The Leaves - War of Distortion (1966)

This California group was started by college-student Jim Pons who was inspired to form a band after hearing The Beatles on the radio. He gathered up his fraternity brothers and, none of them knowing an instrument, they taught themselves how to play. Their first gig was in a school gym on the same bill as Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. They would later replace The Byrds, who had just been signed, as the house-band at a local nightclub until being discovered by Pat Boone. In November 1965, they became the first group to release the (now) rock standard “Hey Joe” and had a hit with it in 1966 when they released a re-recorded version. The group disbanded when Pons left to join The Turtles in 1967.

This song appeared on the group’s 1966 debut album, Hey Joe.



The Leaves - War of Distortion (1966)

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Lyrics:

The “War of Distortion” rages
Like a forest fire
Giant monsters scream and yell
And they never tire

The greedy hands of Mr. Lee
Makes the un-hips eardrums bleed

Simple folks, though wild appearing
The freaky fox with one gold earring

Things that make it
Things that dangle
Distorted sounds from every angle

Secret dreams exposed by night
Change the dimming to the light

Everything is like it seems
No crashing thunder from machines

Magna Carta - Time for the Leaving (1969)

Having been performing for over thirty-five years, this London group first got together in April 1969 surrounding musician Chris Simpson. Simpson, after attending college and before forming the group, was working odd-jobs while doing gigs at night. He once had the pleasure (and luck) to open for Cream. That night, Eric Clapton hadn’t brought any guitar picks with him and Simpson gave him his. As a means of gratitude, Clapton allowed Simpson to use Cream’s stage gear. Simpson recalled that Clapton “came out with a beautiful lady and danced to our set.”

Written by Simpson, this song comes from the group’s debut album, Magna Carta / Times of Change. Besides Simpson, who was on guitar and vocals, it featured Lyell Tranter on guitar/vocals and Glen Stuart on vocals. The album didn’t reach the success of their next release, Seasons, but still went silver (sold over 60,000 copies).

EDIT: Lyrics completed by Peter from Peter's Power Pop. Thank you!



Magna Carta - Time for the Leaving (1969)

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Lyrics:

The wind blows the ashes of summer
And pulls at a torn paper face on the hoarding
And a marmalade cat with dark mangled ears
Slips through the fence without speaking

This was my world, alone
Football and marbles and coming home late if you dare
I look at the face in the mirror
I know it so well
But I don't know at all

And the child books are weary
Faint on the shelves
And the things that were precious
Now dusty

This was my yesterday
And the friends that I knew have all gone
Now, and now
Now is the time
For the leaving

In the corner, she sits by the fire
And seeks for the words that somehow elude her
And a yesterday face with the Kitchener mustache
Looks down, faded brown, from the mantelpiece

This is her world alone
A blue cotton dress
And the man on the cross on the wall

"Oh, why must you go?" were the words that she found
"There's a job with a paperback firm
Five minutes away and the pay is real good
And the prospects get better, they say"

"How can I tell you now?
'Goodbye' must be all I can say"
Now, and now
Now is the time
For the leaving

Now, and now
Now is the time
For the leaving

Wishbone Ash - Valediction (1971)

Formed in 1969, this British group is remembered for being innovators in using two lead guitars. Originally the band was trying to choose between Ted Turner and Andy Powell for who would become their guitarist. Unable to make a decision, they decided to see what would happen if they both played simultaneously. It was a success. Both of the guitarists would later be put in the Top 20 of Rolling Stones’ “Greatest Guitarists of All-Time”. Although many members of the band have come and gone since, the group still performs to this day, having released twenty-three albums.

This song comes from the group’s second album, Pilgrimage, released in 1971. The album featured a more folk-oriented sound, which differed from the blues rock style found on their first album. This song in particular features a four-part harmony that was attempting to capitalize on the success of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Although the song and album did well, it wasn’t until their third album that they were considered to reach their peak.



Wishbone Ash - Valediction (1971)

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Lyrics:

Breathing is a sin, they say
‘Loneliness’ is the price to pay
Sad for you, I go once more
I'll dry my eyes on a distant shore

No way of freezing your rising tide
No way of keeping you by my side
Like a bird, I'll fly high
Guarding over this love of mine

Room of trust
A room of fears
A room of laughter with a few sweet tears
There we lay that sunny dawn
Calm but helpless as it lingered on

No way of breaking the march of time
No way of keeping our love sublime
Like a bird, I'll fly high
Watching over this love of mine

Many times we hurry by
Lose our problems in a knowing smile
Many days were swept along
Left unnoticed as our love grew strong

Knowing that each of us would always know
Believing one of us will never go
Like a bird, I'll fly high
Watching over this love of mine