WIDE OPEN N-WAY

Another excellent band coming from Denmark DAY OF PHOENIX formed in 1968 before getting into the recording studio in June of 1970 and releasing the album the same year with the awkward title "Wide Open N-Way". A five piece with a vocalist, two guitarists, bass and drums. Forgive them for sounding so 60's but they were sort of caught in the middle. One of the guitarists plays lead while the other who is the main composer plays 6 and 12 string guitars. We get three guests all on the one track "Mind Funeral" how's that for a title! Including future SECRET OYSTER keyboardist Kenneth Knudsen and the bass man for the great CORONARIAS DANS Peter Friis.

And while were name dropping this was produced by Tony Reeves of COLOSSEUM, GREENSLADE, JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS and others. Tony also produced BURNIN RED IVANHOE's album that was also released in 1970 in Denmark. What I liked about this album right away was how adventerous it is and having three of the five tracks between 11 1/2 minutes and 14 minutes certainly gives you room to experiment. The short "If You Ask Me" is the most intense track with almost protest-like vocals and dirty sound. The album closes with the 70 second "Tick-Tack" with acoustic guitar and vocals standing out.

But it's those three long tracks that we all came to hear starting with the title track to open the record at 11 1/2 minutes. It opens with a nice little groove with bass and drums as the guitar comes in over top. Vocals join in and the chorus is more passionate each time. It turns experimental after 3 minutes in various ways as it plays out until it's almost silent at 6 1/2 minutes. Then it starts to rebuild including dual guitars at 7 minutes then back to our regular programming with vocals and all after 10 minutes.

"Cellophane 1&2" is over 13 1/2 minutes and begins in such a warm folky manner. That changes as the vocals and everything else get amped up and the guitar becomes prominent. Love that guitar 10 1/2 minutes in and the bass that follows. Vocals are back late to end it. Lastly "Mind Funeral" with the guests might be the best track on here. Acoustic guitar, oboe, vocals and more as it picks up with drums and electric guitar. The tempo continues to change as contrasts continue. It's a little insane 11 minutes in as the guitar starts to light it up.

Not in the same class for me as SECRET OYSTER and CORONARIAS DANS but those are more in the Jazz department while this is psychedelia for the most part.