C.A. Quintet


Band members                             Related acts

  line up 1 (1966-67)

- Jimmy Erwin -- vocals, bass 
- Ken Erwin -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet 

- Larry Honart -- lead guitar
- Paul Samuels -- drums, percussion
- Tom Reid -- keyboards 

 

  line up 2 (1967-68)

- Jimmy Erwin - - vocals, bass 
- Ken Erwin -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet 

- Larry Honart -- lead guitar
- Paul Samuels -- drums, percussion
NEW - Doug "Beaver" Reynolds -- vocals, keyboards (replaced Tom Reid)

 

  line up 3 (1968)

- Jimmy Erwin - - vocals, bass 
- Ken Erwin - - vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet 
NEW - Rick Patron -- drums, percussion  (replaced Paul Samuels)
NEW - Tom Pohling (RIP 2003) -- lead guitar (replaced Larry Honart)
- Doug "Beaver" Reynolds -- vocals, keyboards 

 

  line up 4 (1968)

- Jimmy Erwin - - vocals, bass 
- Ken Erwin -- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet 
NEW - Rick Johnson  -- drums, percussion  (replaced Rick Patron)
- Tom Pohling (RIP 2003) -- lead guitar
- Doug "Beaver" Reynolds -- vocals,, keyboards

 

  line up 5 (1968-69)

NEW - Donnie Chapin - (RIP 1984) -- drums, percussion 

  (replaced Rick Johnson)

- Jimmy Erwin - vocals, bass
- Ken Erwin - vocals, trumpet
- Tom Pohling (RIP 2003) - lead guitar
- Doug "Beaver" Reynolds - vocals, keyboards

 

 


 

 

- Comfort Station (Doug Reynolds)

 

 

 


 

Genre: psych

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Trip Thru Hell

Company: Psycho

Catalog: 12

Country/State: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Year: 1983

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: unauthorized UK repressing with one of the tracks missing

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 20288

Price: $60.00

 

Here's one of the holy grails of the psych collecting community.  It has a special place in my heart since Ervin was kind enough to let me interview him for a lengthy article that showed up in Goldmine.   I've seen people willing to sell body parts for an original copy of this obscurity.  While the album's good, save those medical costs and consider buying our unauthorized 1983 Psycho reissue (which is missing one channel of sound) for a fraction of the cost of an original pressing ...

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, C.A. Quintet showcased the talents of brothers Jimmy and Ken Erwin (bass and vocals/horns and vocals respectively).  The line up was rounded out by drummer Rick Patron, guitarist Tom Pohling and keyboardist Doug Reynolds.  Starting out as a rather faceless cover band, by 1967 the band had attracted a small fan base and the attention of the local Falcon label which financed a pair of obscure, but enjoyable pop-rock singles:

- 1967's 'Mickey's Monkey' b/w 'I Want You To Love Me Girl' (Falcon catalog number 70-A/B)

- 1967's 'Blow To My Soul' b/w 'She's Got To Be True' Falcon catalog number 71-A/B). 

 

While neither single sold substantial quantities, they attracted the attention of the equally obscure Minnesota-based Candy Floss label which promptly signed the band to a recording contract. 

Released in 1968, "Trip Thru' Hell" was easily one of the year's odder concept pieces. Produced and largely written by Ken, material such as the extended two-part instrumental title track (bother Jimmy kicking in a great bass pattern), the freak out 'Cold Spider' and 'Sleepy Hollow Lane' sported dark, disturbing and occasionally drugged out auras. Ervin wasn't the most gifted singer you've ever heard, but buried under the odd arrangements, Pholing's jarring guitar, Reynolds' stabbing keyboards and assorted sound effects (bells, anguished female screams, etc.), the results were surprisingly entertaining. Interestingly, although recorded at a small studio, the set sounds great!  Top-notch production and the sound effects make it an excellent collection to hear with headphones. Recalling the pop edge of their  earlier singles, 'Colorado Mourning' and the horn-propelled 'Underground Music' both sported a more conventional blue-eyed soul feel, though the latter managed to include some stunning Pholing double tracked, freak-out guitar soloing.  As mentioned earlier, this one's widely acclaimed as a psych masterpiece. With fewer than 1,000 copies originally printed, the album's become highly sought after and extremely expensive. It's good and well worth hearing, however for most folks, probably isn't worth the current $1,000 plus asking price.  Now if I had $1,000 to blow ...   yeah, I'd probably take the dive.

