Group Therapy - 37 minutes of Group Therapy LP 1969

Philips PHS 600-303

US 1969

levy Ex

kannet Ex- unipak

psychedelic rock obscure

This New York-based psychedelic blues rock quintet featured Ray Kennedy (vocals), Art Del Gudico (guitar), Jerry Guida (organ), Tommy Burns (drums) and Michael Lamont (drums). The band’s debut album largely comprised of contemporary hits, notably ‘Hey Joe’, ‘Morning Dew’ and ‘Come See About Me’. An unknown quantity when they supported Moby Grape on a brief UK tour in 1968, Group Therapy impressed audiences with their exciting, soul-based stage act. The album, retitled You’re In Need Of...Group Therapy was belatedly issued in the wake of this interest, but although their version of ‘River Deep - Mountain High’ garnered interest when issued as a single, the set failed to emulate its corresponding in-concert intensity. The band split up without achieving their potential, although Kennedy later secured success as a singer and songwriter.

Really fun psych/garagey record with fuzz and organs. Not the best recording in the world, but that certainly adds to the charm. Picked up a NM copy for $20 and I'm very happy with the purchase. Will be spinning this one a good bit!

The second Group Therapy album, 1969's "37 Minutes of Group Therapy" tends to get better reviews than the debut. I'll be honest and tell you I don't find it any more attractive or enjoyable than "Group Therapy". The line-up remained unchanged - Tommy Burns and Ray Kennedy on lead vocals, Art del Gudico on guitar, keyboardist Jerry Guida and drummer Michael Lamont. Co-produced by Lou Rizner and Mike Gruber, this time out the band ditched the popular covers in favor of a largely original set of material. Working in different combinations, all five members contributed to the songwriting chores. Burns and Kennedy both had decent voices though they didn't blend together very well (check out their one upsmenship on the cover of 'River Deep, Mountain High'). The rest of the band were competent players - Guida was a strong Hammond B3 player, occasionally handling bass with the instrument (a la Ray Manzarek) while Lamont was one of the loudest drummers I've ever heard. Unfortunately they were a little weak in the songwriting department. At their best, more commercial tunes like 'Can't Stop Lovin' You Baby' and 'I Must Go' saw them sounding a bit like second tier Young Rascals. More often their driving bombastic delivery recalled Vanilla Fudge, Adding to the problem was the production. At least my copy of the album sounded muddy and distant; made worse by the thick, cluttered instrumentation. This was a good example of a situation where less would have been more. Extra star for featuring original tunes.

Distributed in the UK by Philips, for some reason the LP was re-titled "You're In Need of Group Therapy" (Philips catalog number SBL7888). Same songs, track sequence and the cover art was the same - why just change the title?

rare