LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

First issued by Columbia in Canada in 1971, Mr. Oil Man is the only album by the Jarvis Street Revue, a psychedelic rock group from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Its fierce distorted guitars, raw vocals and heavy rhythm section are matched by unusually direct lyrics confronting pollution, corporate power and the destructive pursuit of profit.

“Mr. Business Man” opens the album with compact garage-rock energy before the twelve-minute title track stretches into an intense mixture of environmental protest, ominous narration and acid-guitar improvisation. The second side moves between the reflective “20 Years,” the darkly humorous “Sally’s Hymn” and the forceful closing track “Heidi-Ho (Let Her Go).”

This Lion Productions reissue is limited to 500 copies and comes in a substantial tip-on gatefold jacket. An accompanying insert includes the band’s history, photographs, lyrics and additional archival material.

1. Mr. Business Man – 2:41
2. Mr. Oil Man – 12:27

1. 20 Years – 3:08
2. Sally’s Hymn (Smoker’s Funeral Song) – 4:44
3. 300 South – 2:40
4. Heidi-Ho (Let Her Go) – 3:29

Edition: Limited vinyl LP reissue of 500 copies

Packaging: Heavy tip-on gatefold jacket with illustrated archival insert