Release of an Oath

Last updated
Release of an Oath
ReleaseOfAnOath.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1968 (1968-11)
Recorded1968
Genre Psychedelic rock
Length24:56
Label Reprise
Producer David Hassinger
The Electric Prunes chronology
Mass in F Minor
(1968)
Release of an Oath
(1968)
Just Good Old Rock and Roll
(1969)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

Release of an Oath is the fourth studio album credited to The Electric Prunes, released in 1968. It was composed and arranged by David Axelrod, and band members played little part in its recording. The work follows the musical pattern of their Mass in F Minor , also composed by Axelrod. [3]

Contents

The liner notes describe the album as a rock music setting of a service intended to release a penitent from an oath "made under duress and in violation of his principles". It is subtitled "The Kol Nidre - a prayer of antiquity", and is often referred to simply as "The Kol Nidre". The actual Kol Nidre declaration, on which the first track is based, begins the order of service of Yom Kippur in the yearly cycle of Jewish religious observance.

Despite the subtitle and popular name, the remaining tracks of the album are based on a mix of Christian and Jewish liturgies.

Personnel

Although credited to the Electric Prunes, the album is largely the work of composer and producer David Axelrod and a group of session musicians. The rights to the name "The Electric Prunes" were owned by producer David Hassinger, who was encouraged by the success of the previous album, Mass in F Minor , also written and arranged by Axelrod but issued as by the Electric Prunes, to assemble a new line-up of the band. He found an existing Colorado group, Climax, who formed the basis of the "new" Electric Prunes. The line-up included Climax members Richard Whetstone (vocals, guitar), John Herron (organ), and Mark Kincaid (guitar), with Brett Wade (bass guitar). [4] With the group restructured, Axelrod composed all the material for the album, centering it around the Jewish prayer, Kol Nidre. The album, titled Release of an Oath, used several session musicians including Howard Roberts, Carol Kaye, Don Randi and Earl Palmer, and saw Whetstone as the only band member to contribute to the recordings.

Personnel included:

Track listing

All tracks composed by David Axelrod.

Side one

  1. "Kol Nidre" 4:14
  2. "Holy Are You" 4:05
  3. "General Confessional" 4:15

Side two

  1. "Individual Confessional" 2:10
  2. "Our Father, Our King" 3:10
  3. "The Adoration" 3:48
  4. "Closing Hymn" 2:53

Influence

“General Confessional” was used on The Beatnuts’ 1997 album Stone Crazy , on the track "Niggaz Know". [3]

"Holy Are You" was sampled in the track "Take Your Partner by the Hand" by Howie B and Robbie Robertson, [5] "Return of the Loop Digga" by Quasimoto on his 2000 debut album The Unseen , the Rakim song "Holy Are You" from the 2009 album The Seventh Seal , and several other songs. [6]

"The Adoration" was sampled in the MF DOOM track "Kookies" off a re-release of the 2004 album Mm..Food. [7]

Related Research Articles

Kol Nidre is a Hebrew and Aramaic declaration which is recited in the synagogue before the beginning of the evening service on the night of Yom Kippur. Strictly speaking, it is not a prayer, even though it is commonly spoken of as if it were a prayer. This declaration and its ceremonial accompaniment have been charged with emotional undertones since the medieval period, creating a dramatic introduction to Yom Kippur on what is often dubbed "Kol Nidrei night", with the entire Yom Kippur evening service popularly called Kol Nidrei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Electric Prunes</span> American psychedelic rock band

The Electric Prunes are an American psychedelic rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. Much of the band's music was, as music historian Richie Unterberger described it, possessed of "an eerie and sometimes anguished ambiance." Their most successful material was by songwriters Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz, though the group also penned their own songs. Incorporating psychedelia and elements of embryonic electronic rock, the band's sound was marked by innovative recording techniques with fuzz-toned guitars and oscillating sound effects. In addition, guitarist Ken Williams' and singer James Lowe's concept of "free-form garage music" provided the band with a richer sonic palette and exploratory lyrical structure than many of their contemporaries.

<i>Mass in F Minor</i> 1968 studio album by The Electric Prunes

Mass in F Minor is the third studio album by American rock band The Electric Prunes, released in 1968. It consists of a musical setting of the mass sung in Latin and Greek and arranged in the psychedelic style of the band, and was written and arranged by David Axelrod.

<i>Easy Rider</i> (soundtrack) 1969 soundtrack album by Various artists

Easy Rider is the soundtrack to the cult classic 1969 film Easy Rider. The songs that make up the soundtrack were carefully selected to form a "musical commentary" within the film. The album of the soundtrack was released by ABC-Dunhill Records in August 1969. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard album charts in September of that year, and was certified gold in January 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Axelrod (musician)</span> American musician, record producer, composer and arranger

David Axelrod was an American composer, arranger, and producer. After starting out as a staff producer for record companies specializing in jazz, Axelrod became known by the mid-1960s in soul and jazz circles for his recording skills. In 1968, Axelrod embarked on a solo career and released several albums during the 1970s that showcased his characteristic sound, which combined heavily microphoned drums and baroque orchestration, and avant garde themes ranging from the environment to heightened mental awareness.

