ALL WE NEED IS POP

After almost 30 years, there's finally a definitive document of one of the first San Francisco psychedelic groups -- or, at least, as definitive a document as surviving tapes allow. This compilation assembles 23 tracks from their demos for the Kama Sutra and Autumn labels, as well as a couple of later sessions recorded at San Francisco area studios. Much of this material has been bootlegged previously, on both vinyl and tape, but here it appears in its best fidelity to date by far.

Those expecting psychedelic fireworks will be surprised. There's some acid-soaked folk-rock here (most notably "We're Not on the Same Trip" and "I Saw Her," the two best cuts), but on the whole, it's much more of a travelog of roots music, with white blues, jug band, folk, country, and music hall influences much more to the fore. Sure, the Charlatans never really got the opportunity to flex their muscles in the studio, but it's also true that they didn't possess either the songwriting or instrumental chops to rival the Jefferson Airplane or Moby Grape.

If you gear your expectations to the appropriate level, there's plenty of good-time mid- to late-'60s Bay Area rock to savor here. Big Beat's meticulous packaging and programming also ensures that an important chapter in psychedelic/San Francisco music has been properly presented for the first time.(allmusic)

The Charlatans were one of the San Francisco bands in the times of Haight Ashbury and the commercial emergence of the hippie movement in the mid-sixties. San Francisco was also the place where the Charlatans found their greatest recognition. Mostly of course at their gigs. They never found the commercial success with their records that made other SF bands famous worldwide. Nevertheless, they recorded a number of great songs.
Big Beat brings together a series of demos in really outstanding quality and presents the band here in an impressive way. Big Beat has also included a first-class booklet.
Have fun and enjoy

                                Frank

                              The Charlatans (US) - The Amazing Charlatans (1996 Big Beat) 

                                         Flac part1  &  Flac part2        -  mp3@320