Now Sounds, the associated label of Cherry Red Records, is releasing a long over due CD reissue of the lone 1968 self titled LP by Greg Dempsey and Kathy Yesse, known simply as Daughters of Albion. Leon Russell produced and arranged this album, which are full of songs that are each more different than the next one you hear.

The connection of Leon Russell, Greg Dempsey, and Kathy Yesse, later known as Kathy Dalton, doesn’t start in 1968 with the release of this album. Leon and Greg were buddies from previous years back in Oklahoma prior to migrating west to Los Angeles. Once Greg arrived in Los Angeles, he teamed up with Kathy Yesse to form The Gas Co. and release their first Jack Nitche produced single for the Mirwood label in 1965 called “Your time’s up”/“Blow your Mind”. Jack Nitche went on to produce two more singles on the Reprise label in 1966 and 1967, for the now newly named Gas Company. Four singles in all were released by Greg and Kathy between 1965-67.

It was a transitional stage for Leon Russell in the fall of 1967. He previously recorded music in Texas, but made a name for himself as a top notch session musician in Los Angeles. He, Marc Benno, and Jerry Riopelle of The Parade, released the one off single “Land of Oz”/ I’ll be thinking of you" under the name Le Cirque,on the Buddah Label. Between working with the likes of Harper’s Bizarre, Gary Lewis, and Gene Clark, he and Marc Benno recorded and released the well diverse LP Look inside the Asylum Choir in 1968.

What Leon Russell was doing with the Asylum Choir, carried well into the production of his next project with his old friend Greg Dempsey. The Daughter of Albion LP sparkles with pop orchestrations, rocking grooves, over the top instrumentation, and well crafted male/female harmony blends. “John Flip Lockup”, easily could have been 4 separate songs on the album, but instead is made up into a well cut up, and quite humorous medley to close out the album. With additional songs that take aim towards hippie angst, realizations of life, both tragic and heartfelt, along with slow ballads of candle holding & celebrations of love between two people. There really isn’t a bad song on this album, and the production and incorporation of several types of music and sounds (including farting) really makes this album a highlight of 1968. But of course like many great albums, Daughters of Albion fell into obscurity, and never rose to it’s recorded potential as far as sales go.

Years later, it has resurfaced into many record collectors collections, including mine. This is an album I can put on anytime, and first time listener’s ears raise like a dogs does when it hears something striking. Thanks to Now Sounds, they are reissuing this album for it’s first legitimate release on compact disc, mastered from the original master tapes. Also included is the original mono mix from their only 7" release “Well Wired”/“Story of Sad”, a 16 page booklet with rare photos, and liner notes from original band members involved. They are already taking pre-orders, and it will be available OCTOBER 29, 2012. This release is well beyond a stocking stuffer for the Christmas season. It should be listened to through Halloween and Thanksgiving as well.

Sir Psych

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