Major Arcana 's self-titled release from 1976 which appeared on the
modestly-named A Major Label (A Major Label 1000) followed hot on
the heels of two previous solo eff o rts by the folk/psych legend Jim
S p e n c e r.
This is an album that defies categorisation, featuring as it does a
veritable smorgasbord of musical styles, although the phenomenal
opening track, Western Wind, is rightly regarded as an acid folk/psych
masterpiece. The band, augmented by the presence of Spencer's
p revious collaborator and Bloomsbury People alumnist, keyboard
p l a y e r and flautist Sigmund Snopek III, combine eff o rtlessly to pro d u c e
an album of changing moods, with strong, up-front vocals, neat synth
arrangements and a recurring lounge/multi-instrumental vibe. T h e re 's
even an acidhead arrangement of Henry V I I I 's only known chart
success, Gre e n s l e e v e s .
One critic described the album thus: "West coast psychedelic gem, with
nice folky tunes, dreamy stoned vibe and some killer acid guitar
outbursts. Really great psych music you can easily imagine from the
awesome cover a rt!".
Another overlooked album that comes highly recommended Track listing: 1) Western Wind
2) Dark Trip to Edge City
3) Shake Me
4) Steal Your Love Back Home
5) Deanna Durbin Blues
6) Down Under Blues
7) Papa Doc
8) Back in the Spirit
9) Fran's Blues
10) Greensleeves
