SPOOKY TOOTH: "Ceremony: An Electric Mass"

Original released on LP Island ILPS 9107

(UK, December 1969)

It's fair to say that "Ceremony: An Electric Mass" is unlike any other release by an English band normally rooted in the blues. Think of it as Spooky Tooth's version of "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" by Deep Purple, in which, after two or three promising blues-based rock releases, one member of the band somehow convinces the others to go for a wildly ambitious, experimental concept album. Jon Lord persuaded Deep Purple to dive into the deep end, and Gary Wright convinced Spooky Tooth to welcome acclaimed French composer and musique concrète pioneer Pierre Henry for this electronic mass. Henry's atonal arrangements don't fare too badly against Spooky Tooth's piercing guitars and bluesy wail, although Wright left the band after "Ceremony" (just as Lord never had the same influence on Purple again, leaving Ritchie Blackmore to lead them on to heavy metal glory). (Mark Allan in AllMusic)

SPOOKY TOOTH TWO

Original released on LP Island ILPS 9098

(UK, March 1969)

"Spooky Two" is this British blues-rock band's pièce de résistance. All eight of the tracks compound free-styled rock and loose-fitting guitar playing, resulting in some fantastic raw music. With Gary Wright on keyboards and vocals and lead singer Mike Harrison behind the microphone, their smooth, relaxed tempos and riffs mirrored bands like Savoy Brown and, at times, even the Yardbirds. With some emphasis on keyboards, songs like "Lost in My Dream" and the nine-minute masterpiece "Evil Woman" present a cool, nonchalant air that grooves and slides along perfectly. "I've Got Enough Heartache" whines and grieves with some sharp bass playing from Greg Ridley, while "Better by You, Better Than Me" is the catchiest of the songs, with its clinging hooks and desperate-sounding chorus. The last song, "Hangman Hang My Shell on a Tree," is a splendid example of the bandmembers' ability to play off of one another, mixing soulful lyrics with downtrodden instrumentation to conjure up the perfect melancholia. Although Spooky Tooth lasted about seven years, their other albums never really contained the same passion or talented collaborating by each individual musician as "Spooky Two". (Mike DeGagne in AllMusic)

SPOOKY TOOTH Debut Album

Original released on LP Island ILPS 9080

(UK, May 1968)

This full-length debut from British blues-rockers Spooky Tooth has a tone similar to Traffic with its psychedelic take on the influential pop and soul music of the '60s. A few cover tunes including Janis Ian's "Society's Child" and the Nashville Teens' "Tobacco Road" are included, but original songs like the soulful ballad "It Hurts You So" and "Bubbles" (with its Beach Boys sensibility) are the real standouts. The cheery, psychedelic "It's All About a Roundabout" is the catchiest number by far. On this dreamy cut, vocalist/keyboardist Gary Wright demonstrates some sharp melodic and compositional instincts. Although Spooky Tooth eventually became better-known for their straightforward blues-rock, the trippy pop of "It's All About" counts as a career highlight for the group. Fans of late-'60s British rock are definitely advised to check out this impressive release. (Jason Anderson in AllMusic)