Valhalla - Valhalla mp3 album

An interesting late 60's album from one of many bands who put out just one obscure effort, then were forgotten about at the time upon it's release.The self titled 1969 album from Valhalla is one of those records that most certainly need time to sort of grow on you, but at the same time is also one of those records that continues to command your attention for repeated listens. With that said, if you are looking for a consistent classic effort, you may want to look elsewhere because this by no means is a great record. However, if you are looking for an obscure psych LP to add to your record collection, do be advised that if you are going to seek this out, either pick up a reissue, or if you do come across an original pressing, just make sure you can find one inexpensively.My final analysis:Recommended for record collectors & psych lovers of the obscure, but definitely avoid paying too much for this record. It most certainly is not worth all of the collector hype, unless you are completest. This record is most certainly not recommended to the casual psych listener. For those wanting to expand their psych horizons, look elsewhere.........

The transitional and pervasive atmosphere of 1969 is written all over this album. It flits back and forth between heavy early Prog, psychedelic rock, US garage rock and flower power pop (I cannot fathom where the fusion comments come from because I can hear nothing remotely like that here) . At times it sounds overtly commercial whilst at others it is definitely within the realms of the sub culture. Anyone wanting Hi-Fi sound will be disappointed because the audio quality and mix of the recording is pretty ropey. The actual performance also, at times, sounds under rehearsed as if they did most of the tracks in one take. Don't, however, let that put the potential buyer off because this has genuinely superb moments. The singer, whilst not strictly always on-key has a lovely tonal quality. The band are all very competent, with a great rhythmical bass player and very good organist. The latter uses the Hammond with Leslie and, whilst he doesn't have many long solos, always paints the numbers with a great sound. The guitarist, who often uses a fuzz-tone which was very typical of the era, is also very able.As far as influences and comparisons, no one artist is evoked specifically but I hear elements of The Doors, The Turtles, Love and with some of the organ work, Procol Harum. They all are only slight impressions because this band had their own sound and possessed real talent and I'm not overstating things when I say this is a bona fide lost gem from the sixties. They possessed a real talent for melody and some of the more commercial sounding numbers here could, with the right promotion, conceivably have been successful hit singles. The arrangements, often with strings and/or brass, are right up there with the very best from the period.In summation, a very strong album that will, no doubt, get many repeat listens. It's also pretty generous in terms of it's length; forty eight (plus) minutes for 1969 represents superb value.