Mushroom - A Collector's Guide

by Dave Weller, last updated 18^th February 2008

A small record shop in Hastings, a seaside resort on England's south coast, is an unlikely a place as any to stumble across a numbered limited edition LP issued on an obscure US label. With psychedelic artwork by David Huckins stuck to a thick card sleeve, a photo of the band performing with Daevid Allen of Gong, and a sticker quoting Allen as saying "I like Mushroom because it is unpredictable, incurable, indefinable & out to luncheon", the record had to be worth the £12 price tag to hear what this band, Mushroom, sounded like.

The album, "The Leni Riefenstahl LP", captivated me, but trying to describe the Mushroom sound is a dangerous game. The most common approach is to define them in terms of their musical influences - Krautrock, "Bitches Brew"-era Mile Davies jazz, etc. Ironically though, the band had never really heard much Krautrock until they were told they had been influenced by it.

As a style, Mushroom is a kind of instrumental psychedelic space jazz rock. Their music varies greatly from album to album, from gig to gig, and song to song, reflecting the strongly improvisational approach to their playing, yet there are some common elements and themes. Strong rhythmic backdrops of bass and drums provide a repetitive, gradually changing almost dub-like frame within which an interplay of guitar, flute, and trumpet vie for the listener's attention. Analog keyboards and synths add a further dimension and the more recent releases have seen an increasing use of samples, electronic effects, and re-mixes.

The sonic qualities of Mushroom's music also helps define them - re-mixes notwithstanding, the recordings have a very direct and warm feeling, one that is ideally suited to vinyl, which maybe why there are so many Mushroom releases on this format. This is a consequence of their approach to recording, which is based on recording live jamming and improvisation in the studio, resulting in a large amount of material for subsequent editing but not endless over dubbing and studio trickery.

The music also mirrors the nature of the band. Drummer Patrick O'Hearn formed Mushroom in 1996 and continues to lead them today, bringing in an ever changing cast of San Francisco Bay Area musicians.

At the core of the Mushroom discography is a relatively small number of recording sessions. Different songs from these sessions have then been released on a series of small independent labels in roughly chronological order, often in limited editions, with variations in packaging and coloured vinyls, and with different mixes appearing on LP and CD. Today the main record labels are Clearspot in Europe and Innerspace in the US, but the relationship with these companies is such that Mushroom releases can still appear on other labels. For the collector the very first Mushroom LP, actually a 12" single released on Belmondo Discs, is perhaps the hardest item to find - especially the clear vinyl version which was limited to 125 copies. The "Hydrogen Jukebox" CDs are also hard to come by though the version with red and silver sleeve seems easier to find than the others.

In the following discography I have grouped the various releases by the sessions in which the songs were recorded. For each session I have then listed the musicians and, where appropriate, the tracks they performed on. This is followed by the recordings that have been released from the session in chronological order. For each recording I have provided details of the format, country where issued, date of issue, record label, and catalogue number. If there are any variations in packaging, limited editions, etc. these details are also noted. Finally, for each recording there is a track listing.

Discography

1. Reeperbahn Session - November 1996

Recorded at Black Eyed Pig Studios, San Francisco. Recordings engineered by Rick Wilson, mixed by Patrick O'Hearn

Lineup 1, tracks 1, 7, 9, and 11 : Erik Pearson - snake guitar Graham Connah - keyboard textures / piano / organ Patrick O'Hearn - drums / mixing / vari-speed violin tape loops Kirk Statham - bass Alex Candelaria - jazz guitar

Lineup 2, all tracks except 1, 7, 9, and 11 : as above but Tim Plowman - lead guitar (replaces Alex Candelaria) Alec Palao - bass (replaces Kirk Statham)

A. Reeperbahn LP

12"

US

May 1997

Belmondo Discs

bel 004

(i) 125 numbered copies on clear vinyl

(ii) 850 copies on black vinyl

Tracks: (Side 1) 1. The Reeperbahn (Side 2) 2. Martina - Queen Of Hamburg / 3. On The Corner (Part 2) / 4. Kyle Loves A Funny Bunny

B. Alive and in Full Bloom

CD

Holland

Jan 1998

Inbetween Records

IRCD 001

Tracks: 2. Martina - Queen Of Hamburg / 3. On The Corner (Part 2) / 4. Kyle Loves A Funny Bunny / 5. (Dinger And Rother Visit) The Reeperbahn / 6. Playing In Traffic / 7. What's Up With Graham? / 8. Nightime in Utrecht

