V.A. – GAS-S-S-S O.S.T. (1971)

Artist: V.A.
Title: GAS-S-S-S O.S.T.
Year: 1971
Format: LP
Label: American International

The movie is a post-apocalyptic dark comedy, about survivors of an accidental military gas leak, of an experimental agent that kills everyone on Earth over the age of twenty-five. (A cartoon title sequence shows a John Wayne-esque Army General announcing — and denouncing — the “accident”; the story picks up after the victims have died.)

The lead characters, Coel and Cilla, were played by Bob Corff and Elaine Giftos, and the cast features Ben Vereen, Cindy Williams, Bud Cort and Talia Shire (credited as “Tally Coppola”) in early roles. Country Joe McDonald makes an appearance, as spokesman “AM Radio”.

Gas-s-s-s found a fresh airing on late night television in the 1980s, and was recently (2005) issued on DVD, as a double feature with Wild in the Streets, another AIP movie.The soundtrack was produced by Barry Melton of Country Joe & The Fish. (Wikipedia)

Track Listing

1. I’m Looking For A World [Robert Corff]
2. First Time, Last Time [The Gourmet's Delight]
3. Please Don’t Bury My Soul [Robert Corff]
4. Cry A Little [Johnny & The Tornados]
5. Maybe It Really Wasn’t Lovey [Robert Corff]
6. Juke Box Serenade [Johnny & The Tornados]
7. Castles [Johnny & The Tornados]
8. World That We All Dreamed Of [Robert Corff]
9. Today Is Where [The Gourmet's Delight]
10. Don’t Chase Me Around [Robert Corff]
11. The Pueblo Pool [Johnny & The Tornados]
12. Gas Man [Johnny & The Tornados]
13. Got To Get Movin’ [Robert Corff]
14. Bubble Gum Girl [Johnny & The Tornados]
15. This Is The Beginning [Robert Corff]
    

V.A. – Psych-Out O.S.T. [Vinyl] (1968)

Artist: V.A.
Title: Psych-Out O.S.T.
Year: 1968
Format: LP
Label: Sidewalk

The soundtrack LP of the 1968 movie Psych-Out features Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Seeds, Boenzee Cryque, and the Storybook performing a nice selection of psychedelic pop songs. Strawberry Alarm Clock has no otherwise unavailable songs here, except for a shorter edit of “The World’s On Fire”. The album is a great collector’s piece but not strictly necessary apart from that.

Although there are only two SAC songs on the Psych-Out soundtrack album, “The World’s On Fire” (in two forms) and “Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow”, a third song by the band, the sparklingly excellent “Pretty Song From Psych-Out”, is on it, but performed by the Storybook instead of the Clock.

This version is not bad — in fact, it’s basically a note-for-note copy of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s version, which is found on the Wake Up… It’s Tomorrow LP — but of course not as great as the original.

The Psych-Out soundtrack album is usually described as a Strawberry Alarm Clock/Seeds album, but that is a bit of historical revisionism reflecting the greater reknown of those groups; the album in fact focuses on the Storybook, who are mostly unknown otherwise and who have some really great psychedelic music here

The movie may be a psychsploitation flick enabling the producers to make a fast buck, but the music is high quality nonetheless. From such dull origins come great things.

Apparently never released as a CD, original vinyl copies are the only way to hear the Psych-Out soundtrack. They are not particularly common, but it is usually not too difficult to find a copy if you really want one.

I actually recommend it, if for the hilariously blatant (but legally a-ok) “Purple Haze” ripoff called “Ashbury Wednesday” by Boenzee Cryque that is played in the movie by Jack Nicholson’s psychedelic band. (unwindwithsac.com)

Track Listing

1. The Pretty Song From Psych-Out [The Storybook]
2. Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow [The Strawberry Alarm Clock]
3. Two Fingers Pointing On You [The Seeds]
4. Ashbury Wednesday [Boenzee Cryque]
5. The World’s On Fire [The Strawberry Alarm Clock]
6. Psych-Out Sanctorum [The Storybook]
7. Beads Of Innocence [The Storybook]
8. The Love Children [The Storybook]
9. Psych-Out [The Storybook]
10. The World’s On Fire – Long Version [The Strawberry Alarm Clock]
    

Naked Angels – O.S.T. (1969)

Artist: Naked Angels
Title: O.S.T.
Year: 1969
Format: LP
Label: Straight

A superb mix of of acid-inspired hard rock, funky incidental music and studio experimentation, the Naked Angels soundtrack stands up well as an inventive collection of jams and conveys an infectious sense of fun and irreverence throughout.

Originally released on Frank Zappa’s legendary Straight label in 1969, this hard-rocking collection was the first release from future Zappa sideman Jeff Simmons (accompanied here by session guitarist Randy Steirling).

