Inner Marshland By The Bevis Frond

So, you're a big fan of Jimi Hendrix, (gasp) Cream, and all things late-'60s/heavy-guitar/acid rock? Are you tired of combing the flea markets for used LPs, hoping that the Guatemalan printing of some "lost" Hendrix album will actually contain a song or two you haven't heard that are actually worth a listen?

Here's a better idea: Go to the Rubric Records website, and order INNER MARSHLAND (1987) by The Bevis Frond for $10. Trust me. It's worth it.

[Note: The cover pictured here is from the earlier Reckless Records version. Thus, yours will not have the "R" and hand in the upper left corner, or the "Over 70 Minutes Of Music" across the bottom (though you will certainly have over 70 minutes of music!), and it will be a different color-scheme.]

For those who don't know, The Bevis Frond is the brainchild of a gentleman named Nick Saloman. As a matter of fact, he wrote the songs, sang the songs, and played nearly all the instruments. Here's the original album:

1. Cries from the Inner Marshland - 1:50
2. Termination Station Grey - 5:11
3. Window Eye - 5:50
4. Once More - 7:26 [Poem by Dave Haar, Guitar by Bari Watts]
5. Defoliation Part One - 1:42
6. Reflections in a Tall Mirror - 4:42
7. Hey Mr Undecided - 1:33
8. I've Got Eyes in the Back of My Head - 4:50
9. Minsmere Sphagnum - 0:58 [Piano by Graham Cumming]
10. Medieval Sienese Acid Blues - 5:13
11. Defoliation Part Two - 5:36 [Acoustic Guitar by Mick Wills]

Songs # 2 & # 8 are of particularly high quality. Song # 10 is even better. But, the jewel of all jewels is Song # 4, "Once More". For those who are not aware, Bari Watts is the second-coming of Jimi Hendrix. Nick Saloman (aka "Bevis Frond") is great. I'm certainly not trying to short-change his guitar work in the least. But, Bari Watts is beyond human. The guitar solo (I've seen his solos described as "freak-outs", which is probably a much better description) Bari Watts plays on "Once More" is a STRONG contender for the most amazingly, blisteringly, mind-blowingly, ball-bashingly, incredible guitar solo in recorded history! And, I swear to you, I'm NOT exaggerating. You won't f-cking believe it. When the song hits the 4-minute mark, strap in. His guitar takes you through the last 3:30 of the song...UNBELIEVABLE. It's indescribable. To quote the Drill Sgt in Full Metal Jacket, "Jesus H. Christ! I think you've got a hard on!"

The bonus cuts are outtakes from the recording sessions:

12. Walking In The Lady's Garden
13. Slave
14. Run At The Sun
15. Parasynquiry
16. The Great Mistake
17. Solid Vimto


Why they didn't make the original album is hard to explain, although Nick Saloman writes about it in the CD booklet a bit. I'd say there was no good reason, other than not wanting to make it a double-LP, perhaps. These extra songs are really, really good. Classic Bevis Frond.

Do yourself a favor: BUY THIS CD!!!!!!!!!