<i>Song of Innocence</i> 1968 studio album by David Axelrod

Song of Innocence is the debut album by American composer and producer David Axelrod. It was released in October 1968 by Capitol Records. In an effort to capitalize on the experimental climate of popular music at the time, Axelrod composed the album as a suite-like tone poem interpreting Songs of Innocence, a 1789 illustrated collection of poems by William Blake. Recording took place at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles with an orchestra and studio musicians from the Wrecking Crew collective, including keyboardist and conductor Don Randi, guitarist Al Casey, bassist Carol Kaye, and drummer Earl Palmer.

<i>Underground</i> (The Electric Prunes album) 1967 studio album by The Electric Prunes

Underground is the second studio album by the American garage rock band, The Electric Prunes, and was released in 1967 on Reprise Records. It would be the final album of any materialized input by band members until the 1969 "New Improved" Electric Prunes were formed. The album was a moderate chart hit, but, without a hit-ready single, the band could not repeat their past success.

<i>Just Good Old Rock and Roll</i> 1969 studio album by The Electric Prunes

Just Good Old Rock and Roll is the fifth studio album by The Electric Prunes, released in 1969. It was recorded with a lineup put together by Wilson-Fisher management for David Hassinger, who owned the name, during a period in which the original group was disbanded. This album took the Prunes' music decidedly away from the previous experimentation and underground psychedelia into more driving rock music. While there are elements of mild psychedelia present, the group's new direction pointed towards the boogie-rock that would be further developed in the 1970s by bands such as The James Gang, Cactus and Foghat.

<i>War Zone</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Black Moon

War Zone is the second album by American hip hop trio Black Moon. It was released on February 23, 1999, through Duck Down/Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York City. Production was entirely handled by Da Beatminerz, who also served as executive producers together with Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman and member Buckshot. It features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Heather B., Louieville Sluggah, M.O.P., Q-Tip, Rock, Smif-N-Wessun and Teflon. The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200 and number 9 on the Top R&B Albums. It was supported by two singles: "Two Turntables & a Mic" and "Worldwind (Remix)".

"Good to My Baby" is a song composed by Brian Wilson with words by Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys.

<i>The Electric Prunes</i> (album) 1967 studio album by The Electric Prunes

The Electric Prunes, sometimes referred to as I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), is the 1967 debut album by the American garage rock band, the Electric Prunes, released on Reprise Records. The first track, "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)", was a hit and became the band's signature tune. The album also contains another notable psychedelic rock composition, "Get Me to the World on Time". The album was listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

"Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home" is the opening track on the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai's 1997 debut album, Mogwai Young Team. It was primarily composed by the band's bassist, Dominic Aitchison, prior to the 1997 Mogwai Young Team recording sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Haycock</span> Musical artist

Peter John Haycock was an English musician and film score composer. He began his career as lead guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the Climax Blues Band.

<i>Brasswind</i> 1974 studio album by Gene Ammons

Brasswind is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in late 1973 and early 1974 and released on the Prestige label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Astronauts (band)</span> American surf music band

The Astronauts was an American rock band, which had a minor hit in 1963 with "Baja" and remained successful for several years, especially in Japan. They have been described as being, "along with...(the) Trashmen, the premier landlocked Midwestern surf group of the '60s." For most of their career, the band members were Rich Fifield, Jon "Storm" Patterson, Bob Demmon, Dennis Lindsey, and Jim Gallagher.

<i>Songs of Experience</i> (David Axelrod album) 1969 studio album by David Axelrod

Songs of Experience is the second studio album by American composer and producer David Axelrod. It was released in October 1969 by Capitol Records. Axelrod composed, arranged, and produced the album while recording with session musicians such as guitarist Al Casey, bassist Carol Kaye, drummer Earl Palmer, and conductor Don Randi.

"Take Your Partner by the Hand" is a 1998 song by Howie B featuring Robbie Robertson. It samples The Electric Prunes' "Holy Are You".

<i>Seriously Deep</i> 1975 studio album by David Axelrod

Seriously Deep is an album by of compositions by David Axelrod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Me to the World on Time</span> 1967 single by The Electric Prunes

"Get Me to the World on Time" is a song written by Annette Tucker and Jill Jones for the American garage rock band, The Electric Prunes. The song was released in May 1967 following the success of the band's previous single, "I Had Too Much to Dream ". Although the follow-up did not have the same success, "Get Me to the World on Time" still charted at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also fared slightly better in the UK, where it reached number 42.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Lowe (musician)</span> American musician and record producer

Thaddeus James Lowe is an American musician and record producer, best known as the lead singer of 1960s psychedelic rock band The Electric Prunes and as an audio engineer and producer with Todd Rundgren and the band Sparks.

References

  1. Release of an Oath at AllMusic
  2. Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 918. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. 1 2 Mudhaffer, Zaid (20 January 2014). "Heavy Axe: A Guide to David Axelrod". Red Bull Music Academy.
  4. "How musicians in a Colorado band named Climax morphs into The Electric Prunes". damprock.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  5. Turn the Dark Off (booklet). Howie B. Polydor Records. 1997.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. "Samples of Holy Are You by The Electric Prunes". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  7. "The Adoration by The Electric Prunes - Samples, Covers, and Remixes". WhoSampled.