Re-Inventions: Best Of The Vanguard Years
Sandy Bull's 1965 LPInventionsremains one of those legendary albums that almost no one has heard. Its impact, however, can be scene in the title of this new compilation spotlighting a great unsung hero of "psychedelic folk." "Blend," the 22-minute opus from 1963 that opens this disc, surely fits that designation, perfectly blending folk, jazz, and Indian influences into what Bull called "new guitar raga." An eclectic virtuoso who switched from acoustic guitar to banjo to Stratocaster to oud (mostly backed solely by jazz drummer/Ornette ColemancronyBilly Higgins), Bull was all over the musical map. Thus the beautiful, soothing bossa nova of "Manha de Carnival" gives way to German classical music, which is supplanted by a cover ofChuck Berry's "Memphis." The cream of Bull's first three albums can be found here. When those old records were in stores, it's a good betLeo Kottke,Mark Knopfler,Richard Thompson,George Harrison, andJerry Garciawere taking notes.--Bill Holdship