LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

An Ace / Vanguard contribution to Record Store Day

Deep within the Vanguard Records vaults lies a curious story framed by some of the craziest and most mysterious green and purple paisley'd rock music to come out of the mid-to-late-sixties.

Follow Me Down: Vanguard's Lost Psychedelic Era (1966-1970), co-produced by Vanguard staffer Stephen Brower and Birdman Records founder David Katznelson, is a double gatefold, 18 track vinyl compilation that encompasses hand-selected tracks from Vanguard's best "lost" records and 45's. Many of the bands featured here only released one record, or a smattering of singles, before drifting into obscurity, though many of the artists went on to greater fame after their stint at Vanguard was done. And while they are stylistically varied, there lies a common thread of musical proficiency and integrity that represents the trademark of quality Vanguard strived (and still strives) to uphold...no matter how bombastic, fuzz-soaked or outer-worldly the music may have seemed.

Track Listing:

Side A

• GETTING TOGETHER - The Third Power
• YOU SAID/BUT I'VE GOT MY WAY - Erik
• STONED IS - Listening
• A NICKEL'S WORTH OF BENNY'S HELP - The 31st of February

Side B

• YOU SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL - Elizabeth
• I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR PROBLEM - Jeff Monn
• SEE YOU AGAIN - Listening
• TRAVELIN' AROUND - Circus Maximus
• TAKE MY HAND - The Frost LP 2

Side C

• WHERE I'M AT - Notes From The Underground
• I CAN'T MAKE A FRIEND - The Vagrants
• THE ENDLESS TUNNEL - Serpent Power
• SAIGON GIRLS - The Family of Apostolic

Side D

• PERSECUTION - The Third Power
• WHY DID YOU PUT ME ON - Notes From The Underground
• DID YOU HAVE TO RUB IT IN? - The Hi-Five
• HELLHOUND - The Far Cry
• BIG TIME SPENDER - The Frost