, and producer David Axelrod turned to the British poet's Songs of Experience for inspiration in creating his follow-up album. Using eight of Blake's poems, Axelrod composed a suite that was less rock in its aim and more pop- and jazz-oriented in places, but overall a more orchestral work. Texturizing a symphony with percussive elements and the use of British and Irish folk song, as well as the stylistic inventions of fellow arranger Gerald Wilson for effect, Axelrod created a sobering, and, in places, even melancholy collage of song and lyrical styles that slid rather than drove home its point: that experience is a good but bittersweet teacher. Axelrod's compositions are positively literary here, lush and varied, using as much space as they do sound for dramatic and dynamic effect. His complex use of the various colors the horn section was capable of producing allowed him to create new palettes for the rock instrumentation. The centerpiece of the album is "The Human Abstract," a gently swinging, funky, bass-driven work that juxtaposes a strummed electric guitar playing augmented sevenths against an acoustic piano and a muted drone of horns. By the time the guitar enters for its solo, the strings have erected a space out of the ether for themselves to further shore up the orchestra's time-honored body against the wail of unrepentant youth. The tension in the tune is dramatic, colorful, and hued with as much red and yellow as there is blue and black. When the French horns and tuba state their case against the high-flying impetuousness of the restless spirit, a piano bridges the gap, whispering the melody's main theme in the center channel, whispering them both out into silence. Other notables are the positively majestic "The Divine Image," and the pastoral sadness in "A Little Girl Lost." Axelrod's meditations were getting darker with the times in 1969, but they hadn't yet reached the horrific potential for darkness that they would on 1971's Earth's Rot. In 1969, Axelrod was still a musical contemplative searching for a sound that best exemplified not only his feelings but also the heady text he sought to sonically illustrate. He succeeded in spades.  ******IMPORTANT/PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: We reserve the right to cancel bids placed prior to auction end by bidders with feedback ratings less than 2; those with negative, or private feedback, and those who have a history of non payment. Those with negative feedback or a rating of less than 2 please DO NOT BID unless you have received prior approval from me to do so,otherwise your bid will be abruptly CANCELLED. ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS-IS,FINAL SALE WITH NO RETURNS,so if you have any questions,or condition concerns PLEASE ASK before you bid! Auction payment to arrive no later than 2 weeks (14 days) after auction close unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.If no payment has been received by this time item will be put up once again for auction, and appropriate feedback left for the non-paying bidder. All items sent via Canada Post, and insurance/tracking #  MUST  be included, due to Paypal Buyer Protection Policy, (this protects both you and I). Shipping charges shall be determined upon completion of auction & residency of  the successful bidder. Payment preferred by PAYPAL, but I will also accept INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS in U.S. funds,( these are the “pink” colored ones from the U.S. Postal Service).Also acceptable are Certified Checks drawn on a U.S. bank account, plus U.S. Cash is acceptable if sent via registered mail, if sent un-registered, I’m afraid it’s at your own risk. SORRY, but I cannot accept responsibility for postal-damage or loss to ANY items. THANKS for looking & GOOD LUCK!