Notes

---

Size: 102 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Chillum was born from the ashes of the progressive-psychedelic band Second Hand. They released only one lp, on Mushroom Records, in 1971. The band was led by vocalist/keyboardist Ken Elliott and drummer Kieran O'Connor, who had recorded 2 albums "Reality" and "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" as Secondhand in the late 1960s.

Guitarist Toy McGill joined Chillum for its lone album, and his playing shines throughout, blending nicely with the band's extended-jam style. In fact, "Brain Strain" was recorded during McGill's audition with the band, as producer Vic Keary had the tape machines running. Bassist George Hart rounded out the band's lineup and along with O'Connor formed a solid rock rhythm section.

This band has a slightly convoluted history. Keyboardist and vocalist Ken Elliott and drummer Kieran O'Connor were originally in the insanely creative Second Hand, a group that definitely remained psychedelic while also predicting prog rock. After two superb albums (REALITY and DEATH MAY BE YOUR SANTA CLAUS), Second Hand had lost their guitarist. Bassist George Hart, who joined on DEATH MAY BE YOUR SANTA CLAUS, still was in the group, so they auditioned new guitarists. Tony McGill clicked perfectly with the band, so perfectly that his audition evolved into an incredible twenty-plus minute piece of improvised rock, and apparently forced a renaming from Second Hand to Chillum. Coming close to some of the most out-there krautrock jams (Guru Guru and Amon Duul II come to mind), Elliott's pummelling organ and Hart's fluid bass combine with O'COnnor's fierce percussives and McGill's incredibly detailed improvisations. Given the name "Brain Strain" this originally occupied side one of the original CHILLUM LP; on CHILLUM PLUS, which contains the entire sessions, it is in an extended form. The first track on ...PLUS is a miniature bit of laughing contributed by two doctors who frequented the pub next door to the studio; only those present know if the laughter was their genuine response or a skit. Chillum continue on their weird path, at times using O'Connor's snoring as a percussion line (on "Land Of A Thousand Dreams") or giving him four minutes to show off his drumming chops ("Too Many Bananas"). "Yes! We Have No Pajamas" is another extended improv, firing off with no mercy until its ten and a half minutes have come to a stop. Suddenly, "Promenade Des Anglais" pops up, and you wonder if someone's recorded the wrong track. This little number sounds disturbingly somehwere between smooth jazz and muzak, but it is followed by a goofy voice saying "'ere, I thought that was RATHER GOOD! Oh super! What's next?". This nicely gives away the joke, and makes for an impressive end to the original album.

01. Introduction By Brain Surgeons From The Royal Free Hospital
02. Brain Strain
03. Land of A Thousand Dreams
04. Too Many Bananas
05. Promenade Des Anglaises
06. The Lone Commuter
07. Three Blind Mice
08. Celebration
09.The Is Not Romance