ALEXANDER “SKIP” SPENCE - AND OAR AGAIN 3LP

A landmark album from Skip Spence -- the onetime lead singer of Moby Grape, cast out of the group on his own by the time of this debut solo album -- a record that's as powerful as it is fragile, and which has been the one lasting musical legacy of the man himself! The record almost sunk without a trace at the time, but has gone onto become the stuff of legend over the decade -- supported by fellow singers, songwriters, and even a fair bit of the music press -- who all shine key light on the record's unique, ahead of its time quality! Spence recorded the set for the same Columbia Records that was willing to take a chance on the early Leonard Cohen records -- and there's a similarly singular vibe to Skip's approach -- one that puts the whole thing at the level of "missed the first time around -- but never again!" albums by later-decade legends like Big Star, Nick Drake, and maybe even Cohen. The style is hard to describe -- similar reworking of roots-though-psych as Moby Grape, but a lot more intimate too -- with so many lost dark corners, the set will be rewarding your ears for years to come! Titles include his original "Cripple Creek", plus "Diana", "Margaret Tiger Rug", "Weighted Down", "Little Hands", "Books Of Moses", "All Come To Meet Her", "Broken Heart", and "War In Peace". This 3CD set is incredible -- and features 2 1/2 CDs' worth of previously unreleased material -- along with a huge booklet of notes as well! Unreleased tracks include "This Time He Has Come", "It's The Best Thing For You", "Keep Everything Under Your Hat", "If I'm Good", "Furry Heroine", "Fountain", "Doodle", "I Think You & I", "You Know", "My Friend", "The Shape You're In", "I Want A Rock & Roll Band", "She Don't Care", and "Keep Everything Under Your Hat" -- plus a huge amount of alternates and unusual versions of songs!