Farm is a milestone for collectors and lovers of Heavy Rock sounds of the early 70s, many requested and sought after has been very difficult to find for years. Originally released in 1971 as private pressing, this American band’s only self-titled album was re-released on July 22, 2022 via Guerssen Records. It contains 5 tracks with Bluesy, Jammy and Psychedelic Rock influences with dual guitar, keyboards and percussion, recorded at at the legendary Golden Voice Studios. The album opens with “Jungle Song” which immediately plunges us into the sound of the band with intertwining guitars and organ that combine Jam Heavy Psych traits with Blues Rock ones. The rhythm session is solid and elaborate with leading bass lines and the addition of percussion to give more body to the drumming. Each instrument has the right space to enhance the individual technique of the artists involved, with the guitar in evidence in the central part. A long jam session of over 7 minutes that takes us back to the magical atmosphere of the early 70s and the golden age of Rock music. The longest track on the album “Let That Boy Boogie” which exceeds 8 minutes in duration opens with the guitar duet with Boogie melodies as per the title. With the entry of the rhythm session the track accelerates, giving life to an energetic and engaging sound with markedly American features. Enriched by tempo changes and solo guitar and harmonica inserts, it is constantly evolving and also features a dynamic and expressive vocal. Recalling the sounds of the most lively tracks of masters of the genre such as Ten Years After both in the setting of the music and in the vocals, it is a high-level track. “Sunshine In My Window” is instead the shortest in duration, a very intense track with sounds that combine Psychedelic and other more Progressive traits. The tempo changes are an added value and the guitar and organ mixes are of exquisite workmanship, with the lead guitar always at the center of the scene. In the central part enters the singing, very warm and expressive, showing all the potential of the band, which accompanies us with the alternation of guitar inserts until the final, a masterpiece. Granitic guitar riffs intertwined with the harmonica open “Cottonfield Woman” with a solid rhythmic session, returning to the Heavy Blues sounds. The vocal is intense and the guitar takes center stage with solo cues that alternate with the sung parts, while the structure develops with continuous tempo changes, another excellent blend of energy and pure technique. The album ends with “Statesboro Blues” a track that shows the more Blues side of the band, deviating more from the Rock sounds of the previous ones. Rhythmic and engaging, with a dynamic vocal and good guitar textures and harmonica inserts, it presents a sound with a more American imprint, concluding the album with intensity. A record that over the years has become a real cult object for lovers and collectors of Rock music of the early 70s. With two long opening tracks in which the band performs in interesting instrumental plots and with the last 3 of medium duration, keeping the intensity and quality always very high. Between Heavy Rock, Psychedelia and Blues traits this album is very interesting, almost half an hour of pure energy and technique. A recommended listening, the sounds are refined and it is a real pleasure to see it reissued by this label, always very careful in the search for quality artists and albums.
Tracklist
01. Jungle Song (07:49)
02. Let That Boy Boogie (08:15)
03. Sunshine In My Window (03:59)
04. Cottonfield Woman (04:03)
05. Statesboro Blues (04:24)
Lineup
Mike Young / Drums
Del Herbert / Guitar
Gary Gordon / Guitar, Vocals
Roger Greenwalt / Keyboards
Steve Evanchik / Percussion, Harmonica
Jim Elwyn / Vocals, Bass Guitar