Daevid Allen - Bananamoon Obscura No. 10: Invisible Opera Co. Of Oz - Melbourne Studio Tapes (2004) * RE-UP *

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Daevid Allen - Bananamoon Obscura No. 10: Invisible Opera Co. Of Oz - Melbourne Studio Tapes (2004) * RE-UP *

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Great sounding unreleased studio demos. Funkier, wilder and more relaxed than the released high studio gloss versions these well-known tracks are great fun and totally recommended to all who appreciate Daevid's late '80's/early '90's solo and non Gong band output. This is the most hi-fi Obscura release so far. In February 1990 Daevid returned to Melbourne from the UK where this spontaneous demo session took place at Harry Williamson's Spring Studio in St. Kilda. The all electric treatment given here by Daevid and Harry with Kangaroo Moon violinist Eliet Mackerell and the Mothergong rhythm section throws a new light on the songs.
These CDs are in matt black card covers with silver and white printing. This is the tenth of a 20CD series, each release a limited pressing of 1000 copies only - no more will be pressed.

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Daevid Allen was one of the founders of the British progressive rock band the Soft Machine in 1966. After recording just one album with the group, he became the founder/leader of Gong, which he left in 1973 to begin a solo career (though his first solo album, Banana Moon, was released in 1971 while he was still in the group). Allen explored his quirky, folky take on rock throughout the '70s and '80s on albums like 1976's Good Morning and 1983's Alien in New York. His solo work also included collaborations with underground rock impresario Kramer like 1993's Who's Afraid? and 1996's Hit Men, which was released on Kramer's Shimmy Disc label. Allen returned in 1999 with Money Doesn't Make It, followed a year later by Stroking the Tail of the Bird. Nectans Glen also followed in 2000. In 2003 Allen formed a new version of Gong with members of the Japanese collective known as Acid Mothers Temple, as well as playing and releasing material with his California-based band University of Errors. He continues to release numerous live sets and one-off collaborations in limited editions on various independent labels under his own and various group names. A best-of, Man From Gong, which only scratches the surface of his lengthy discography, appeared from Snapper Music in 2006. After a battle with cancer, Allen died in Australia in 13 March 2015 at the age of 77.

~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Most releases in the Bananamoon Obscura series are recommended only to die-hard fans of Daevid Allen, but if one of them can have a wider appeal, it is number ten. Recorded in February 1990 and billed to the Australian branch of the Invisible Opera Company, this CD presents a set of studio demos recorded with longtime associate Harry Williamson, violinist Elliet Mackrell, and the Mother Gong rhythm section (Robert George and Dougie Kerr) – excellent line-up, excellent set of songs, and very good sound. The first-released versions of several of these songs are much more sedate than what can be heard on these whimsical, beautifully arranged renditions. "Boperatica" and "Boperatico" are variations on what would become "Involve Me" a few years later, while "Trial by Headline" would qualify as the potential hit single of the album: a syncopated rap over a typically jumpy Gong beat. But the highlights are found in the three extended pieces. Clocking in at a few seconds under ten minutes, "Magick of the Circle" is full of glissando delight, supported by a fine melody and propelled by inventive psychedelic arrangements. "Idealist" is given the 12-minute electric treatment to a complex song that moves from delicate to upbeat in a matter of seconds. "Garden Song" is (along with "Never Too Late") the most acoustic selection. Its folkish treatment gives it an ageless finish, and despite its nine minutes, one wishes it would not end so soon. Of all of Allen's projects of the '80s, this album showcases his best songwriting of the era, music- and lyric-wise. A real keeper.

~ François Couture, All Music Guide

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Daevid Allen - Bananamoon Obscura No. 10: Invisible Opera Co. Of Oz - Melbourne Studio Tapes (2004) * RE-UP *

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Daevid Allen - Bananamoon Obscura No. 10: Invisible Opera Co. Of Oz - Melbourne Studio Tapes (2004) * RE-UP *

Close