line up 1 (1969)

- Denis Lepage -- keyboards

- Michel Pagliaro -- guitar

- Tony Roman -- vocals

- Andy Shorter -- drums, percussion

- Les Chanceliers (Michel Pagliaro)

- Ouba (Denis Lepage, Michel Pagliaro, Tony Roman, and 

  Andy Shorter)

- The Persuaders (Denis Lepage)

- The Stringers (Denis Lepage)

Genre: experimental

Rating: 1 star *

Title:  Reels Psychadeliques, Volume 1

Company: Revolution

Catalog: RE 8002
Year: 1969

Country/State: Canada

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1

Price: $50.00

As far as I can tell 1969's "Reels Psychadeliques, Volume 1" captured a series of live jam sessions by members of the Canadian band Ouba (keyboardist Denis Lepage, guitarist  Michel Pagliaro, Tony Roman (normally on vocals), and drummer  Andy Shorter).  Released on Roman's revolution label, if you've heard the 1968 "Ouba" album, this one seemed right up their collective artistic alley.  Most of the album was taken up by Celtic instrumental jigs - seriously, the kind of stuff you'd hear at an Irish bar on a Saturday evening.   I guess they were being serious exploring their heritage ...  Or maybe just totally stoned.  Anyhow, there were two non-jigs.   'Ballade Des Bibittes a Feu' was an in-studio jam session, but at least had rock instrumentation.  'Reel Du Sauon' was a freak-out studio jam.  It wasn't good, but at least wasn't a jig.

back cover

"Reels Psychedeliques, Volume 1" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Reel De La Grosse Jeanne (instrumental)

I guess it shouldn;t have come as a big surprise to discover 'Reel De la Grosse Jeanne' was a raw slice of Celtic dance music - basically a fiddle powered jig.   Nice tune if you were hanging around a Quebec bar on a Saturday evening.   About as psychedelic as my toothbrush.  LOL   rating; * star

2.) Reel Pour Dede (instrumental)

Hum another jig that sounded pretty much like the first song, except the fiddle was barely in tune and the rest of the band seemed to be watching television, rather than paying attention to the song.   rating: * star.

3.) Ballade Des Bibittes a Feu (instrumental)

Thank goodness - just when I thought I'd bough an album of Celtic jigs, 'Ballade Des Bibittes a Feu' gave me a little bit of hope.  Clearly an in-studio jam session, this one still had too much screeching violin, but at least it was accompanied by a full rock arrangement.  rating: *** stars

4.) Reel De St. Tite (instrumental)

So you've probably noted a pattern here - any tune that starts with 'Reel' in the title is going to be a jig ...   About the only thing to mention on this one is that it incorporate a bit of Gypsy flavor in the melody.   rating; * star

5.) Reel Du Pharmacien De Ste. Anna (instrumental)

Well, at least it was short ...   No idea why, but Revolution decided this would be a good one to release as a single:

- 1969's 'Reel Du Pharmacien De Ste. Anne' b/w 'La Ballade de Rose et Alfie' (Revolution catalog number R 2014)   rating: * stars

6.) La Ballade De Trappeur (instrumental)

Geez, were they really playing keys on this one?   rating: * stars

7.) La Modieste De Bertha (instrumental)  

More gypsy music, but with a freak-out ending ...  guess the drugs must have been kicking in around this time.   rating: * star

(side 2)
1.) Reel Du Sauon (instrumental)

Well, it opened up with some Pagliaro guitar feedback and eventually morphed into another studio jam that actually reflected - hold on for this ...   something resembling a melody.    Was it great?   Hell no,  The screaming vocal which sounded like Yoko Ono having her hand repeatedly slammed in a door, didn;t exactly help, but even with that noise going on, compared to the rest of this painful experience it was the album's highlight.  In fact, it was probably better than anything on the "Ouba" album.   rating: *** stars

2.) Reel De L'Ouncle Fred (instrumental)

Keybaord and accordion dominated this one for awhile, but then the screech fiddle came back.   rating; * star

3.) Reel De Frontenac  (instrumental)

Violin accompanied by Lepage and the rest of the band ... Dark and ominous at the start, turning jaunty at the end, Pagliaro even throwing in some jazzy chords.   Ah, thankfully we ended the album with another jig.   LOL    rating; * star

Revolution catalog number RE-8003

Hard to believe, but there's actually a follow-on album - "Reels Psychedeliques, Volume 2".  I've never had the courage to check it out.

"Reels Psychedeliques, Volume 2" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Du Foin Por Ti-Guy (instrumental)

2.) La Chose (instrumental)

3.) La Ballade Der Rose et Alfie (instrumental)

(side 2)

1.) La Nuit de Noce (instrumental)

2.) La Drave (instrumental)

3.) Un Cadeau de Michel (instrumental)