"Trip Thru' Hell" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Trip Thru Hell, Pt. 1 (instrumental)   (Ken Erwin - Doug Reynolds) - 9:00  rating: *** stars

Powered by a haunting Jimmy Erwin bass line, the title track featured a moody instrumental that ranged from the kind of thing you don't want to play for your kids in the dark to the kind of beauty found in a Gregorian chant (check out the female backing vocals.  Less impressive was the fact a large section of the tune was devoted to an extended Rick Patron drum solo.  Yeah, if you were a drummer, that might have provided the song's highlight ...
2.) Colorado Mourning   (Ken Erwin) - 2:10  
rating: **** stars

It sounded like they'd recorded it at the bottom of a well, but 'Colorado Mourning' underscored the band's knack for incorporating commercial, radio friendly moves in their catalog.  Would not have sounded out of place on late-'60s FM radio.  Always liked Ken's backing trumpet.
3.) Cold Spider   (Ken Erwin) - 4:38  
rating: **** stars

'Cold Spider' is one of the tunes that underscores the band's psychedelic credentials.  And once again, Erwin managed to find a way to blend the bizarre with a surprisingly commercial edge.  The song also served as a nice platform for Tom Pohling's wigged out, fuzz drenched lead guitar.

(side 2)

1.) Underground Music (Ken Erwin) - 4:39   rating: **** stars

If you ever doubted a psychedelic tune could include a horn arrangement, then 'Underground Music' might be a good place to dissuade you of that notion. Slapped on top of a mesmerizing Doug Reynold organ pattern, Pholing's wah-wah guitar and what sounded like electric sitar made this one criminally addictive.
2.) Sleepy Hollow Lane (Ken Erwin) - 1:37
   rating: *** stars

I'd argue keyboardist Doug Reynolds was the band's secret sauce.  While not a spotlight hog like so many of his contemporaries, as exemplified on 'Sleepy Hollow Lane', Reynold's playing was always tasteful and understated.
3.) Smooth as Silk (Ken Erwin) - 2:12
   rating: **** stars

 

 

'Smooth as Silk' was a near perfect blend of blue-eyed soul, rock, and psychedelic influences.  Another track that has one of those melodies that bores into your head and won't leave you alone.  Shame the single was ignored by everyone.  By the way, the non-alum "B" side 'Dr. of Philosophy' was equally enjoyable.

 

- 1969's 'Smooth As Silk' b/w 'Dr. of Philosophy' (Candy Floss catalog number C.F. 102)

 

4.) Trip Thru Hell, Pt. 2 (Ken Erwin) - 3:30   rating: *** stars

Opening the title track reprise, Rick Patron's martial drumming took you a moment to get acclimated to.  Once again Jimmy Erwin's bass line took center state and while nowhere near as trippy as "Part 1", it made for a tuneful way to end the album. 

 

 

 



Genre: psych

Rating: **(2 stars)

Title:  C.A. Quintet Live 1971

Company: private press

Catalog: none

Country/State: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Year: 1984

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: signed by keyboardist Doug Reynolds on front cover

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4742

Price: $100.00

 

This live set was apparently released in the wake of the unexpected success enjoyed by an earlier bootleg release of the group's 1969 studio album.  Supposedly only 500 copies were pressed.  

 

First the good news. Given the primitive conditions under which this album was recorded, the sound is surprisingly good.  According to Ken Ervin's liner notes, 'This recording was made simply by laying down two microphones on the floor in front of the group.  They just happened to be in the best location for the circumstances.'   Now the bad news.  Capturing the band at what was to be their final performance at Lake Pepin High School, "C.A. Quintet Live 1971" sounds like a band drawing its last creative gasps which was pretty much the situation.  Original singer/bassist Jim Ervin had quit the band leaving brother Jim to switch over to bass.  Drummer Rick Patton was also gone, leaving Donnie Chapin to step in.

 

So what's this thing sound like?  Well 'Bayou Jam' is a needless side long mixture of popular rock hits including snippets of CCR's 'Down On the Bayou' and The Stones' 'Satisfaction'.  It's listenable, but nothing you couldn't hear on any Friday evening at your local brewpub.  Best thing I can say about it is that the 14 minutes go by quickly (okay the drum solo slows everything down for a couple of minutes).  The Ken Ervin original 'Country Boy' is actually pretty good, though the country-rock sound is a little bit unexpected.  Judging by this track these guys weren't bad in a live setting.  The extended cover of Spirit's 'Fresh Garbage' also has it's moments - notably for giving guitarist Tom Pohling a chance to stretch out.  Certainly not essential, but I've heard far worse.  