C. Cream of Mushroom

CD

Germany

May 1998

Normal Records

Normal 215 CD

Tracks: 1. The Reeperbahn / 2. Martina - Queen Of Hamburg / 3. On The Corner (Part 2) / 4. Kyle Loves A Funny Bunny / 9. What Do You Say To A Man Who's Killed A Lion And Is Now Making Love To Your Wife? / 10. Klaus Dinger / 11. Saint John's Wort / 12. (The Continual Search For) Elaine Robinson

2. Hydrogen Jukebox Session - February 1998

Recorded at Black Eyed Pig, San Francisco, engineered by Rick Wilson, mixed by Patrick O'Hearn. The Analog Hi-Fi Surprise CD & LP was recorded & mixed at the same time as was the song Leni Riefenstahl.

Lineup: Erik Pearson - snake guitar / flute / saxophone Graham Connah - organ / keyboard textures / analog sounds Michael Holt - Rhodes electric piano / Mellotron sounds Patrick O'Hearn - Drums / bongos / percussives Alec Palao - 4 & 6 string bass Dan Olmstead - lead guitar

A. Hydrogen Jukebox

CD

US

Jan 1999

Timothy's Brain

# 107

(i) 330 copies in red/silver custom envelope cover

(ii) 330 copies in scarlet/copper custom envelope cover

(iii) 330 copies in turquoise/gold custom envelope cover

(iv) re-issue with red tri-fold custom cover - no title or catalogue number on spine of cover. There are only 100 copies of this re-issue

Tracks: Elliott Smith / When The Shit Gets Tough To Face - The Tough Get Shit Faced / McDonald And Giles / That Was When I Started Liking It / Still Waiting / Persona Non Grata / Elliott Smith Reprise

B. Analog Hi-Fi Surprise

Original CD (1999) Remastered CD (2002) Clearspot promo

CD

Germany

Apr 1999

Clearspot

cs26 / EFA CD 05414-2

CD

Germany

Apr 1999

Clearspot

EFA CD 05414 P (promo)

CD

US

Aug 1999

InnerSPACE

7708

2LP

Italy

Dec 1999

Fruit Tree

FT 806

CD

US

Aug 2002

Weed Records

7910

Tracks: (Side 1): The Magic Of Michael / Rackets / October 1970 / Theme From The Movie "Rock Bottom" ++ (Side 2): Our Buddy Miles / Abbie Hoffman (Side 3): A Song Of Remembrance For A Time When Wife Swapping Was Considered Politically Correct / The Evolution Of Smells In An Underground Parking Garage After An All Night Rave ## (Side 4): Elliott Smith ++ The order of the tracks is the same on both CD and LP, except "Abbie Hoffman" is the last track on the CD. Also, ++ indicates bonus tracks that do not appear on the CD version ## indicates bonus tracks that do not appear on the CD version The track "Elliott Smith" appears as a complete version in contrast to the edited version on "Hydrogen Jukebox". The 'edited' version is actually the same track just cut in half at the beginning and end of the CD There is a promo version of the Clearspot CD, issued in a generic card sleeve. The Weed Records version of the CD, released in August 2002, features new remastered sound and 4 bonus tracks recorded during the Analog Hi-Fi Sessions: 1) Theme Song From The Movie "Rock Bottom" (which only appeared on the vinyl version of Analog) 2) Jamming With Erik 3) Mothers, Birmingham 3:00 am 4) Women Want Many Different Things From One Man, Men Want Just One Thing From Many Different Women These 4 bonus tracks add nearly 25 minutes of new music to the previous CD. Also, the CD is now packaged in a deluxe 8 panel digi-pack with photos of the band, two sets of liner notes including details on the original recording session.

C. Out Takes From Analog Hi-Fi Surprise

CD-R

US

Nov 1999

n/a

n/a

(i) Limited edition of 20 copies sold during the European tour in November 1999, with custom artwork

Tracks: 1. Leni Riefenstahl / 2. Theme From The Movie "Rock Bottom" / 3. untitled / 4. Space Groove Jam #1 / 5. Three Flutes / 6. A Short Ride In Second Class / 7. silence / 8. silence / 9. untitled / 10. Funk Jam #1 / 11. Waiting Still / 12. Another Jam / 13. Herbie Hancock

D. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Aether

CD

US

Aether Records

aecd-100

(i) This Aether Records sampler contains one Mushroom song, "A Short Ride in 2nd Class", not available anywhere else. This song was recorded and mixed during the Analog Hi-Fi Surprise sessions.

