Showing posts with label 180 Gram LP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 180 Gram LP. Show all posts

3/21/2018

Psychedelic Rock Review: The Damnation of Adam Blessing-The Second Damnation (180 GRAM LP)

Release Date: March 30, 2018
Label: EXIT STENCIL RECORDINGS LLC
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With The Second Damnation, The Damnation of Adam Blessing found a level maturation that was quite evident. They were poised to hit the road and become stars. Alas, that was to never happen due to label incompetence and poor marketing. It is a story that we have heard before. Timing and being in the right place is everything and you are or you’re not. As unfair as life is sometimes, that is the fate of some bands.

 
So now music fans have the opportunity to change some history of a band that unfortunately flew under the wire. These 180-gram LPs are presented with original artwork and gatefold sleeves. The kicker to this new package is that the albums on Exit Stencil Recordings are presented from the original source tapes. The sound is amazing!

The second helping of Damnation is the band confident and tight in every track. The album opens the curtains with a pulsating and driving “No Way.” Notably, the bass playing is like the pistons in an engine, firing with power and in perfect sync to push the music to new heights. Since their convincing self-titled debut, it was going to be a challenge to maintain or supersede that success.

“Money Tree” opens the B side with the same vigor as the opening track. The band sounds like a well-oiled machine that could share the stage with any top headliner of the day. The bluesy powerful vocals of Adam Blessing (William Constable), was the final touch for the amalgamation of two sides of perfected rock-blues-psychedelic music. And it was as good as I have ever had the pleasure to hear.

“New York City” woman was vintage Damnation and “In The Morning” was their statement track, a jam for the ages that carried on for over 6 minutes. All of this music was further proof that all great rock music is blues based.

It is amazing that this is one of the bands that didn’t sell a million records. Perhaps now with the original source tapes revisited on the beautiful black platter of sound, their ultimate destiny is about to change. Get it while you can!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
March 21, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By MuzikMan Reviews & News


Tracks:
Side A

01. No Way
02. Death Of A Virgin
03. Driver
04. Everyone
05. Back To The River

Side B
06. Money Tree
07. Ba-Dup
08. New York City Women
09. In the Morning
10. Smile
 

3/08/2018

Rock Vinyl Review: The Damnation of Adam Blessing-Self-Titled LP (180 Gram-Remastered From Original Source Tapes)

Release Date: March 30, 2018
Label: EXIT STENCIL RECORDINGS LLC

It was 17 years ago when I was introduced to The Damnation of Adam Blessing and their guitar player Jim Quinn. At that time their albums were reissued on the now defunct Akarma Records label. I remember how much I loved their sound. Little did I know that 17 years later I would be listening to the same music remastered from the original source tapes from the UMG vaults. The Akarma releases were recorded from the albums.

I have been staying in touch with Jim over the years. He came knocking on my door again with the good news. He told me these albums now sounded incredible! I am here to tell you he was speaking the truth.

Their self-titled release came out in 1969. If you sat down and listened to this album today you would never know that it was nearly 50 years ago that this music was recorded. Their sound was a blues-based rock with a definitive psychedelic twist. 

The first side of the platter kicks off with the amazing “Cookbook.” The lead singer Adam Blessing (AKA William Constable) reminded me very strongly of how Burton Cummings sounded of the Guess Who. His vocals were robust with a resonating range that stays with you. Their version of “Morning Dew” was absolutely killer as well. Working from strength to strength, the band was a tight knit unit firing on all cylinders.

The second side kicks open the door with a rocking cover of The Monkees “Last Train To Clarksville.” I really appreciated it (purists be damned!). This particular track shined the light on their versatility. Speaking of that…the curtain closer “Lonely,” is filled with some very cool jazz riffs from Mr. Quinn. They took a step away from their defined sound and ventured into another realm - and the result was superb!

The Damnation of Adam Blessing was an excellent band recording an incredibly entertaining debut. If they arrived today their retro sound would have been welcomed with open arms. They would be superstars. The problem with showing up in 1969 was the competition. The other bands that were making it big back then are now legendary. 

Perhaps now is the time we all took notice of an incredible band that flew underneath the radar on a national scope. This newly remastered version on a fine slice of heavy vinyl will impress, I have no doubts.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
March 7, 2018
Founder of:

Review Provided By MuzikMan's Reviews & News

Tracks:
 
Side A:

1. Cookbook
2. Morning Dew
3. Le' Voyage
4. You Don't Love Me
5. Strings and Things


Side B :
6. Last Train To Clarksville
7. Dreams
8. Hold On
9. Lonely