 

"C.A. Quintet Live 1971" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Bayou Jam - 14:40

(side 2)

1.) Country Boy   (Ken Erwin) - 4:40

2.) Fresh Garbage Jam - 10:10

 

 


Genre: psych

Rating: **(2 stars)

Title:  Last Trip At Lake Pepin

Company: Swordfish

Catalog: SFCQLP1

Country/State: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Year: 2006

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: includes insert

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $100.00

 

I guess you can't blame a record label for trying to grab every last dollar of disposable income they can from fans and collectors.  As a buyer you always have the right to just say no.

 

This 2006 set is billed as "recorded live at the financial performance of the C.A. Quintet in January 1972 at Lake Pepin High School, Wisconsin U.S.A.".    At that's exactly what you get.  On display is a band that's clearly competent and surprisingly energetic and enthusiastic as they plow through an eight song mixture of popular hits (Beatles, Cream, Doors) along with a pair of never released band originals - Kevin Erwin's '4am In New York City' and 'China Chopper'.

 

Given these eight selections were recorded on a two track tape machine, the sound quality was acceptable.  With former band front man remixing the tapes, I've certainly heard worse.  

 

"Last Trip At Lake Pepin" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) And Your Bird Can Sing   (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 

2.) Badge  (Eric Clapton - George Harrison) - 5:36

I'm not going to tell you this is a mind blowing cover.  The sound quality was marginal, but the band  certainly knew the song well and while he was a bit raw and scatchy, Doug Reynolds sounded suitably enthusiasitc.  Kudos to Jimmy Erwin for his bass work.  Here's what the Kevin Erwin had to say about the performance: "We recorded it live the last night we played together in 1971 as a band.  It is just one of many song and well will be putting here as lone as we are still around.  The singer Doug Reynol was a brother to all of us and my singer."

3.) Born To Be Wild   (Mars Bonfire)

4.) I'm a Man  *(Steve Winwood - Miller)

(side 2)

1.) 4am In New York City   (K. Erwin)

2.) Light My Fire   (Jim Morrison - Robbie Krieger)

3.) Wild Child   (Jim Morrison) 

4.) China Chopper  (K. Erwin)

 

he ongoing interest in ever more obscure '60s recordings has thrown up some good stuff along the way. In the past they'd be released in dire quality bootleg pressings but these days things have gone up a notch. Good pressings and -gasp!- at affordable prices. So here's one more LP to add to your, ummm, iPlod. 

Back in 1969 Minneapolis quartet CA Quintet got together to form, what past for in those days, a psychedelic sound fused with garage. They stuck at it for 2 years during which time they put out one album, the now much loved 'A Trip Through Hell' in an edition of 1000. A cruddy bootleg version of it came out in the early '80s. Avoid it like the proverbial wotnot. A far, far superior re-release has just been put out by the reliable Sundazed label both in cd and double-LP format, with 12 previously unheard recordings and an info-jammed booklet. S'good. 

So where does this Live album, the only live recording the band made, fit in? In response to the bootleg LP that came out, in 1984 the band put out three live tracks (not sure what format) from their final show. Then in 2006 the master tapes of the show were found. 

The album itself is a rollocking good listen and slightly bizarre. The band give it a bit of welly, as every garage band ought to, so there's an urgency in their rough and ready playing. They were certainly heavier than all the West Coast bands and would give many of the New York bands a run for their money, but if you're expecting something on the lines of Jimi Hendrix at his wah-wah best when you see the word 'psychedelia', forget it. There's no such thing. Clearly live CA Quintet  couldn't replicate their far more colourful and adventurous studio work, so instead  they went for the full-on garage sound. 

Doug Reynolds keyboards give it that all important Hammond swirl. He'd been draughted by the army just before their studio album came out and had only just rejoined the band. Ah well. 

The audience are.... well, dead silent. Either the band went down like Jonathan King at a jamboree or the microphones didn't pick up the sound. The sound quality is much better than expected. They run through a few crowd pleasing (?!) covers like 'And Your Bird Can Sing", 'Born to be Wild', 'Light My Fire', 'Badge' and a version of 'I'm a Man' which is only outdone in inappropriateness by the version done by The Chancellors in 1965. 

Vocalist and songwriter Ken Erwin, who also doubled up on the bass playing duties for the absent Jim Erwin who had left the band by the, has written some fine liner notes for this edition, filling in a few of the many holes in their history.

 Pressed up in 180g vinyl and a limited edition, although no-one's saying as to how limited. Another well-presented release by the Swordfish label. HM

Contact: www.swordfishrecords.com

 

 

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