3. Leni Riefenstahl Session - September 1998

Lineup: Michale Holt - Mellotron / Rhodes piano / voice (track 1) Erik Pearson - flute / saxophone / violin (tracks 1, 2, 3) Patrick O'Hearn - drums / tape manipulation (tracks 1 - 4) Dan Olmstead - drone guitar / guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3) Alec Palao - bass (track 1) Graham Connah - analog keyboard sounds (track 1) Kurt Statham - bass / invisible bass (tracks 2, 3, 4) Alison Faith Levy - keyboards /overdriven keyboards (tracks 2, 3, 4)

A. Leni Riefenstahl LP

LP

US

Jan 2000

Aether Records

AE LLP-07

(i) 450 numbered copies

Tracks: (Side 1): 1. Leni Riefenstahl / 2. A Violin Bow In Curved Air (Side 2): 3. A Tribute To Eddie Harris a) Swiss Movement (The Ticking Of A Clock) b) Some Jive Ass Wasting My Time / 4. Dig My Mood The track “Some Jive Ass Wasting My Time” appears as an edited version on the compilation CD “Return To Sender 2001”. There is also a remixed version, the Consommé mix, on the compilation CD, “Don’t Rewind” by Dipstick and released by Weed Records.

B. This Note's For You Too

CD

Holland

? 1999

Inbetween Records

IRCD 004

(i) This album, a tribute to Neil Young, features Mushroom covering, "The Emperor Of Wyoming", not available anywhere else. The Neil Young song was recorded at Black Eyed Pig Studio on September 20, 1998, engineered by Rick Wilson, mixed by Patrick O'Hearn. Also recorded that day were all the tracks on the Aether Records except the title track.

4. Foxy Music Sessions

There was 2 seperate recording sessions for Foxy Music. The first one was in November 1998 at Komotion Studios in San Francisco. Jeff Mann was the engineer. The material was later mixed by Quintus Kannegeisser or Patrick O'Hearn. The band line up for November 1998 was: Jon Birdsong - cornet / tuba / effects ("Foxy Music" tracks 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16) Michael Holt - Rhodes piano / Oberheim (tracks 1 - 16) Erik Pearson - snake guitar / flute / sax / violin (tracks 1 - 16) Patrick O'Hearn - drums (tracks 1 - 16) Dave Mihaly - percussion (tracks 1 - 16) Kurt Statham - bass (tracks 1 - 15, except 6) Marc Capelle - trumpet (tracks 6, 14) Jay Radford - sitar / oud / saz (tracks 5 - 16) Allison Faith Levy - vocal (track 6) Michael Clare - bass (track 6) The next recording session for Foxy Music was in December 1999 at Black Eyed Pig Studios, engineered by Kyle Statham. Mixed by Quintus Kannegeisser. The band line up at these sessions was: Michael Holt - Rhodes piano Erik Pearson - snake guitar / flute / sax Patrick O'Hearn - drums Dave Mihaly - percussion Carroll Ashby - trombone (tracks 1, 2, 3 ,4 11) Josh Pollock - guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 11) Kurt Statham - bass Michael Bluestein - organ (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 11)

