Tropic of Capricorn – Chris Parfitt and the Hi-Revving Tongues - album now available digitally ( remastered from original tape ) Credited with having made the first psychedelic 45 single in New Zealand, Chris Parfitt and the Hi-Revving Tongues the following year, 1968, signed to Zodiac records and released their debut LP “Tropic of Capricorn”. Sporting its intentions with the front cover photo being shot at The Auckland Wintergardens, the band is shown amongst the lush plantlife wearing a mindbending myriad combination of paisley, colours, cravats, Carnaby and tunics. The album kicks off in full psychedelic pop glory with “Elevator”, making great use of tape phasing, sure to have had youngsters and hipsters of the era exclaiming “FAR OUT !” on more than one ocassion. Said John Walmsley ( bass ) at the time, “A clean fresh sound was our ambition in this album and I think it was accomplished. We tried to project our musical character giving a taste of the qualities of our style”. With nine album tracks as Tongues versions done as tributes to the then new era of groups in England led by Procul Harem, Plastic Penny and Grapefruit, the rest of the tracks are originals, including the single “Tropic Of Capricorn” which had already had success at a national level. “Tropic of Capricorn” was charismatic lead singer Chris Parfitts first attempt at writing a song ! Written in a 2 hour period one afternoon before a gig, he managed to use all 5 guitar chords he knew at that time. Splendid and most effective ! Check out these groovy delights at amplifier.co.nz, Spotify or iTunes https://itunes.apple/nz/album/tropic-of-capricorn/id670809333?uo=4 or Amplifier amplifier.co.nz/release/100379/tropic-of-capricorn.html
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 23:25:54 +0000