Largely instrumental, it showcases his superb guitar skills to memorable effect, and will delight collectors of rare soundtracks, biker rock fans and Zappa completists alike. (Movie Grooves)

Track Listing

1. Naked Angels Theme
2. Ride Into Vegas
3. Vegas Boogie
4. Vegas Pickup
5. Cop Out
6. First Desert Ride
7. Rank
8. Boinin’ (Third Ride)
9. Scots Breath
10. Rat Grind
11. Bar Dream
12. Camper Scene
13. Toccata For Truck
14. End Theme
    

V.A. – Outlaw Riders O.S.T. (1971)

Artist: V.A.
Title: Outlaw Riders O.S.T.
Year: 1971
Format: LP
Label: MGM

“Outlaw Riders” is a 1971 film that belongs in a time capsule marked Hollywood 1970s derivative biker film. It was produced by Tony Cardoza, who gave us “The Beast of Yucca Flats” and it’s a low-budget mix of “Easy Rider” and “Born Losers.” It’s a motorcycle gang/hippy cliche-fest. The riders spout words like”split,” “make the scene,” “fuzz,” “crash” etc.

Plot involves an outlaw motorcycle gang headed by two couples (Bambi Allan, Jennifer Bishop, Bill Bonner and Bryan West). The gang is badly hurt by a botched robbery and the four stars, the only survivors, eventually head to Mexico, where they have to combat a gang run by a sadistic Mexican (Rafael Campos). Campos is the only “name star” in the film, although he was far away from his better days in “West Side Story.”

The soundtrack which was produced by Michael Lloyd includes performances by Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks, Lenny McDaniel, The Horsemen and Bob Correll. (Doug Gibson)

Track Listing

1. Theme From Outlaw Riders [Lenny McDaniel]
2. Big City Blues [Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks]
3. Nothin’ To Talk About Anymore (Instrumental) [The Horsemen]
4. Where Are You Going [Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks]
5. Ride On Angel [Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks]
6. Which Way [Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks]
7. Nothin’ To Talk About Anymore [Lenny McDaniel]
8. You’Ve Been In [Simon Stokes & The Nighthawks]
9. Waco’s Blue Grass [Bob Correll]
10. Theme From Outlaw Riders (Instrumental) [The Horsemen]
    

V.A. – The Wild Angels O.S.T. (1966)

Artist: V.A.
Title: The Wild Angels O.S.T.
Year: 1966
Format: LP
Label: Tower

The Wild Angels was a cheap 1966 road movie directed by Roger Corman and starring Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Diane Ladd, and Bruce Dern.

The album’s soundtrack captures the rebellious, devil-may-care attitude of its lead characters through rock & roll, surf rock and psychedelia.

Most of it is performed by Davie Allen, but there are also songs by the Visitors and the Hands of Time. For Allen afficianados, Wild Angels is of interest, but only marginally so.

While his songs are worthwhile, they’re not essential and only dedicated fans need to acquire that. Wild Angels is also of interest to listeners in search of ’60s artifacts, because most of this music vividly evokes its time.

It may not have aged particularly well, but its thin production and groovy sounds is certainly a sign of its time. (Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

Track Listing

1. Theme From ‘The Wild Angels’ (Vocal) [The Visitors featuring Barbara[
2. The Chase [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
3. Lonely In The Chapel [The Hands of Time]
4. Bongo Party [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
5. Blue’s Theme [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
6. Theme from The WIld Angels (instrumental) [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
7. Midnight Rider [The Hands of Time]
8. Rockin’ Angel [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
9. The Lonely Rider [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
10. The Unknown Rider [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
11. The Wild Angels Ballad (instrumental) [Davie Allen and the Arrows]
    

V.A. – The Wild Angels Vol. II O.S.T. (1966)

Artist: V.A.
Title: The Wild Angels Vol. II O.S.T.
Year: 1966
Format: LP
Label: Tower

More music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of The Wild Angels

Track Listing

1. Blues Theme [Hands Of Time]
2. The Loser’s Burial [Davie Allan & The Arrows]
3. Wild Orgy [Mike Curb]
4. Losers Lament [Mike Curb]
5. Arriba [Harley Hatcher]
6. Makin’ Love Is Fun [Joe Leahy]
7. The Dark Alley [Davie Allan & The Arrows]
8. Cycle Party [Davie Allan & The Arrows]
9. Wild Angels Chase [Mike Curb]
10. Written-By – Mike Curb
11. The Last Ride [Mike Curb]
    

Wild Wheels – O.S.T. (1969)

Artist: Wild Wheels
Title: O.S.T.
Year: 1969
Format: LP
Label: RCA Victor

A motorcycle gang fights a group of dune buggy enthusiasts for the right to occupy the Pismo Beach area. When the girlfriend of the buggy club’s leader is raped, they retaliate and catch the bikers off guard during a drunken orgy. Graphic violence ensues.