A. Compared To What

US CD version German CD version

LP

US

Sep 2000

Weed Records

weed 7904

(i) 250 copies on 180 gm red vinyl

(ii) 1000 copies on 180 gm green vinyl

CD

Germany

Feb 2001

Clearspot

CS 046 / EFA CD 05427

CD

US

Apr 2001

InnerSPACE Records

7714

Tracks (CD): Compared To What Erik's Birthday After Thai Dinner Mix by Qunitus Kannegiesser and O'Hearn / I Got Blisters On My Fingers Black Eyed Pig Rough Mix / For Men With Beards Brenda's Break Beat Edit / Foxy Music Mama Faust Remix by Hans Joachim Irmler / Let's Have Sex Spex Magazine Died For Somebody's Sins But Not Mine Remix by Quintus Kannegiesser / I Got Blisters On My Fingers Belgian White Chocolate Remix by Kyle Statham, Anne & Nathalie / Americans Own The Moon... 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention Remix by Bundy K. Brown / Jamming With Candy Tracks (LP): (Side 1): Compared To What Erik's Birthday After Thai Dinner Mix by Qunitus Kannegiesser and O'Hearn / For Men With Beards Brenda's Break Beat Edit / Foxy Music Mama Faust Remix by Hans Joachim Irmler (Side 2): Let's Have Sex Noise 'N' Guitars Remix by Quintus Kannegiesser / Americans Own The Moon... 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention Remix by Bundy K. Brown "Compared To What" is an album of re-mixes of "Foxy Music" but released before "Foxy Music". However, the song "Compared To What" was a new song recorded at Black Eyed Pig in May 1999 by Kyle Statham and mixed by Quintus Kannegiesser and Patrick O'Hearn. Also, "Lets Have Sex" was recorded during The Reeperbahn sessions in November 1996 and mixed by Quintus Kannegiesser in January 1997. The versions of "Lets Have Sex" are totally different on the US and German editions of the CD. The "Foxy Music" remix differs between the LP and CD "Americans Own The Moon..." was edited down by about 10 mins for the LP. The complete 20+ minute version is only on the CD. "Jamming With Candy" is a hidden track only on the German CD, and "Connecting The Molecules With The Light" is a hidden track on the US CD. Both were recorded live at the Tongue & Groove, San Francisco, on May 10th 2000. They feature Jon Birdsong (cornet), Josh Pollock (guitar), Jeff Palmer (bass), Quintus Kannegiesser (bongos, shakers), Dave Mihaly (percussion), Erik Pearson (snake guitar), Patrick O'Hearn (drums).

B. Foxy Music

CD

Germany

Jul 2001

Clearspot

CS 049 / EFA 05430-2

CD

US

Oct 2001

InnerSPACE Records

CS 049 / EFA 05430-2

2LP

US

Nov 2001

InnerSPACE Records

7716

Tracks: (Side 1): 1. Grooving With Herbie ** / 2. The Greatest Pleasure In Life Is Doing What People Say You Cannot Do / 3. I Got Blisters On My Fingers ** / 4. The Flipper ++ (Side 2): 5. Joe Namath ** / 6. Foxy Music / 7. Van The Man ++ (Side 3): 8. Getting In Thun / 9. Americans Own The Moon, They Bought It from The Germans - Who Won It During A Poker Game in World War II ** / 10. I Had Some Dreams, They Were Clouds In My Coffee (Side 4): 11. Don't Blame Me, I Voted For McGovern / 12. Terry & Jerry / 13. Super Goody Bags / 14. For Men With Beards / 15. Birdsong (The Songbird) ++ The order of the tracks is almost the same on both CD and LP, except "I Had Some Dreams, ..." appears after "Foxy Music" on the CD. The digipak for the CDs is the same for both the German and US version. The discs were produced separately though and have different designs. The US version of the CD then had a paper sleeve ‘wraparound’ with some additional biographical information. The track, “Joe Namath” also appears on a promotional CD, “New Spirits In Jazz Part 5” ++ indicates bonus tracks that do not appear on the CD version, and ** indicates extended length songs, longer than CD version

C. Fluorescent Tunnelvision

2CD

US

? 2001

Submergence

SUB-0047

(i) This compilation features one Mushroom song, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore", not available anywhere else. This song was recorded during the November 1998 session and the line up is the one indicated for 'track 16'.

D. Alison Faith Levy & Mushroom – gas, grass or ass – nobody rides for free

CD Single

UK

Feb 2007

4 Zero Records

FZ 002

(i) This single was recorded at the “Foxy Music” sessions, and was released to promote the album, “Yesterday, I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers”, and features two exclusive live tracks. Only 100 copies were made. Tracks: 1. gas, grass or ass – nobody rides for free / 2. Half A Mile From The Country Fair / 3. She’s So Phased Out The line up for the first track is the November session (Alison Faith Levy, Pat Thomas, Erik Pearson, Michael Holt, Michael Clare, Marc Capelle and Dave Mihaly) Track 2 was recorded at Peri’s, Fairfax on 22^nd June 2002 and features Alison Faith Levy: vocals, Pat Thomas: drums, emery Dora: keyboards, Ned Doherty: bass, Dave Mihaly: marimba, Tim Plowman: guitar. Track 3 was recorded at Blake’s, Berekely on 3^rd December 2004 and features Alison Faith Levy: vocals, Ned Doherty: bass, Matt Cuntiz: keyboards, Dan Olmsted: guitar, Tim Plowman: guitar, David Brandt: percussion/bongos

