PTARMIGAN
"S/T" LP
Ptarmigan recorded the basic tracks for what
would eventually become their only album in
1972. It then took the band’s producer and
manager, renowned flautist Paul Horn, more
than a year to find a label willing to release
such unusual music. Finally, in 1974, Columbia
Records released Ptarmigan’s album to critical
acclaim, and minimal sales. The music of
Ptarmigan is deep and authentic and intimate;
it's reflective sounds are well suited to
meditating on a landscape, an emotion, a
bottle of wine, or maybe while staring at a
flickering candle. Sometimes it is
free-flowing and jazz-oriented; at other times
it has the mystical feel of a shamanistic
ceremony, fueled by Eastern-tinged harmonies.
But in the end, this album is about the sea:
Ptarmigan was, after all, from Vancouver
Island, and the musicians were well-versed in
the contradictory moods of the surrounding
ocean. Hypnotic, mystical, largely
instrumental tracks, all based on a complex
interplay of recorder, hand drums and acoustic
guitar—one of those hidden gems that make life
better when you discover them all these years
later. Rated by many as the best
"folk/progressive" and/or "folk/psych" album
ever made. As one contemporary review said,
this is "music from musicians, for musicians,
late-at-night, last joint music." Our Lion
Productions reissue comes with a massive
fold-out insert which includes lyrics, liner
notes from the band, and a multitude of photos
and historical mementos.
•First official vinyl reissue since it's debut
in 1974
•Rated by many as the best "folk/progressive"
and/or "folk/psych" album ever made
•From the master tapes
•Limited edition of 500 copies
•Huge insert comes with lyrics, liner notes
from the band, and more
Track list:
Side A:
01. Go Dancing
02. The Island
03. Vancouver
Side B:
01. Night of the Gulls
02. Coquihalla
Catalogue number: LION LP-137
UPC: 778578313715