Gong - Shapeshifter (1992)
Artist: Gong
Title: Shapeshifter
Year Of Release: 1992
Label: Celluloid #66914-2
Genre: Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock, Canterbury Scene
Quality: EAC Rip -> FLAC (Tracks+Cue+m3u, Log) / MP3 CBR320
Total Time: 01:05:43
Total Size: 401 / 168 Mb (Full Scans)
WebSite: Album Preview
Shapeshifter is the ninth studio album released under the name Gong and the sixth album by the Daevid Allen version of the group. It was released in 1992. It is the first proper album from Daevid Allen's Gong since You from 1974. It is the first album from the original group without founding member Gilli Smyth. Didier Malherbe and Allen are the only two returning performers from the previous album. Pip Pyle, who performed on Continental Circus and Camembert Electrique also returns. With main character Zero the hero, the album continues the Gong mythology, the central part of which was formed with the Radio Gnome Trilogy of albums, comprising Flying Teapot in 1973, followed by Angel's Egg, 1973, and You in 1974. In episode four in the album Shapeshifter (1992), Zero meets an urban shaman who agrees to take Zero to the next level of awareness on the proviso that Zero spends nine months on an airplane, travelling where he wants but not using money or eating anything other than airline food. Zero eventually dies in Australia under mysterious circumstances.Title: Shapeshifter
Year Of Release: 1992
Label: Celluloid #66914-2
Genre: Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock, Canterbury Scene
Quality: EAC Rip -> FLAC (Tracks+Cue+m3u, Log) / MP3 CBR320
Total Time: 01:05:43
Total Size: 401 / 168 Mb (Full Scans)
WebSite: Album Preview
For their first album of new material in over 20 years, the real Gong (i.e., one led by Daevid Allen and containing a number of players from the classic '60s-'70s period) offer -- well, much of what made them so popular in the first place. There's an impish sense of humor to the lyrics, Gilli Smyth's deeply echoing space whisper, stunning sax and flute work from the criminally underrated Didier Malherbe, and plenty of trademark glissando guitar from Allen himself. Goddesses are invoked, gnomes are mentioned, and rhubarb is eaten, among many other things. Guitarist Steffi Sharpstrings fills what was Steve Hillage's role with plenty of post-punk energy, but really it all revolves around Allen's personality and some stunning music. Time's been kind to Gong. Their pioneering space rock ways found a home with the ambient crowd and their music shows they've listened to what's gone on and incorporated it into their sonic journey, which is part prog rock, part jazz, and part just out there. "Can You: You Can," a live cut from 1992, with its wonderful improvisations, is a prime example, although even better is the long closer "Goddess Inovation/Om Riff," where they hammer to infinity and beyond. Veteran Pip Pyle shows a light, steady touch on the drums, Allen is even more inventive than before, and the refusal to take themselves completely seriously keeps it floating along. Having this band together before recording in the studio was obviously a good idea; they mesh perfectly, and it's good to have a classic back, energetic and full of ideas.
~ Chris Nickson, All Music
Track List:
01. Gnomerique [0:08]
02. Shapeshifter [4:54]
03. Hymnalayas [7:39]
04. Dog-O-Matic [3:01]
05. Spirit With Me [2:28]
06. Mr Albert Parkin [0:18]
07. Raindrop Tablas [0:22]
08. Give My Mother A Soul Call [4:04]
09. Heaven's Gate [4:50]
10. Snake Tablas [0:35]
11. Loli [5:09]
12. La Bas La Bas [4:07]
13. I Gotta Donkey [2:13]
14. Can You : You Can [9:09]
15. Confiture De Rhubarbier [1:19]
16. Parkin Triumphant [0:07]
17. Longhaired Tablas [0:15]
18. Elephant La Tete [4:42]
19. Mother's Gone [1:13]
20. Elephant La Cuisse [3:27]
21. White Doves [5:25]
22. Gnomoutro [0:28]
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