Jeremy Dormouse "Toad" (Canadian Folk 1968)

Obscure folk LP with a transition sound from 60s coffee house into 70s downer/loner moves. Lost in time atmosphere and idiosynchratic singing and playing makes for a trip with a clear identity, yet the connection between the arrangements, vocal mannerisms and underlying tunes seems random and "for the hell of it", rather than conscious explorations. Some tracks work, others don't, and all over it's pretty inconsistent. Covers of Dylan, Cohen and Bo Diddley (!) come off more like insults than bold interpretations, while the Lynda Squires led take on "High Flying Bird" is pretty cool. Of the originals most is average contemporary folk, with a high-point in the only track not by "Dormouse" (Cris Cuddy) or Marcus Wattington, Don Tapscott's sublime "Just To Hear The Bells". The album is semi-acoustic with electric bass and occasional percussion. Oddly, the LP has a similar sound (minus the autoharp) and the precise same problems as the Folklords. The album was recorded in 1967, and precedes the Rejects LP sessions. The Hallucinations CD is titled 'The Toad Recordings' and shows traces of vinyl press noise and high-end distortion in a few spots.
01. Baby Blue (Bob Dylan)02. Young Face (Waddington)03. High Flying Bird (Wheeler)04. Portrait For Marianne (Cuddy)05. Just To Hear The Bells (Tapscott)06. Sometimes You Ain't Got Nothin Boy (Waddington)07. By The Way (Cuddy)08. I Need A Friend (Allen)09. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen)10. Believe Me (Waddington)11. October Morning (Cuddy)12. Small Man (Waddington)13. Who Do You Love (McDaniel)14. Apple Annie (Cuddy)

Jeremy_Dormouse_-_1974_Toad__Ultra_Rare_Folk_Psych_.rar