SONG OF INNOCENCE

A musical genius coming from the orchestral jazz.

I don't know much of David Axelrod other than what wikipedia and of course PA say. I went to this album from the Electric Prunes, and this is totally different from what I was expecting. This is orchestral music, mainly coming from orchestral jazz but highly contaminated by the American psychedelia of the 60s. The production and the sounds are in advance respect to the 1968, but what is really amazing is the composition.

He doesn't have anything less than more acclaimed contemporary authors. "The Smile" is a jazz symphony that also Gershwin would applaud to.

Then the member's musicianship is remarkable. Earl Palmer, recently passed over, at the drums and Carol Kaye (no relation with Tony) at bass guitar. Look at her page on wikipedia to have an idea of who she was and listen to this album to have an idea of her skill. (And to some Frank Zappa albums lineup).

All the tracks are equally good. The opener "Urizen", likely inspired to William Blake, is where the psychedelic influence is initially evident, other than in the kaleidoscopic mandala of the cover design, while the title track is totally symphonic. All of them contain jazz elements with frequent bass and drums solos, short and non- invasive. I'm amazed of the bass in particular. How it works together with the orchestra. The only similar thing I can think to is Caravan and New Symphonia, but this is music written for the orchestra, not just arranged.

I haven't mentioned the guitar, yet. Howad Roberts was a master of jazz guitar and on this album he spaces from the clean jazz sound to Hendrixian acid distortion.

The closer is remarkable. It starts psychedelic, also with a sitar, but the conclusion is totally orchestral.

Is it a masterpiece? for me yes.

A brief tour of psychedelia-tinged jazz-rock, David Axelrod's Song of Innocence is aptly named, because it exudes a naive charm that contrasts with the intriguing experimental agenda of the album. Axelrod's work here parallels Frank Zappa's own proto-fusion work of the era, in the sense that both artists were unafraid to inject a little unpretentious pop into proceedings; the distinction is that whilst Zappa's pop sensibilities tended to focus on the doo-wop of his youth, Axelrod was much more in tune with the lush baroque pop of this era. The end result is a fine pop-progressive release whose short running time can be forgiven for the sheer level of consistency on display.

A good 60's LA Scene record producer with some good New Orleans contacts, Axelrod is best remembered for his production of The Electric Prunes' two proggier albums, including the stunning Mass In F Minor and Release Of An Oath and his Cannonball Adderley collabs. Indeed, the man was not just behind the mixing console, but also wrote some of the music and arranged the pieces he hadn't written. Based on William Blake's Song Of Innocence, this first album is simply an awesome concept instrumental music album, mixing jazz, rock and classical realms with astounding arrangements and impeccable virtuosity. Indeed, most of the players on this album wouldn't ring a bell to most progheads, the best-knowns being Mac Rebbenack (AKA Dr John) and Leon Russell, but the rest of them being obscure studio musicians, some from the New Orleans scene. But let that not distract you, because all of them are awesome, such as Earl Palmer's inventive drumming, Carol Kayes' superb bass playing (she must've been the best female bassist for decades >< she's on Beach Boys' Good Vibrations). The horn and string sections are ever-present, but never overly so, the first hailing from the local jazz scene and the latter from LA's philharmonic orchestra. BTW, this album chronologically precedes TEP's Mass album.

The relatively-short (27-mins) album's music is clearly progressive in many 'prog' facets, including frequent tempo changes and time sigs, constantly changing musical soundscapes (despite remaining samey-sounding via the recurring theme), with brilliant histrionics solos, from the guitar to brass instruments. You'll even get some harpsichord interventions to boot, but it is really the production of the album that is impressive, with plenty of space given to the drums and bass. But what really makes the difference is his ever-so-positive and happy songwriting and the attention to the individual instruments' interventions, much like Mozart would write a score for the triangle in his symphonies. Some may dismiss his music's cinematic qualities as some kind of easy movie score, but in some ways, that's a tremendous compliment, even if not intentional at first. Indeed, it's quite easy to tag on superb filmed images to this ever-so-happy music.

The album came with a very 'psych' artwork and gave a short written description of each track's meaning. Although Axelrod's next 'solo' albums would retain much of the trademarks laid out on Innocence; they would change musical direction, often nearing to crooner stuff, but with the same kind of impeccable arrangements. In some ways, Axelrod is one of my preferred arranger, along with the often-stupendous Gil Evans, and this debut album is at the height of Out Of The Cool or Las Vegas Tango stuff. In some ways, it's a bit of a shame that the Capitol label for which he worked for let him go (he had no royalties paid out to him) and strike it out on his own, because it would never be as exhilarating as his late-60's music. While his later albums may not do much to a proghead's fancy, this debut album should do wonders to his happiness and give him many musical orgasms.

