FRED

Fred was a US band from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, found in 1969 by a bunch of Bucknell University students.In spring 1970, when school ended, they relocated to two farm houses, performing a hippy-like life of self-preservation, far from the profit-based society and played their innovative music.Between 1971 and 1972 Fred recorded original songs at ITI Studios in Maryland.Unfortunately these would see the light only in 2001 as a self-titled album, both released in vinyl and CD formats, when World in Sound label contacted the band's guitarist Joe DeCristopher and signed the band, featuring back in the 70's a young violinist David Rose, known for his solo work as well as being a member of Transit Express in France.

The bulk of the album's material was recorded between 1971 and 1972 as aforementioned, while a few numbers come from 1970 or 1973 recordings.Depending on the year the style of Fred ranges from pure Psychedelic Rock to complex jazzy Progressive Rock and everything in between.The more accesible tracks feature plenty of vocals performed by Rose, light organ and piano sounds by keyboardist Ken Price, the fuzzy guitar playing of DeCristopher and the psychedelic rhythm section of bassist Mike Robison and drummers Bo Fox and Peter Eggers.The bucolic life of the band is evident on the easily recognizable Folk melodies, still even these tracks contain some jamming sessions with a full rich sound.A few bluesy cuts included are rather dull and out of the whole atmosphere.On the other hand there are also these well-performed moments, seeing the band in full shape and delivering more complicated offerings with obvious jazzy leanings and a few symphonic hints with Rose's excellent violin drives on the forefront, more adventurous guitar playing and some powerful keyboard work.This material is quite interesting and propably a major listening for a prog fan.

Decent Psych/Prog is the result of this effort by World in Sound label and if you like a good dose of psychedelia thrown in a sea of intricate performances, ''Fred'' will be definitely among your major preferences.A well-captured document of this lost band, which comes warmly recommended