THE FUGS “BELLE OF AVENUE” KEEPER COPY

The Fugs “Belle of Avenue A” (U.S.Reprise two color) 1969 This was the band’s last studio album for a long time and that adds a real poignancy to the whole affair. After the free-for-all cosmic psychofreakorama of It Called Into My Hand, Honest the band knew they probably couldn’t top that album’s unique sound so opted for something more stripped down and minimalistic. And it works just as well!

The band’s three frontmen all get to show their skills. We have three numbers with lead vocals from Tuli – damn, I really wish he’d sang on more songs! Tuli preferred to work as a songwriter/lyricist but there’s a real power to his singing. He was nearing 50 at this point and his voice is worn but there’s great warmth and wisdom to it. His lyrics draw on political history and popular culture – though they’re abstract and surreal, certain words and images just evoke something in me that I can’t really describe. How’s that for psychedelic?

Ken Weaver and Ed Sanders are a little more straightforward but no less wonderful. I guess you could describe Weaver as a demented blues shouter – there’s even a hint of Jim Morrison to his voice! The tense hard blues of “Four Minutes to Twelve” provides the rawk on a mostly acoustic album.

There’s something of a proto-folk punk edge to Sander’s vocals and songwriting style. This guy never took himself too seriously! I guess you could say the title track is like a psycho-hippie precursor to Tenacious D. Sander’s Zappa-esque manner of speech, revolving around archaic language, nonsense poetry and very long sentences is in full effect here. A tiny push up bra made from the eyelids of an elephant… Genius!

CVR IS STRONG VG++ JUST A SLIGHT CORNER BEND…DISC IS SWEET M-
Track listingShow track credits
A1
Bum’s Song3:02
A2
Dust Devil3:15
A3
Chicago2:11
A4
Four Minutes to Twelve5:37
A5
Mr. Mack3:49
B1
Belle of Avenue A5:40
B2
Queen of the Nile2:44
B3
Flower Children4:22
B4
Yodeling Yippie2:16
B5
Children of the Dream5:55