LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

• Format: 2 × vinyl LP, archival compilation
• Packaging: Includes an eight-page booklet with the complete band history, recording information and previously unseen photographs
• Audio source: Carefully mastered from the surviving original tapes
• Special significance: First vinyl release of The Lost Souls’ surviving recordings, including previously unreleased tracks and alternate versions

The Lost Souls is an extensive archival collection devoted to one of the finest overlooked groups from Cleveland’s fertile mid-1960s rock scene. Although the band attracted a substantial local following and recorded a strong body of original material, none of its music was commercially released during its original period of activity.

The classic line-up featured Denny Carleton on rhythm guitar and vocals, Denny Marek on lead guitar, Chuck McKinley on bass and vocals, Larry Tomczak on drums, and Rich Schouenaur on saxophone and flute. The additional use of mandolin, flute and saxophone gave the group a broader musical range than the standard guitar, bass and drums format employed by most contemporary garage bands.

The Lost Souls formed while the musicians were students in Euclid, Ohio, and quickly progressed from school and church dances to the popular Hullabaloo club circuit. At the height of their local success, they appeared at Cleveland Stadium and placed second in the citywide 1967 Battle of the Bands.

The earliest recordings reveal a strong British Invasion influence, with melodic songwriting, vocal harmonies and jangling guitars balanced by the tougher energy of American garage rock. “Love I Won’t Admit,” “Look at Me” and “Walking Out on Me” are concise, immediately appealing performances, while “Things That Are Important” and “Dare to Surmise” display increasingly ambitious structures and more reflective lyrics.

As the band developed, its music moved into more adventurous psychedelic territory. “If These Are Men,” “Trashcan Throne,” “I Can See Beyond Your Lies” and “Moonlight Rebellion” combine unusual rhythmic changes, prominent bass, flute, fuzz guitar and increasingly experimental arrangements.

The collection also includes rare live recordings from venues and school performances around Cleveland. These tracks preserve the excitement of the group’s stage act and demonstrate why The Lost Souls became one of the region’s most popular unsigned bands.

The fourth side follows principal songwriter Denny Carleton after The Lost Souls disbanded. It includes related recordings by The Choir, theatrical rock group Moses, experimental band Milk, Carleton as a solo performer and The Cleveland Cuties, showing his progression from garage rock through psychedelia, power pop and eccentric early-seventies underground music.

Spanning 29 tracks across two records, this Lion Productions edition finally gives The Lost Souls’ surviving recordings the comprehensive vinyl presentation they deserve. The accompanying booklet documents the group’s story and places the music within the wider Cleveland scene that also produced The Choir, the James Gang, the Raspberries and the Damnation of Adam Blessing.

Track listing:

LP 1 – Side A

1. Love I Won’t Admit
2. Look at Me
3. Walking Out on Me
4. Things That Are Important
5. Let’s Get Away
6. Dare to Surmise
7. If These Are Men

LP 1 – Side B

1. Josephine
2. Trashcan Throne
3. Livin’ the Way I Want
4. I’m Falling – Live at North Ridgeville Hullabaloo, 1967
5. I Want You – Live at St. Felicitas, 1965
6. The Choir – If These Are Men
7. Denny Carleton – Moonlight Rebellion (Key One)

LP 2 – Side C

1. Wathcha Gonna Do
2. Pro Break Song – Live at St. Joseph High School
3. Things That Are Important – Alternate Version
4. I’m Falling – Alternate Live Version
5. Diamond Head
6. I Can See Beyond Your Lies
7. Oh Yes

LP 2 – Side D

1. The Choir – Mummer Band
2. Moses – Middle of an Island
3. Milk – Alice
4. Denny Carleton – I’m Not Busy, It’s Just the Phone
5. The Cleveland Cuties – Could She Love Me
6. The Lost Souls – Pregnant Molly
7. The Lost Souls – Sometimes I Wonder
8. The Lost Souls – Moonlight Rebellion (Key Two)