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"RE-INVENTIONS" Reviews From Amazon.com Sandy Bull's 1965 LP Inventions remains one of those legendary albums that almost no one has heard. Its impact, however, can be seen in the title of this new compilation spotlighting a great unsung hero of "psychedelic folk." "Blend," the 22-minute opus from 1963 that opens this disc, surely fits that designation, perfectly blending folk, jazz, and Indian influences into what Bull called a "new guitar raga." An eclectic virtuoso who switched from acoustic guitar to banjo to Stratocaster to oud (mostly backed solely by jazz drummer/Ornette Coleman crony Billy Higgins), Bull was all over the musical map. Thus the beautiful, soothing bossa nova of "Manha de Carnival" gives way to German classical music, which is supplanted by a cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis." The cream of Bull's first three albums can be found here. When those old records were in stores, it's a good bet Leo Kottke, Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, George Harrison, and Jerry Garcia were taking notes. --Bill Holdship
Customer Comments-- A music fan from some backwater in the mountains of Utah , April 13, 1999: Acoustic bliss Every song on this CD is very diferent from the other but there is not a bad or boring one among them. There is something very unusual about the way Sandy Bull plays every instrument he picks up. I've never heard of this guy even though he's been around forever. Some of the recordings date back to the 60's but they don't sound dated at all. Re-Inventions would be right at the top of my list of desert island disks. Definitely worth the wait. Thank you Vanguard and Amazon! A search on Sandy Bull produced this great cd, each cut an old friend that resonates and renews. Incredible to hear Memphis again after 30+ years, amazed to anticipate each phrase and note. No disappointments here -- Sandy Bull's music making has stood the test of time and then some.
OH MY GOD! HE LIVES! Tears in my eyes is how I can best describe finding this album -- I was just about to pay just over 50 dollars for his vinyl with Blend and Little Maggie and Carmina Burana on it --and thought I ought to check one last time before I pushed the 'buy' button -- and here it was! And I didn't even need to worry about finding a turn table! Carmina Burana is, well, beyond words, and Little Maggie is one of those tunes I have been trying to play on the banjo for the past 20 years -- sets my foot tapping and makes my insides turn to Jell-O -- and makes me feel all crazy inside. Can't think of ANY tune that tops this. The wonder is that this album EVER went out of print! As an understatement all I can say is: He sure is a pretty amazing and talented musician. long live the bull i almost peed myself when i found this album was recollected. i thought Sandy had bought the farm but bless the soul that has put this CD together! The Bull is an artist's artist. What can you say about a guy who plays Carmina Burana on the BANJO! and then slips into a Chuck Berry smoker on the electric guitar?? You gotta admire a guy who can jam with himself. Buy it. |