E. Alison Faith Levy & Mushroom – Yesterday, I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers

CD

UK

May 2007

4 Zero Records

FZ 003

Limited edition of 1,000 copies Tracks: 1. Electric Muse / 2. Josh Pollock / 3. Clay Alison / 4. gas, grass or ass – nobody rides for free / 5. you laugh at me because I’m different, I laugh at you, because you’re all the same / 6. Kraut Mask Replica / 7. Ocean Beach / 8. the sun machine is coming down and we’re gonna have a party (6:53) The line up for the tracks 1, 4, 5 and 7 is the November session (Alison Faith Levy, Pat Thomas, Erik Pearson, Michael Holt, Michael Clare, Marc Capelle and Dave Mihaly) Tracks 2 and 6 were recorded at 12 Galaxies, San Francisco on 12^th February 2004 and feature Alison Faith levy: vocals, Josh Pollock: guitar/megaphone, Seth Augustus: igil, Daniel Schacht: bass, Tim Plowman: guitar, Ralph Carney: saxophone/clarinet/percussion, Emery Dora: organ/piano, Pat Thomas: drums, Dave Mihaly: percussion. Tracks 3 was recorded at Pete's 881 Club, San Rafael on 30^th November 2002 and features Alison Faith levy: vocals, Matt Cunitz: celeste, Ned Doherty: bass, Pat Thomas: bongos/maracas, Erik Pearson: flute, Tim Plowman: guitar. Track 8 was recorded at Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco on 21^st August 2005 and features Alison Faith Levy: vocals, Pat Thomas: drums, Josh Pollock: guitar/megaphone, Erik Pearson: guitar/vocals, Ned Doherty: bass, Matt Cunitz: moog, Seth Augustus: igil, Dave Mihaly: percussion.

5. Live...

A. Oh, But They're Weird And They're Wonderful

CD

Germany

Feb 2002

Return To Sender

RTS 35

(i) Released in digipack, limited edition of 2,000

Tracks: Are We Being Taped? / A Dusty Groove / Theme Song For Stereo Steve / Sonia & Sonya / What's The Deal With Q? / Brian Felix & The Trinity / I Saw The Best Minds Of My Generation Destroyed By Acid Jazz / Party With Marty / If This Was Released On Thrill Jockey or Kranky Would You Like It More? / 4 Men With Beards / Wolfgang Dauner / Unless The People Of The Present Day Correctly Understand The Musical Convulsions Of The 1970's, They Will Stumble Into Fatal Errors Of Judgement About Their Own Times And Their Own Lives / The Scream Of The Butterfly / My Sweet Eddie / Why Don't Nick & Vince Ever Pay Their Bills?

B. Aural Innovations Radio Show #118

US

Jan 2005

N/a

N/a

(i) This radio show is available for download at Aural Innovations and features Pat Thomas discussing Mushroom songs from various albums as well as previously unreleased live and studio cuts.

Tracks: (Part One): 1. The Beards Are Back In Town (from Glazed Popems) / 2. untitled jam (Pat Thomas Band, Köln, Germany, 5/19/96, with Erik Pearson) / 3. - Lady Rachel (Kevin Ayers & Mushroom, San Francisco, CA, 5/24/98) / 4. The Pusher (from Mad Dogs & San Franciscans) / 5. live improvisation (San Rafael, CA, 1/11/02) / 6. Theme From An Imaginary Western (Mushroom with Pete Brown) / 7. Isle Of Wight (from Glazed Popems) (Part 2): 8. Why Are We Sleeping? (Daevid Allen's University of Errors, Berkeley, CA, 7/17/99) / 9. L'auberge (from Glazed Popems) / 10. Use Me (unreleased studio track) / 11. A Song Of Remembrance For A Time When Wife Swapping Was Considered Politically Correct (from Analog Hi-Fi Surprise) / 12. The Reeperbahn (San Francisco, CA, 5/24/98) / 13. Tonight Let's All Make Love In Oakland (from Glazed Popems)

C. Dream Magazine #5

CD

US

? 2005

No label

No Cat #

(i) This compilation, included in Dream Magazine #5, Spring 2005, features one Mushroom song, "Patrick Loves The Sublime Directory After Midnight”, not available anywhere else. This song was recorded live at Brainwash, San Francisco, 19^th June 2000 and was written and performed by Erik Pearson, Dan Olmstead, Pat Thomas, Dave Mihaly, Kurt Statham, and Carroll Ashby.

