Quatrain

Quatrain CD

compact disc | $5.99

View my Wishlist

Mention the sole and frighteningly rare 1968 LP by LA’s Quatrain among devoted psych collectors and the response will likely be a unison chorus of solemnly nodding heads. Slip a copy of this lost, heavy monster on the turntable, however, and those same heads will bang hard in wah-wah-smeared, acid-rock ecstasy.

From ’65 to ’69 Quatrain was a regular attraction on the Southern California scene, working as the house band at the popular Topanga Corral and up and down the Sunset Strip.

“We played places like the Hullabaloo, the Stratford,” recalls Quatrain drummer Jim Lekas. “We shared bills with The Byrds, Love, the Buffalo Springfield, went up against Spirit in a battle of the bands. We used to play with The Leaves all the time—[Leaves bassist and singer] Jim Pons and I even dated the same girl back then. It was just an incredible period, so much great music going on. And we were right there in the middle of it.”

Produced and engineered by future Neil Young producer David Briggs, Quatrain burns with stinging fuzz-guitar leads (“Fragments,” “Ask Me No Questions,” the cryptic “Flowing Robes”) and floats and flickers like orange sunshine (“Rollin,” “The Tree”).

TRACK LISTING AND AUDIO SAMPLES:
1. Fragments
2. Unconquered Islands
3. Flowing Robes
4. Fields of Love
5. Canyon Women
6. Rollin
7. Black Lily
8. Early Morning Company
9. Ask Me No Questions
10. Try To Live Again
11. Masquerade
12. The Tree
13. Towering Buildings*
14. So Much For Royalty*
15. Unforeseen Regrets*
16. When Will You Happen to Me*
17. Let You Go*
18. Sun Came Up*
19. Get A Life*
20. Ghosts Over the Sunset Strip*

Rev up the MP3 players! This entire album is available to download from your favorite digital retailer by clicking the buttons below.