NIRVANA Songs of Love & Praise ORIGINAL '72 UK psych LP
$
90
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Description
Nearly impossible to find ORIGINAL pressing of the UK Nirvana’s final album, 1972’s “Songs of Love and Praise”. If 1970’s “Dedicated to Markos III” sold only a few hundred, I can only imagine how FEW of these actually made it into the public’s hands, despite the band reworking two of their most memorable songs, “Rainbow Chaser” and “Pentecost Hotel”. If that’s perceived as a band running out of original ideas, you’d be wrong – the re-recorded version of “Rainbow Chaser” presented here sounds infinitely more dynamic, more ALIVE – the huge vocal choir that appears in the chorus now makes the song literally seem to LIFT off the vinyl and soar toward the heavens, literally chasing the rainbows it’s always promised to. And that’s what makes “Songs of Love and Praise” a wonderful finale to Nirvana’s career – it seems like here, finally, they’ve been given an unlimited budget and all the tools needed to bring their intricate songs to life – full orchestras, choirs, sound effects, and the fact that now, 5 years after their debut, master tapes have more tracks, and Nirvana make full use of ‘em here. Which is no more evident than on their final single (included here), “Stadium”, about as ambitious a production as the Koobas amazing “Barricades”. “Stadium” opens with a fanfare of horns that’s so dramatic, you’d think it was a lost Olympics theme, followed by the sound of gunfire, devastating blasts of tympani and a myriad of swirling strings. A lengthy and jazzy piano solo sends this dangerously close to Emerson Lake and Palmer territory, back when the trio’s egos were still relatively in check, or like some big budget hybrid of Procol Harum and the Nice. There’s no sign of a band running out of steam here – in fact, Nirvana come up with some of the most ambitious, and most exciting songs of their career on this album. Two songs even flirt with glam rock, believe it or not. “She’s Lost It” is a great title, and opens with a barrage of unanswered questions – “Are they afraid? Are they ashamed? But who is to blame?” before diving headlong into a nifty little acoustic boogie like early T. Rex jamming to the Who’s “Magic Bus”. There’s more gunfire and explosions at the end, leading me to believe that either there’s a grand statement being made here, or that the band was just intent on spending every last shilling of their monster budget. The gentle ballad “I Need Your Love” benefits from some great liquidy distorted guitar licks, and comes off sounding like a late Jimi Hendrix ballad - like “Angel” – before heading off into a 1972 T. Rex “Slider” sound on the chorus, complete with those high-pitched Flo and Eddie backing vocals (only this time sung by real GIRLS). It’s a shame Nirvana disbanded after this album – they’ve never sounded more majestic, while at the same time sounding remarkably current. And that’s one BEAUTIFUL sleeve too! Original 1972 pressing on the UK Philips label. Cover’s in EXCELLENT shape with very minor corner wear. Vinyl plays strong VG++ to EXCELLENT.
Winning bidder pays $4.50 for media mail shipping plus tracking in the US, $8 air mail to Canada, $14 everywhere else. Paypal, Bidpay, checks and money orders accepted. And please be sure to check out my other auctions for more vinyl obscurities, and I will combine shipping costs on multiple wins.
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