LADY GREENGRASS / LOVE OF MINE (THE ONES: PRE-TANGERINE DREAM)

A moment ago I was very surprised to find out the origins of this song that I heard yesterday in a recent, awarded Italian film Nostalgia, directed by Mario Martone, based on a 2016 novel by Ermanno Rea. What a nice surprise! I didn't spot the song credits at the end of the film, I was too busy spotting the proper Tangerine Dream pieces. I would have never guessed the song was NOT by some American or British psychedelic rock band of the late 60's, in the vein of QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE. With the help of the trailer and lyrics googling, I discoverd it was recorded by the German beat group called THE ONES, fronted by Edgar Froese before he founded TANGERINE DREAM. Of the list of musicians on this single, Froese is the only one I know.

'Lady Greengrass' is an excellent slice of the Psychedelic Rock movement circa 1966-67. The playing and production are of good quality, and for a debut recording from 1966, that's really something to appreciate. As Easy Livin points out in his review, a good comparison is the Syd Barrett era PINK FLOYD, songs such as 'See Emily Play'. I like the vocals very much, and the drumming is great. The song's mood is charmingly hippie-ish and dreamy. [ 4/5 ]

The B side song 'Love of Mine' is less interesting to me. This song is angrier and bluesier than 'Lady Greengrass', and I'm not fond of the organ and the sharp horn-like sound. The raw energy is reminiscent of the early THE WHO. [ 2½ /5 ]