Middle Earth - The Soundtrack Of London's Legendary Psychedelic Club 1967-1969

For a brief span in the late 60s, a club called Middle Earth was an epicentral point for Londons hippie subculture and the psychedelic bands of the day. The short-lived nightlife spot hosted the bands of the various players that very soon after formed Led Zeppelin, as well as Pink Floyd, Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Who, Captain Beefheart, and many, many others. Middle Earth operated in the absolute peak of 60s flower power, and this compilation release, Middle Earth: The Soundtrack of Londons Legendary Psychedelic Club 1967-1969, goes deep into assembling a representation of the various acts that cruised through the club while its doors were open. Excitingly, this 64-track collection includes more obscure bands than it does the usual big names associated with late-60s psychedelic rock. Although there are some great tracks from more easily recognizable artists like the Who, Yes, Jefferson Airplane, and Traffic, its the more unpolished gems that are the most enthralling. This includes rare wonders like the psychedelic sentimentality of "Images of You and Me" by Mabel Greers Toyshop, the garage blues rave-up "Forget It!" by Killing Floor, and the ominous modpop stomp of "Am I Glad to See You" by the In Crowd. Other standouts include an exception lively tune from Fairport Convention with the Emitt Rhodes-penned folk-rocker "Time Will Show the Wiser" from their 1968 debut album and a novel cover of the Velvet Undergrounds "Im Waiting for My Man" by the Riot Squad, featuring none other than David Bowie on lead vocals doing his best Lou Reed impression -- up until that point at least. The entire collection runs for more than three hours and offers a gently acid-burned portrait of the swinging scenes and heady trips that must have taken place nightly in Middle Earth. The music perfectly captures a particular mood of excitement and lawless possibility as it could have only fleetingly existed in the late 60s, narrowing that feeling down even further to this specific London club and the legendary times it facilitated. ~ Fred Thomas