Episode 95
Early Intersections of Rock and Electronic Music
 
Playlist
Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention, “The Return of the Son Of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet In Two Tableaus)” from Freak Out! (1966 Verve). Bass, Guitarrón, Soprano Vocals, Roy Estrada; Drums, Jimmy Carl Black; Guitar, Vocals, Arranged By, Written-By, Leader, Musical Director, Frank Zappa; Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Elliot Ingber; Vocals, Harmonica, Tambourine, Finger Cymbals, Ray Collins. Having been gifted a copy of the Mother’s album Freak Out! In 1966, it was apparently this song that stuck in Paul McCartney’s mind, inspiring the “Carnival of Light” recording to follow. 12:15
The Beatles, “Carnival of Light” an unreleased track that was commissioned by the Million Volt Light and Sound Rave, an event held at the Roundhouse in London on January 28 and February 4, 1967. Recorded during a session for the song "Penny Lane" in January 1967. Working with the recording studio as a creative tool, this was a project brought to band by Paul McCartney who had been asked by the festival sponsors to create a tape to be featured at the event. It was reported later that McCartney explained the exercise to his bandmates by saying, "This is a bit indulgent, but would you mind giving me 10 minutes? I've been asked to do this thing. All I want you to do is just wander round all of the stuff and bang it, shout, play it." The result was this sound piece. The Beatles were already conditioned for turning out spectacular sound effects in the studio. This was before the Moog Synthesizer came to Abbey Road. Nonetheless, they had access to all manner of guitar effects, echo, reverb, a Mellotron, electronic piano, organ, Lesley speakers and other devices with which to improvise. 13:08
The Riders Of The Mark, “The Electronic Insides And Metal Complexion That Make Up Herr Doktor Krieg” from The Electronic Insides And Metal Complexion That Make Up Herr Doktor Krieg/Gotta Find Somebody (1967 20th Century Fox). I wish I knew more about this band, but I don’t. They had this one single. It has sometimes been included on compilation of psychedelia. Rock music, tape reversal, tape echo, fuzz tones, guitars. 2:13
Pink Floyd, “Interstellar Overdrive” from The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967 Columbia). UK release of the formidable Pink Floyd, then making an impact with their first LP. No synthesizers, but there were electronic rock instruments galore and some imaginative stereo imaging, a benefit of working with tape in those days. Bass Guitar, Vocals, Roger Waters; Lead Guitar, Vocals, Syd Barrett; Drums, Nicky Mason; Piano, Organ, Rick Wright. 9:40
Bernard Parmegiani, “Pop’eclectic (1968)” from JazzEx (1999 Plat Lunch). Composed, produced, edited by Bernard Parmegiani. Parmegiani was one of the lesser-known composers associated with the French musique concrete school, although he was no less prolific in many genres, including electronic music for commercials. He was adept at experimenting across genres, providing musique concrete vividness to works for jazz and rock music. I always find his work to be refreshing and uncluttered by musical cliches. 11:03
(Frank Zappa) The Mothers of Invention, “Are You Hung Up?” from We're Only In It For The Money (1968 Verve). Arranged By, Composed By, Conductor, Concept By Conceived, Directed By Executed, Producer, Frank Zappa; Bass, Vocals, Other Asthma, Roy Estrada; Drums, Trumpet, Vocals, Other Indian Of The Group, Jimmy Carl Black; Drums, Vocals, Other Yak & Black Lace Underwear, Billy Mundi; Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Edited By, Other Weirdness, Frank Zappa; Piano, Woodwind, Other Wholesome, Ian Underwood; Saxophone, Other Weirdness & Teen Appeal, Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood; Sounds Snorks, Dick Barber; Voice Creepy Whispering, Engineer, Gary Kellgren; Voice Telephone, Suzy Creamcheese; Woodwind, “Mumbled Weirdness,” Bunk Gardner. 1:30
Silver Apples, “Velvet Cave” from Silver Apples (1968 Kapp). Composed and Arranged by, Dan Taylor, Simeon; Pe