Stark, Peter


Band members               Related acts

- Wendell Bigelow - drums (1976)

- Hal Davis - guitar (1976)

- Dave Mason - bass, guitar (1976)

- Rick Ed Robb - percussion (1976)

- Peter Ruth - harmonica (1976)

- Willard Spencer - banjo (1976)

- Ben Stark - vocals, guitar (1976)

- Peter Stark - vocals, guitar, dulcimer (1976)

 

 

 

- none known

 

 


 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Mushroom Country

Company: Montage

Catalog: --

Year: 1976

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: opened to tape; still in shrink wrap

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4135

Price: $120.00

Cost: $65.00

 

Here's one of those mystery acts that seem to vanish with little trace ...  From the LP's liner notes we know that 1976's "Mushroom Country" was recorded at "The Mike" Studios in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but that's about the extent of our bibliographical knowledge on this guy ...

 

So what's this obscurity sound like?  Well there's a reference work out there that describes this album in two words - "cosmic folk".  Surprisingly, that review ain't too far off the mark. Largely written by Peter Stark (brother Ben contributing "Au Sable Country") the set has a certain low-fi, "real person" charm.  Musically there isn't much of an agenda here, Stark and company bouncing around genres, including competent stabs at raga (the leadoff instrumental "Raga for Bayleaf "), folk ("You Make Me Feel") and even blues ("Searching").  Personal favorite, their harmonica driven cover of Donvan's "Hey Gyp".  It isn't bad, but nothing here will really change your world and one's left to assume that collector interest is driven by the LP's relative rarity, as opposed to content.

 

"Mushroom Country" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Raga for Bayleaf (instrumental)   (Peter Stark) - 3:36

2.) Many Times   (Peter Stark) - 2:56

3.) Bumble Bee   (Peter Stark) - 2:34

4.) Au Sable Country   (Ben Stark) - 3:35

 

(side 2)

1.) Iargo Springs Boogie   (Peter Stark) - 2:55

2.) Hey Gyp   (Donovan Leitch) - 2:35

3.) You Make Me Feel   (Peter Stark) - 3:23

4.) Searching   (Peter Stark) - 3:00

5.) Reflections   (Peter Stark) - 3:55 

 

 

 

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