Guns & Butter - S/T 1972 LP prog

Cotillion SD -9901

US 1972

levy Ex

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Boston based Guns & Butter may be the best example, from the early 70s United States scene that is, of the UK progressive rock movement as headed by the Dawn, Neon and Transatlantic labels. Even the vocals have a certain English affected smoothness to them. The lead instruments are primarily guitar, violin and saxophone (with some additional flute), and the compositions are very complex yet compact. There's a distinct psychedelic aura around this, and it sounds more like a 1969/70 release than anything from 1972. I'm most reminded of the first two East of Eden albums, though I also hear bands like Diabolus and Raw Material creeping in. Side 1 is magnificent, while Side 2 is merely great (though it features the best song on the album 'Lady Grey').

A fascinating early American attempt at progressive rock. Obviously highly influenced by Jethro Tull, Boston’s Guns & Butter utilize flute and violin in an electrified folk-rock context, building on a base of American folk song to arrive at a progressive sound that is uniquely American, as opposed to the faux-Anglo drivel that makes up most of the Ameri-prog stuff. A highly promising debut, a pity they never followed up on it.