Randy California - Kapt. Kopter and the (Fabulous) Twirly Birds (1972 heavy psych rock)

"Though fans of Wolfe, a.k.a. Randy California (the nick-name given him by Hendrix in order to differentiate from another Randy in his mid 60's band) are well familiar with the fact that he was a protege of the great Jimi Hendrix, many might have been left wondering when, if ever, Hendrix's influence would take effect. They were no longer wondering once he left Spirit to release this solo effort. Filled with heavy guitar driven psychedelic hard rock, Hendrix similarities abound, though I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a long lost Hendrix album, per se. But it should appeal to fans of the great one. Grades - 1 A-, 3 B+'s, 2 B's, a B-, and a C-, that last grade a totally out of place cover of Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" - what was he thinking? Original first issues came out on the yellow Epic label."
From RYM

"After too many arguments and lengthy bad vibrations Randy California decided to quit Spirit after the critically acclaimed Tweleve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus. Soon after quiting he had an accident and when he finally got his shit together recorded Kapt. Kopter And The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds album, something of a dedication to his old friend and mentor Jimi Hendrix. It's a very raw sounding album with a very live essence and Randy gathers Noel Redding (using the pseudonym Clit McTorius) and various other refugees to record this album. Rumour persists that Mitch Mitchell also beats the drums somewhere. California's step father Ed Cassidy, longtime Spirit drummer, also makes an experienced appearance. "Downer" is a prototype stoner rock song with sheets of distorted guitars, delayed and echoed vocals that give that twirly acid feeling and has that typical laid back Californian style all over it. Think Blue Cheer but with better riffs and superior delivery. "Devil" is even better. A classic track more laid back that most of the other material here with killer licks and excellent vocal melody with that stoned out quality that is par for the course of what is an acid trip entitled Kapt Kopter And The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds, very inspired. Influences ranging from James Brown and Simon And Garfunkel are evident but the Beatles more so with the rifftastic "Day Tripper", a song Hendrix used to cover in the days that Randy Wolfe played with with him before the Wolfe became California, and the more or less unsung Beatles track "Rain" which becomes an eight minute plus acid rock staple. Very unlike the original but this is a good thing. There is nothing worse than a band covering another artist's material and playing it note for note, making no mark what so ever and so cede a personal identity, trait. California adds his own dimension, idiosyncratic style and feeling to "Rain" as he does with the other cover songs. This is a great album slightly tarnished by the unfortunate production where at times the sound is very percussive and at other times a bit too low due to a lack of a decent mix, but the songs are genuinely good and mystifying. Recently this album has been given a CD release so perhaps it might even have been remastered? It would be worth it. Randy California was a genius among genius. But worthy of the title".
From RYM

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