Though
recorded quickly over two days — and indeed, literally recorded live in
the studio with no overdubs — Synanthesia's sole album from 1969 is a
gentle treat for anyone interested in the obscurer realms of late-'60s
U.K. folk and its descendants. It's always a pleasure to hear something
that did not deservedly go out of print — and therefore get an
unnecessary reputation. Instead, the combination of bandleader Dennis
Homes' gentle vocals and delicate guitar work, Leslie Cook's equally
strong talents, and the ace-in-the-hole performing of sax and flute
player Jim Fraser is often quite magical. That the band openly has a
debt to the Incredible String Band and Bert Jansch practically goes
without saying, but there's a difference
... Read more »