Don Epperson, Robert Dix, Casey Kasem and Terry Stafford are the more memorable names in this forgettable film which originally had an X-rating, but was later edited down to an R. The score was composed by Harley Hatcher. (Dan Pavlides)

Track Listing

1. Sittin’ By The Highway [Don Epperson]
2. Wine, Women And Song [Terry Stafford]
3. I Hear Music [The Thirteenth Committee]
4. I Can’t Blame Myself [Billie And Blue]
5. A Thousand Butterflies [The Three Of August]
6. Holiday Rider [The Saturday Revue]
7. Makin’ Love [The Thirteenth Committee]
8. Night Ride [Terry Stafford]
9. How I Fell For You [Don Epperson]
10. Playin’ Hard To Get [Billie And Blue]
11. Merry Go Round [The Three Of August]
12. Jailer Let Me Go Home [Don Epperson]
13. A Hurt In My Heart [Don Epperson]
    

On Any Sunday – O.S.T. (1971)

Artist: On Any Sunday
Title: O.S.T.
Year: 1971
Format: LP
Label: Bell

Here’s a funky soundtrack from the late sixties on Bell records. On any Sunday featured Steve McQueen in a documentary style movie about motorcycling. The songs range from big band funk to pop sleaze/cheese and even a little spaghetti western tremelo in the mix. (Waxidermy)

Track Listing

1. On Any Sunday Main Title
2. The End Of Love
3. Stretchin’ Out
4. On Any Sunday
5. Sunday Drivin’
6. I Believed
7. Hindsight
8. Messin’ Around
9. Theme For Champions
10. Cross Country
11. Widow Maker
12. On Any Sunday End Title
    

The Original Soundtrack – You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It Or You’ll Lose That Beat (1971)

Artist: The Original Soundtrack
Title: You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It Or You’ll Lose That Beat
Year: 1971
Format: LP
Label: Spark

The film’s editor was none other than future horror auteur Wes Craven). The movie was made in 1968 but was unreleased until 1971, which was the album’s release year; the album was apparently recorded in 1970. The other musicians on the album were Denny Diaz (guitar and percussion) and John Discepolo (drums). The producer was Kenny Vance, whom the duo met while working with Jay & The Americans.

Fittingly for a soundtrack to a low-budget ’60′s movie, the album has a loose and improvisational feel. It sounds less like a Steely Dan album than one by Crosby, Stills and Nash with a jazz pianist. The spacey sound elements that are Steely Dan trademarks are nowhere to be found here.

None of the tracks are bad, but none are special; it took three instrumentals and two versions of the title song to pad the album to its short 31-minute length. Though it may disappoint most fans, the album is painless and sometimes appealing. It should not be considered an early Steely Dan recording, but it is interesting listening for the curious. (rarebird)

Track Listing

1. You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It
2. Flotsam And Jetsam
3. War And Peace
4. Roll Back The Meaning
5. You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It (reprise)
6. Dog Eat Dog
7. Red Giant/White Dwarf
8. If It Rains

Changes – O.S.T. (1969)

Artist: Changes
Title: O.S.T
Year: 1969
Format: LP
Label: Nocturne

This is the soundtrack to the film “Changes” directed by Hall Bartlett who later went on to helm Jonathon Livingston Seagull and The Children Of Sanchez. The movie featured songs by Tim Buckley, Kim Weston, Judy Collins and Neil Young, but when the soundtrack was released, most of the tracks were re-recorded using other vocalists and musicians, probably due to contract disputes, copyright, etc.

Kent (played by Kent Lane who was actually Bartlett’s stepson) is a college-dropout-turned-drifter who travels South from Big Sur down the California coastline. His worried father (Jack Albertson) tries to bridge the ever-widening generation gap with his son, but Kent is born to wander through his life with no apparent sense of direction, searching for something elusive and unknown.

One woman commits suicide after Kent declines her invitation to stay. Michele Carey is Julie, the woman working for a carnival who almost gets our anti-hero to settle down. Soundtrack music is provided by Tim Buckley, Kim Weston (who has a bit part in the film), Judy Collins, Mickey Stevenson and Neil Young. (Dan Pavlides)

Track Listing

1. Opening: Changes [The Nocturne Orchestra]/Wildwood/Young Man/The Father Song [The Chap-Lipp Voices]
2. Both Sides Now [Ralna English]
3. She Is [The Chap-Lipp Voices]
4. The Night Club Scene [The Dirty Old Men]
5. Hobo [Hirth with the Chap-Lipp Voices]
6. Changes [Ralna English]
7. The Long Ride [The Jazzpickers]
8. Expecting To Fly [The Chap-Lipp Voices)/Strip Down [The Dirty Old Men]
9. Once I Was [The Chap-Lipp Voices]
10. Flamenco Girl [The Jazzpickers]