A very unusual album for its fully orchestrated presentation, David Axelrod's funky, jazzy compositions take on a lively fullness that is rarely experienced outside the concert hall or Broadway/West End music hall. Way ahead of its time! And employing a cast of sessions musicians that make up a virtual Who's Who in music history--including a cast of The Wrecking Crew as well as orchestra members who would all go on to become very accomplished and known in the orchestral world.

Line-up / Musicians: - David Axelrod / vocals, composer, arranger - Carol Kaye (THE WRECKING CREW) / bass - Earl Palmer (THE WRECKING CREW) / drums - Gary Coleman (THE WRECKING CREW) / vocals - Don Randi (THE WRECKING CREW) / keyboards, conductor - Howard Roberts (THE WRECKING CREW) / guitars - Al Casey (THE WRECKING CREW) / guitars - Ollie Mitchell (THE WRECKING CREW) / trumpet - Tony Terran (THE WRECKING CREW) / trumpet - Gene Estes (WESTFALL) / percussion, vibraphone

ORCHESTRA STRINGS: Alvin Dinkin [viola], Anne Goodman [cello], Arnold Belnick [violin], Benjamin Barrett ([violin] FRANK ZAPPA; well known for his session work on 1970's funk, soul, and disco releases]), Bobby Bruce [violin], Douglas Davis [cello], Gareth Nuttycombe [violin, viola], Harry Bluestone [violin], Harry Hyams [violin], Harry Roth [violin], Jack Shulman [violin], Leonard Malarsky [violin], Marshall Sosson [violin], Myron Sander [violin, viola], Nathan Ross [violin], Raphael Kramer [cello], Sidney Sharp [violin], Tibor Zelig [violin].

ORCHESTRA HORNS: Allen Di Rienzo [trumpet], Art Maebe [French horn], Freddie Hill [trumpet], Harry Sigismonti [French horn], Lewis McCreary [trombone], Richard Leith [trombone], Vincent DeRosa [horn], Bill Hinshaw [horn].

1. "Urizen" (4:01) an awesomely jazzed-up orchestral funk composition that seems way ahead of its time (but for its similarity to contemporary sound developments both on Broadway and at Motown Records). Melodic and dence- provoking. Nice lead guitar work in the second half of the second minute followed by some stunningly awesome bass and drum work from legendary Wrecking Crew members Carol Kaye and Earl Palmer, respectively. (9.25/10)

2. "Holy Thursday" (5:32) more great orchestra-presented funky jazz musical fare that could've come off of an album coming out of Motown or from Burt Bacharach as likely as a 1970s Black Sexploitation film soundtrack. Is that future Westfall and 1970s soundtrack session drummer Gene Estes on vibraphone? and Howard Roberts shredding on the electric guitar? Great stuff! Carol Kaye is so amazing! (9.5/10)

3. "The Smile" (3:26) sadly, a variation of the previous song with the exact same drumming and orchestration but harpsichord/electric piano and electric guitar given more solo spotlight. Bassist Carol Kaye has some funky chops! And David's orchestral arrangements and Don Randi's orchestra are awesome! (8.875/10)

4. "A Dream" (2:30) bass and harpsichord open this one before gentle support drums and some low end orchestral support appear. At 1:23 the orchestra takes over. Beautiful! The bass and Harpsichord play are rather simple. (8.875/10)

5. "Song of Innocence" (4:33) another great, surprisingly funky orchestral composition blended supremely well between the strings, horns, and the bass and drums. Gene Estes and Carol Kaye provide such an awesome rhythmic foundation and Howard Roberts' Eric Gale-like electric guitar (even volume pedaled) is awesome, but the strings/orchestra steal the show on this one. I also like the addition of Don Randi's supportive organ work. Who knew jazz-rock fusion could/would ever look like this! (10/10)

6. "Merlin's Prophecy" (2:44) this cinematic song feels more like the orchestral rendering of a famous pop radio hit or main theme song from a spy movie: crossing over a little too much into the realm of elevator music. Still, it has great sound, melody, and funk! (8.875/10)

7. "The Mental Traveler" (4:02) starting with a long orchestral opening, Carol Kaye's bass is the first instrument to lead the shift to jazzy-rock funk motif that follows. Electric guitar and the presence of vibes gives this song a slightly different feel though it does end up feeling as if it's all coming from the same funky movie soundtrack. (9/10)

Total time 26:48

It's been such a joy and delight to have discovered this album--one of the surprise/delights of the year! I had no idea how much funk existed before the 1970s! Despite being so short, this is definitely one of my favorite albums from the year 1968.

A-/five stars; a masterpiece of jazz-rock fusion--one of the finest blends of orchestra with jazz-rock musicians that you will ever hear!