D. Really Don’t Mind If You Sit This One Out

CD

UK

Mar 2006

4 Zero Records

FZ001

(i) Released in digipack, limited edition of 1,000.

Tracks: 1. Klonopin / 2. Kyle Loves A Funny Bunny / 3. The Reeperbahn / 4. My Brain Hurt Like A Warehouse, It Had No Room To Spare / 5. Philip Seymour Hoffman / 6. Why Do Most German Booking Agents Have Brain Damage? Track 1 – Make Out Room, 11/1/98. Pat Thomas – drums. Erik Pearson – flute, sax. Michael Holt – Fender Rhodes piano. Marc Capelle – trumpet. Kurt Statham – bass. Dan Olmsted – guitar. David Mihaly – percussion. Tracks 2 & 3 – Make Out Room, 6/27/97. Pat Thomas – drums. Erik Pearson – guitar. Alec Palao – bass. Graham Connah – piano, organ, Nord Lead synthesizer. Alex Candelaria – guitar. Track 4 – Last Day Saloon, 9/22/98. Pat Thomas – drums. Erik Pearson – flute, guitar. Michael Holt – Fender Rhodes piano. Alec Palao – bass. Monica Pasqual – electric grand piano. Dan Olmsted – guitar. Dave Mihaly – percussion. Tracks 5 & 6 – Edinburgh Castle, 2/13/98. Pat Thomas – drums, bongos. Erik Pearson – guitar, flute. Michael Holt – Fender Rhodes piano, mellotron. Alec Palao – bass. Dan Olmsted – guitar.

E. Operation Stardust: an interstellar song collection

CD

Germany

2006

Perry Rhodan / Tribal Storm

TS 504

(i) This compilation features one Mushroom song, "In The Spirit Of Lothar”, not available anywhere else. This song was recorded live on June 8^th 2005 at the 12 Galaxies, San Francisco, and was written and performed by Pat Thomas, Alison Levy, Josh Pollock, Erik Pearson, Ned Doherty, Matt Cunitz, Dave Mihaly, and Seth Augustus.

F. Live Peaks: A Mushroom Sampler

US

July 2007

n/a

n/a

This podcast, a live retrospective produced by Pat Thomas, was published in three parts at the Earcandy Archive. Part 1 features Pat Thomas talking about the origins of Mushroom; The Pat Thomas Band live in Koln, Germany, 19^th May 1996; Mushroom live at The Make Out Room, 27^th June 1997; Mushroom live at the Edinburg Castle, 13^th February 1998; Pat’s introduction to The Reeperbahn; Mushroom playing ‘The Reeperbahn’ live in san Francisco, 24^th May 1998. Part 2 features a Pat Thomas introduction to the Kevin Ayers song “Lady Rachael” then performed live with Kevin Ayers on 24^th May 1998; Mushroom live with Daevid Allen on 25^th September 1998; Mushroom live at the Paradise Lounge, 18^th October 1998; Mushroom live at Ireland’s 32, 11^th April 1999; Pat intro to the University of Errors; and Deavid Allen’s University Of Errors live in Berkeley, 17^th July 1999. Part 3 features Mushroom live in Helibronn, Germany, November 1999; Pat’s introduction to Mushroom in San Rafeal; Mushroom live in San Rafael, 11^th January 2002; Pat’s comments on working with Pete Brown; Mushroom live with Pete Brown, “Theme From An Imaginary Western”, Dylan’s Pub, October 15^th 2003; Mushroom live with Ralph Carney, San Francisco, 29^th July 2006.

