Mountain Music - The Polydor Recordings 1970-1973

Product Info

2CD : Double CD Remastered and Expanded Editions

More Info

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered 2 CD set by legendary cult Danish Progressive Rock band CULPEPER’S ORCHARD, “Mountain Music – The Polydor Recordings 1971 – 1973”. The band formed in Copenhagen in 1970 with an original line-up of CY NICKLIN (Vocals, Guitar), NEILS HENRIKSEN (Lead Guitar, Piano), MICHAEL FRIIS (Bass, Organ, Flute) and RODGER BARKER (Drums, Percussion). Englishman Nicklin had been living in Denmark since 1963 and had also recorded with Sandy Denny and the Strawbs whilst that act had been based in Copenhagen. In 1968 he had been a founder member of another legendary Danish band, DAY OF PHOENIX, but had departed to form his own band with Danes Henriksen and Friis and English drummer Rodger Barker. Culpeper’s Orchard signed to Polydor Records in Denmark and issued their self-titled debut album in March 1971.
The album was a fine example of psychedelic, progressive rock, drawing on a myriad of diverse influences from rock, folk and the US West Coast bands of the time. The album gained a release throughout much of Europe and has subsequently earned its place as a legendary psychedelic progressive album with original vinyl copies changing hands for three figure sums.

Following this successful debut, the band recorded the album “SECOND SIGHT” in 1972, with drummer KEN GUDMAN (formerly with The Savage Rose) replacing Rodger Barker. The album was an equally fine work and took in more US West Coast acoustic influences as well as retaining a rock edge. Culpeper’s Orchard performed regularly in Scandinavia on bills with many major artists, but the band’s line-up would change once more by the time of their third and final album for Polydor, “GOING FOR A SONG”, recorded in the Autumn of 1972. Neils Henricksen departed and was replaced by Neils Vangkilde on guitar. Nils Tuxen was also recruited on Pedal Steel guitar and British drummer Tom McEwan replaced Ken Gudman.

The album took in more influences from artists such as Crosby, Stills and Nash and earned critical praise but wasn’t the wider breakthrough the band had hoped for. It would be the band’s final album for Polydor records. A hiatus followed live performances the following year (which included an appearance at the Ragnarock Festival in Norway alongside acts such as the Pretty Things and Mungo Jerry). The band would record a final album in a different stylistic vein three years later, but their albums for Polydor, and in particular their debut, are those for which Culpeper’s Orchard are most fondly remembered.

Tracklist

1. BANJOCUL
2. MOUNTAIN MUSIC PART 1
3. HEY YOU PEOPLE
4. TEA PARTY FOR AN ORCHARD
5. ODE TO RESISTANCE
6. YOUR SONG AND MINE
7. GIDEON’S TRAP
8. BLUE DAY’S MORNING
9. MOUNTAIN MUSIC PART 2
TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM “CULPEPER’S ORCHARD” RELEASED AS POLYDOR 2380 006 IN 1971
10.STEAMHOUSE
A-SIDE OF SINGLE RELEASED AS POLYDOR 2054 033 IN 1971
11.JULIA
12.KEYBOARD WALTZ
13.CLASSIFIED ADS
14.LATE NIGHT WOMAN BLUES
TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM “SECOND SIGHT” RELEASED AS POLYDOR 2380 018 IN 1972

1. MIND POLLUTION / WEATHER REPORT
2. AUTUMN OF IT ALL
3. SATISFIED MIND
TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM “SECOND SIGHT” RELEASED AS POLYDOR 2380 018 IN 1972
4. TRYING TO FIND HOME
5. SHE’S BACK AGAIN
6. GOOD DAYS
7. ALONE IN PAIN
8. TIME FLIES
9. SAILOR
10.COULDN’T BE BETTER
11.ROGER AND OUT
12.BEFORE IT BEGUN
13.NEW DAY, NEW DAY
TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM “GOING FOR A SONG” RELEASED AS POLYDOR 2380 020 IN 1972
14.RAVING
TAKEN FROM THE COMPILATION “DANSKE ARBEJDE 2” RELEASED IN DENMARK AS POLYDOR 3210 102 IN 1972
15.SATISFIED MIND (LIVE AT RAGNAROCK FESTIVAL 1973)
16.GOOD DAYS (LIVE AT RAGNAROCK FESTIVAL 1973)
TAKEN FROM THE ALBUM “RAGNAROCK ‘73” RELEASED IN NORWAY AS POLYDOR 2382 039 IN 1973