LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Originally released in 1968, the sole album by Influence captures one of the most unusual Canadian psychedelic groups of the period. The six-piece line-up brought together musicians from varied backgrounds, with Walter Rossi and Louis McKelvey on guitars, Bob Parkin on keyboards, Jack Geisinger on bass, Dave Wynne on drums and Andrew Keiller contributing vocals.

The album ranges freely across psychedelic rock, blues, hard rock and theatrical pop. “I Don’t Know Why” has a dramatic, almost cabaret-like character, while “Pieces of Me,” “Sir Archibald” and “Natural Impulse” place greater emphasis on distorted guitar, keyboards and powerful ensemble playing.

The closing “Mad Birds of Prey” is an ambitious mini-opera filled with abrupt changes, spoken and sung passages and satirical countercultural humour. This official Pacemaker edition restores the complete original album, with “Overture” and “I Admire” presented as separate CD tracks.

1. Overture – 1:15
2. I Admire – 3:14
3. I Don’t Know Why – 4:11
4. County Fair – 4:02
5. Pieces of Me – 2:42
6. Baby That’s My Bag – 2:48
7. Sir Archibald – 3:23
8. We Are Here – 3:39
9. Natural Impulse – 3:16
10. Dream Woman – 3:40
11. Mad Birds of Prey (A Mini-Opera) – 5:53