"Heaven Was Blue" - Rick Saucedo (1978 - Rei 2015)
The "Heaven Was Blue" album is one of the more expensive private pressings to own in its original form. It's an acid folk-psych grail for many. Very few exist and are hard to come by. Rick Saucedo was just 20 when he created this DIY psych square. Saucedo, out of Illinois, was already a successful Elvis impersonator and continued his craft for all of his life. However, there is nothing Elvis about "Heaven Was Blue." Rumored to have been inspired by an acid trip, the music is atmospheric and layered with a 60s lysergic compass. Floaty with a mystical flavor.
Diggers of psych will enjoy the first two tracks of side one and the side-long title track on the flip. All are headphone worthy. Unfortunately, the two tracks that end side one really break the spell. The songs are kind of a rock and roll thing that doesn't fit. Not bad for what they are, I suppose, but really out of place. Still, the album is worth picking up for the good stuff.
"Heaven Was Blue" - Rick Saucedo (back)
Favorites include the opening tracks "Reality" and "In My Mind" and the 18-minute "Heaven Was Blue" that takes up all of side two. As for the bonus tracks, "Oh My God" is a nice addition.
According to the hype strip on the front of the album, this is the first "legit" vinyl reissue and is a double LP set on the Guerssen label. It includes six bonus tracks. One is the excellent sitar-dusted "Oh My God" which was supposed to be on the original pressing, but for some reason was left off. The song would have made a good fit. The rest of the bonus tracks are a couple of single versions, a radio remix, and two songs written but never recorded until 1991. The album also included a nice 4-page booklet containing an interview with Rick Saucedo and some detailed liner notes.
4-pg booklet (front and back)
GUERSƧEN label
Cat #
GUESS139
SIDE 1 DEADWAX
128774E1/B 1
SIDE 2 DEADWAX
128774E2/C 1
SIDE 3 DEADWAX
128774E3/B 1
SIDE 4 DEADWAX
128774E4/B
"Reality" - Rick Saucedo / "Heaven Was Blue" (1978)
TRACKS:
A1 "Reality"
A2 "In My Mind"
A3 "Country Shakin' History Makin'"
A4 "Ka Mon We're Gonna Rock All Night Long"
B1 "Heaven Was Blue"
C1 "Oh My God"
C2 "Baby In The Sand / It Burns Again Today"
D1 "Reality" (a-side single version)
D2 "Country Shakin' History Makin'" (b-side single version)
D3 "Reality" (radio mix)
PERSONNEL:
Rick Saucedo - vocals, guitar, bass, drums, piano, synthesizer
J. Lentino - drums (B1)
Jim Johnson - piano (A3)
Peggy Counsell - b-vocals
Satan (Rick's dog) - howling (B1)
Good stuff.
Casey Chambers
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