[.ca] Vanilla Fudge

Something Very Special:
Vanilla Fudge was one of the original psychedelic rock bands. I remember seeing them play several times out at the Wild Goose and Kinetic. Younger people don't realize just how popular these guys were in "head" circles. They were headliners. Top British head groups opened for these guys. Their music was not heavy metal as one reviewer questioned... metal music didn't even exist yet!! This stuff is what "hippies", "heads", the turned on generation was listening to. This was FM. We used to call it "acid rock" cuz half the people were trippin at the concerts and it was good music to trip to. This music is a reflection of what we were doing at the time. It speaks for us during those days. Vanilla Fudge were great performers with some pretty cool tunes. They might not be the greatest band of all time but they gave us a really good rush every time they played! This album is a momento of some of the most wonderful times ever experienced on this planet... the late sixties.

Impressive, Visionary:
Few would deny Vanilla Fudge's immense historical significance as it pertains to the progression of rock and roll. Indeed, by the end of the 60's as psychedlic rock achieved its popular apex, rock and roll began to move in divergent stylistic directions, and by the early 70's several distinct sub-genres began to emerge, most notably heavy metal. Vanilla Fudge was a critical force, in this regard, because they, perhaps more than any other group, Steppenwolf notwithstanding, were instrumental in bridging the gap between American psychedelic rock and what would become heavy metal: they slowed down the tempo and toned down their guitars, giving their music a sort-of "sludgy" feel, echoing, in a sense, a budding Black Sabbath. Such a bold and unique musical statement was, and is, nothing short of brilliant. Even as important as Vanilla Fudge's debut album was pertaining to the evolution of rock and roll, it suffers slightly because is doesn't stand the test of time particularly well. You see, every song on the album seems to conform to a similar structure: an extended jam at the beginning, a dramatic climax, and a jam at the end. And while such an approach was certainly noteworthy and revolutionary at the time, it has a tendancy to sound repetitive today; the heavy handed organ and dramatic vocals seem a bit over the top at times, as well. Minor details, however, considering the treatment given some of the covers on the album; a feature which makes it very special indeed. And while longer running times and repitition make listening to Vanilla Fudge's eponymously titled debut album a labor of love, there isn't any denying its uniqueness or its brilliance even independent of historical context. Have an old head explain it to you, then you'll understand... man.

like a time machine:
This was one of those bands in the late 60s that I think about ocasionally ( like mass in F minor- Electric Prunes). So I saw it listed and ordered it. What a flash back. I saw them at the Filmore East a long time ago and listening to the CD, I was right back there. I've been smiling for a few days after listening to it. Beings back fond memories.

early heavy metal?:
They are called the first heavey metal band. This is wierd. It's psychedelic, kind of. It's depressed. It's sludgey. It's dominated by an organ. The songs are too long, and too slow. The relatively lame band "TheRascals" and "Youngbloods"-the blue eyed soul bands-are the main influences. Is this HM? Not really, but there are moments were it does qualify as metal. The single "You Keep Me Hangin' On" is metal, r perhaps Grunge (if you care to make a distinction). Other than that, there are parts of songs that really hit you with a "Bang!", but that's just a note here and there. I listen to this and think "This is boring-it's Led Zeppelin with the guitar turned WAY down in the mix", but I keep coming back. Something I can't put my finger on keeps me coming back to Vanilla Fudge. Maybe they did start metal, maybe not. It sounds nothing like Blue Cheer, or like Slayer for that matter. But one way or the other, this is something different. They digested some semi-lame influences, and distorted them with a changing technology, with drugs, and with a desire to do something different. That, basically, is how HM started. So, maybe they are the first headbangers.

Classic piece of rock psychedelia:
Love this album, still have my original vinyl LP that I purchased in 1969. BUT, the cd release doesn't appear to be a true replica of the vinyl LP. The track *Take Me For a Little While* starts off in stereo, but finishes up in mono!..How did THAT happen?...very odd.. Seems that the label decided to enter little spoken verses that do NOT appear on the original vinyl album. Why was this done?...In my humble opinion they should not be in there. also, the track listing has been altered...The 3 small tracks called *Illusions of My Childhood* appear on the vinyl as independent tracks, but on the cd are not listed as independent tracks (even tho they flow together with the main tracks). Footnote here....the cd release has a rather humorous listing also.....for those who didnt' pick up on this....STRA-WBER-RYFI-ELDS = STRAWBERRY FIELDS.

• Ticket to Ride
• People Get Ready
• She's Not There
• Bang Bang
• Stra (Illusions of My Childhood, Pt. 1)/You Keep Me Hangin' ...
• Take Me for a Little While/Ryfi (Illusions of My Childhood, Pt. 3)
• Eleanor Rigby/Elds