DEMIAN "Rock Star Farm" PROG ROCK OPERA vinyl 1ST PRESS 1974 SHRINK / INSERT

$

150

DEMIAN

“Rock Star Farm”

Starburst      ARC-33-01

1974

FIRST Pressing.  Includes original lyric sheet insert.  Don’t get fooled by the CD reissue.  This is the sound the band wanted you to hear, not the digital update that changed the mix and altered the sonic aspect of the original recording.

ONLY COPY ON EBAY AS OF 8-29-2016.

In the past few years, Music Stack sold 2 copies of this LP for $165 and $168 plus postage.

Great and completely unknown US hard-progressive from 1974. This is not a better-known Demian group from Texas (popular for their classic, heavy rock LP on ABC Records from 1971, ex-Bubble Puppy), but completely different band from Illinois which recorded their album in Austin.

This privately pressed and now very rare concept album was issued in 1974 by local Starbust label. It contains an excellent and quite eloquent rock opera, with trippy organ work and very fine and strong vocals similar to early David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, little bit of Peter Hammill's dramatic way, and the theatrical approach of Arthur Brown. Musically, they encapsulate the aspects of Zappa's styles, and sometimes they sound like "The Doors meets early Bloodrock".

It´s an amazing record, with plenty of great hooks, and unusual psychedelic sounds and solid, hard rock music with a distinct, progressive tones. It´s a really hard to believe that this excellent LP was never reissued on CD until last year (stay with the vinyl.  The sound is fuller and carries a rounder mix - no sharp edges of digital foolishness).

'Rock Star Farm' is a kind of ambitious, moving rock opera about the most negative aspects of the rock lifestyle, or ... premature death. More on this in the libretto copied inside the booklet, but the music itself is full of changing climates, very original, very catchy and very professional cross late The Doors of the hard rock sound (free rate +organ Hammond) . All of them, quite short recordings form a kind of 35-minute, rock suite at which it is difficult to get bored, and certainly worth exploring! Very good, clean sound quality Remastered (like all CD Flawed Gems) from the original vinyl.”

From Discogs:  “In 1974 a young Brandon (stage name Shane Skinner) wrote a Rock Opera called,"Rock Star Farm." His band, Demian, signed that year with Starburst Records out of Austin Texas and released the record. Today, RSF is still generating sales on classic rock sites around the world. Brandon's opera was arranged by acclaimed guitarist Eric Johnson. The orchestration was performed by members of the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Glen Daum. After Demian disbanded, Starburst records owner Steve Shields sent a copy of the record to Doors manager Danny Sugarman. The result, from 2000 singers around the world Brandon was chosen as the possible replacement for Jim Morrison.”

Line up:

Shahe Skinner - Vocals

Alanson Clark - Guitar

Lloyd Harper - Bass

Craig Terrill - Keyboards

William Lynd - Drums & Percussion

From AllMusic:  “Very Rare Original Private US Heavy Psych Rock LP released on Starburst Records in 1974. 1st US pressing on the Blue label and comes complete with the insert.  Demian were a five piece Hard Rock band with very strong Prog Rock and occasional Fusion elements who hailed from East Moline, Illinois. Their sole album "Rock Star Farm", was recorded in Austin, Texas and released on the Starburst Records label in 1974. A bizarre quasi-concept album, it's distinguished by sudden time changes, and the quirky vocals of Shane Skinner, who alternates between a sonorous baritone and the occasional passage where he sings in a pitch so high that only dogs can hear. Musically, it comes off as an unlikely marriage between Bloodrock, Phantoms Divine Comedy and The Viola Crayola. Honestly, you've never heard anything like this before. A true one off.”

Stored vertically in a smoke free environment for over 42 years.