St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings

by Stalk-Forrest Group

Overview

The saga of the Stalk-Forrest Group is as rich a fable as could have ever been imagined in the tentative rock & roll world of the late '60s. For the first time, the band has been properly documented on St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings. This single disc gathers all known tracks from the Elektra Records vaults featuring the band known alternately as both Oaxaca as well as the Stalk-Forrest Group. They would eventually become Blue Oeyster Cult less than 18 months after these recordings were completed. St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings contains two different, albeit completed versions of essentially the same album -- neither of which have been previously issued. Blending humorous, yet deceptively puerile, lyrics with exceptionally seasoned and intricate melodies and musical arrangements, there is more than a passing resemblance to some other late-'60s bands. The syncopated rhythms and airy harmonies found on title track "St. Cecilia" and on "Arthur Comics" bear striking resemblances to "Love Me Again" or "Small Present" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock. Likewise, the lead guitar riffs and churning beats found on "A Fact About Sneakers" and "Gil Blanco County" could easily be mistaken for unissued Love recordings -- with the latter track even replicating Arthur Lee's unique vocal delivery. Alternately, some of the heavier pieces, such as "Bonomo's Turkish Taffy" and "I'm on the Lamb" project toward the band's future as Blue Oeyster Cult. The fascinating albeit complex story of the band that began life prior to these recordings as Soft White Underbelly and would eventually become Blue Oeyster Cult is told via images and text in the 20-page liner notes booklet. As with all original Rhino Handmade titles, St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings is a limited edition via Rhino Handmade. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	04/15/2022
Label:	Wounded Bird
UPC:	0664140404625
Rank:	25526

Tracks

1. What is Quicksand?
2. I'm On the Lamb
3. Gil Blanco County
4. Donovan's Monkey
5. Ragamuffin Dumplin'
6. Curse of the Hidden Mirrors
7. Arthur Comics
8. A Fact About Sneakers
9. St. Cecilia
10. Ragamuffin Dumplin' [Original Version]
11. I'm On the Lamb [Original Version]
12. Curse of the Hidden Mirrors [Original Version]
13. Bonomo's Turkish Taffy
14. Gil Blanco County [Original Version]
15. St. Cecilia [Original Version]
16. A Fact About Sneakers [Original Version]
17. What is Quicksand? [Mono Single Version]
18. Arthur Comics [Mono Single Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stalk-Forrest Group   Primary Artist
Andy Winters   Primary Artist
Les Braunstein   Primary Artist
Eric Bloom   Primary Artist
Joe Bouchard   Primary Artist
Donald Roeser   Vocals,Guitar

Technical Credits

Andy Winters   Composer
Jay Lee   Producer
Roland Worthington Hand   Compilation Producer
Patrick Pending   Design,Art Direction
Dan Hersh   Remastering
Allen Lanier   Composer
Bill Inglot   Remastering
Lanier   Composer
Eric Bloom   Composer
Peter Siegel   Producer
Sandy Pearlman   Composer
Bryan Thomas   Liner Notes
Brian Ross-Myring   Engineer
Bryan Lasley   Design,Art Direction
Richard Meltzer   Composer
Albert Bouchard   Composer
Dennis Murphy   Producer
Joe Bouchard   Composer