Browse by Artist: FOREST

Artist:	FOREST
Title:	Forest
Label:	PHOENIX RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$17.00
Catalog #:	ASH 3011CD

The classic debut album by the UK's Forest, originally released in 1969 by Harvest. As the 1960s progressed, almost every musical genre was affected by the psychedelic boom -- and folk was no exception. Artists such as Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and Donovan had introduced elements of world music into their repertoires by 1965, and in 1966, The Incredible String Band's debut kicked the door wide open for a generation of young musicians to follow. Forest, whose two Harvest albums have long elated listeners and eluded collectors, featured prominently among them, and have become synonymous with so-called "acid folk," inspiring -- alongside Vashti Bunyan, COB and a handful of others -- the current wave of successful underground folk acts. Originally called The Foresters Of Walesby, the band abbreviated their name to Forest and were fortunate enough to meet John Peel at a local gig and he encouraged them to play in London. After a triumphant performance in Notting Hill's All Saints Hall in 1968, Forest were offered a management deal with Blackhill Enterprises, home to amongst others, Pink Floyd and Roy Harper. It wasn't long before offers of record contracts came their way and the band eventually signed to EMI's nascent Harvest label. Their debut album was recorded at Abbey Road early in 1969 and featured completely original material, with their strangely-sculptured melodies and partially improvised accompaniment. The playing is often inspired and the album's recording quality excellent. An essential folk classic and highly recommended. Housed in a numbered, limited edition of 1000 copies in a unique card wallet.

Artist:	FOREST
Title:	Forest
Label:	RADIOACTIVE RECORDS (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$16.00
Catalog #:	RR 058CD

New, official reissue (previous version on BGO is long gone). Like their COB reissue, this is a stepped up quality remaster from Radioactive. Originally issued by Harvest in 1969, this is one of the definite debut folk albums of all time. "As the 1960s progressed, almost every musical genre was affected by the psychedelic boom -- and folk was no exception. Artists such as Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and Donovan had introduced elements of world music into their repertoires by 1965, and in 1966 the Incredible String Band's debut kicked the door wide open for a generation of young musicians to follow. Forest, whose two Harvest albums have long elated listeners and eluded collectors, featured prominently among them, and have become synonymous with so-called 'acid folk', inspiring -- alongside Vashti Bunyan, COB and a handful of others -- the current wave of successful underground folk acts. Originally called The Foresters Of Walesby the band abbreviated their name to Forest and were fortunate enough to meet John Peel at a local gig and he encouraged them to play in London. After a triumphant gig in Notting Hill's All Saints Hall at Christmastime 1968, Forest were offered a management deal with Blackhill Enterprises, home to amongst others, Pink Floyd and Roy Harper. It wasn't long before offers of record contracts came their way and the band eventually signed to EMI's nascent Harvest label. This, their debut album was recorded at Abbey Road early in 1969 and featured completely original material, with their strangely-sculptured melodies and partially improvised accompaniment. The playing is often inspired and the album's recording quality excellent. Mastered at Abbey Road by NickWebb from the original analogue tapes. Featuring full participation from founding band member Martin Welham."

Artist:	FOREST
Title:	Forest
Label:	TIMELESS RECORDS (LUXEMBOURG)
Format:	LP
Price:	$28.00
Catalog #:	TIME 696LP

New grey-area LP reissue label, based in Luxembourg. All LPs say they are editions of 500, which I suppose you could believe if you wanted to... Gatefold sleeve on this first Forest LP, originally released on Harvest in 1969. "A really nice album of trippy rock tracks with lots of nice folksy touches! These songs are filled with so much imagination, color, charm, and melancholy solitude that they just transport you to a place between worlds! Deep into a forest between consciousness and vivid dreamscape -- that's where this will take you. The group's a trio, all of whom sing lead vocals from time to time, and instrumentation includes organ, harmonium, piano, percussion, guitars, electric harpsichord, mandolin, and cello: all swirling around in a style that's got traces of late work by Tim Hardin, Love, Nico, and early Roy Wood. Titles include 'Bad Penny,' 'Fading Light,' 'A Fantasy You,' 'While You're Gone,' 'Do You Want Some Smoke,' and 'Rain Is On My Balcony.' Excellent!"

Artist:	FOREST
Title:	Full Circle
Label:	TIMELESS RECORDS (LUXEMBOURG)
Format:	LP
Price:	$28.00
Catalog #:	TIME 709LP

Gatefold sleeve reissue of this 2nd and last Forest LP, originally released on Harvest in 1970."This album has both brutal and beautiful elements, and the raw acoustic tunes create weird and very enchanting music. There are much medieval influences here, but the overall aesthetics are not luckily very idealized or fantasy related, but sincere and realistic, filled with mystery, misery and violence. Music is peaceful but partly disturbing too. 'Bluebell' was quite good track, and the last song 'Autumn Childhood' is very weird with strange rhythm changes and several parts. 'The Midnight Hanging of A Runaway Serf' was also quite affecting in it's brutality and realism. 'Graveyard' is also very beautiful and quite accessible song, but maybe best of them all is 'Gypsy Girl & Rambleway,' describing a love affair with very raw medieval sounds. Highly recommended!"

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