G. Under Covers

US

February 2008

n/a

n/a

Another podcast from the Earcandy Archive, again compiled by Pat Thomas, “Under Covers” features Mushroom performing live cover version sof the following songs: Tonight's The Night, Cortez the Killer, Do What You Like, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Hats Off To Bert Jansch, Cold Turkey, Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys, Let Me Roll It

6. Mad Dogs & San Franciscans Session

Lineup: Gary Floyd - vocals Michael Holt – Wurlitzer electric piano Erik Pearson – cornet, tuba Carroll Ashby - trombone Josh Pollock – lead guitar, acoustic guitar Caroleen Beatty - vocals Doug Pearson – Wiard analogue synthesizer Patrick O’Hearn Thomas – drums Dave Mihally – percussion Kurt Statham – Fender bass

A. Mad Dogs & San Franciscans

CD

US

Mar 2003

Black Beauty Records

BB 72003

Tracks: (Side 1) 1. Introduction: Learning To Live Together / 2. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, But It Will Be Auctioned Off On Ebay / 3. Pusherman / 4. Delta Lady / 5. Keep On Running / 6. I Got A Line On You (Side 2) 7. Even The Beatles Had Beards / 8. Water / 9. Slip Away / 10. The Pusher / 11. Space Captain

B. I Am A Photographer

CD

US

2001

Plain Recordings

Plain 101CD

This compilation, a tribute to the cult film “Blow Up” by Michelangelo Antonioni, features two Mushroom tracks. The first is “Antonioni’s Groove”. The second is “Full Frontal Nudity” and is actually credited to a fake band called Birdsong’s Airforce.

7. Glazed Popems Session – March 2002

The original recording dates for this album was the weekend 23-24 of March 2002. On the Saturday the band consisted of: Pat Thomas - drums Mike Rinta - trombone Erik Pearson - guitar, sax Brian Felix - keyboards Ned Doherty - bass Tim Plowman - guitar Caroleen Beatty - vocals Dave Mihaly - congas, percussion On Sunday Alison Levy replaced Caroleen Beatty on vocals, Ralph Carney replaced Mike Rinta on horns, and Matt Cunitz joined on keyboards. Several hours of music were recorded, including the three songs that appear on the Caroleen Beatty EP. Originally these were intended for "Glazed Popems" but it was decided that as the previous album, “Mad Dogs & San Fanciscans” has been ‘covers’, the new CD should feature all original material. The recording studio used for this and many other Mushroom sessions - Black Eye Pig in San Francisco - closed down soon after, so after several months hiatus the recordings were taken to Wally Sound Studios in Oakland where Matt Cunitz added some Mellotron on several tracks in April 2003. This was an original Mellotron, not a sample or synth. The album was mixed during the summer of 2003 and much thought was put into what songs would appear on the two disc set as there was more than enough for a double album. In fact one song on the album, “Isle Of Wight”, was actually recorded on September 20th 1998, during the sessions that resulted in the “Leni Riefenstahl” vinyl LP. Lineup: Matt Henry Cunitz – keyboards (disc one tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8; disc two tracks 2,3, 7, 8) Brian Felix – keyboards (disc one tracks 1, 6, 7; disc two tracks 1 – 6) Ralph Carney – sax, clarinet, flute (disc one tracks 3, 4, 7; disc two tracks 1, 7, 8) Erik Pearson – guitar (disc one tracks 1, 2, 3, 6; disc two tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8) flute, sax (disc one tracks 4, 5; disc two tracks 4, 5) Michael Rinta – trombone, tuba, trumpet (disc one tracks 1; disc two tracks 4, 5, 6) Dave Mihaly – percussion (disc one tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7; disc two tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7) Pat Thomas – drums (disc one tracks 1, 3, 5; 7; disc two tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8) Tim Plowman – guitar (disc one tracks 1; disc two tracks 4, 5, 6) Alison Levy – organ (disc one tracks 1) synthesizer (disc one tracks 5) vocals (disc two tracks 5) Ned Doherty – bass (disc one tracks 1, 3, 7; disc two tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) Dan Olmstead – guitar (disc one tracks 5) Kurt Statham bass (disc one tracks 5) Monica Pasqual – piano (disc one tracks 5) Katharine Starzel – wind (disc one track 9))

A. Glazed Popems

2CD

US

Jul 2004

Black Beauty Records

BB 72005

(i) A limited edition of 500 promos were issued in a gatefold digipack. The regular 2CD is housed in a jewel case. Tracks: (Disc 1: London) 1. L’Auberge / 2. Pink Island / 3. (Hats Off To) Bert Jansch / 4. A Stone’s Throw From Coe Fenn / 5. Isle Of Wight / 6. You And I Have Memories, Longer Than The Road That Stretches Out Ahead / 7. Half Sicilian, Half Welsh / 8. Just Because Nobody Understands You, That Doesn’t Mean You’re An Artist / 9. Blackwaterside (Disc 2: Oakland) 1. The Beards Are Back In Town / 2. Tin Foil Hat / 3. This Goes Squonk! / 4. Blues For Bobby Seale / 5. Glazed Popems / 6. Tonite Let’s All Make Love In Oakland / 7. Sunday Morning, Seven AM On San Pablo Avenue / 8. Running Wild And Looking Pretty (Theme Song For DJ Kitty) An edited version of “(Hats Off To) Bert Jansch” appears on the compilation CD packaged with issue #36 of Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine.

B. Caroleen Beatty – You’re Only As Pretty As You Feel

CD

US

Aug 2005

Black Beauty Records

BB 72009

(i) This EP was recorded at the “Glazed Popems” sessions and features Caroleen Beatty along with Mushroom performing covers of 60s and 70s soul, funk and psychedelic songs originally recorded by Bill Withers, Pentangle, Julie Driscoll and Brian Augur, Jefferson Airplane, and Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Some of these tracks were intended for the “Glazed Popems” album. Tracks: 1. Use Me / 2. Sally Go Round The Roses / 3. The Flesh Failures / 4. Pretty As You Feel / 5. Toady The track “Pretty As You Feel” also appears on a compilation called “Pull Up The Paisley Covers” issued by Aether Records.

8. Joint Happening Sessions – September to December 2004

Lineup: On all songs: Eddie Gale - trumpet Pat Thomas – drums (and on song 1 only: congas) Ned Doherty – bass Matt Henry Cunitz - Mellotron Flutes & Cello (1),  Acoustic upright Piano (songs 3,5,7), Rhodes (1,2,6), Clavinet (1), Hammond C3 (6), Minimoog (2,4),Yamaha Electone (3,7), Korg MS-10 synthesizer (7) Tim Plowman – guitar David Brandt – vibraphone, congas, djembe, percussion On songs 1, 2, 4, 6: Tim Plowman:  guitar David Brandt: vibraphone, congas, djembe, percussion On songs: 3, 5, 7: Erik Pearson: guitar, flute, saxophone Dave Mihaly: marimba, percussives, admirable restraint Songs 1, 2, 4, 6  recording & mixing engineer: Daniel J. Schacht with additional mixing & production by Tim Plowman Recorded at Schacht's studio in Oakland, CA from September to December 2004 Songs 3, 5, 7 recorded by Pat Thomas live at The Metro in Oakland, CA on March 11th, 2004

A. Joint Happening

CD

US

Jul 2007

Hyena Records

BB 72005

Tracks: 1. Peace / 2. I don't need to fight, to prove I'm right - I don't need to be forgiven / 3. I was torn down at the dance place - shaved head at the organ / 4. Border Crossing / 5. Selling Oakland by the pound / 6. Our Love / 7. The Spirit

Information Source

Most of the information contained here is based on my personal collection. I am also indebted to Pat Thomas for providing additional details.

Links

The Official Mushroom web site is hosted by Paisley Pop.

Inbetween Records put out the first Mushroom CD.

Aural Innovations have published a number of features and reviews; History and Patrick O'Hearn Interview, Hydrogen Jukebox review, Leni Riefenstahl review, Foxy Music review, “Glazed Popems” review and Pat Thomas interview, “Mad Dogs & San Franciscans” review, “Analog Hi-Fi Surprise” (remastered with bonus tracks) review, “Oh But They’re Weird And They’re Wonderful” review, “Compared To What” CD review, “Compared To What” LP review, . The Aural Innovations site also includes a Mushroom special radio show, broadcast on January 23^rd 2005, that includes songs from several albums, previously unreleased live and studio songs plus commentary from Pat Thomas.

Fake Jazz have reviews of “Glazed Popems”, and “Mad Dogs & San Franciscans”

Progressive World have also published a couple of reviews; Analog Hi-Fi Surprise, Foxy Music

Krautrocknet has a review of “Cream Of Mushroom” and an interview with Pat Thomas.

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