BANCHEE

              THINKIN' 

                                                                  USA - POLYDOR - 24 - 4066

FANTASTIC TOP COPY! with original printed inner sleeve

RARE and highly sought after ...Original 1971 first pressing of the much harder to find and superior second and last album by BANCHEE ...This one is a total hard rock extravaganza, with scorching guitar leads virtually omnipresent, some of which feature good wah-wah effects. No psych influences on this one, though, but still utilizing some of those great vocal harmonies that distinguished their first record.

Released two years after their debut, 1971's "Thinkin'" found Banchee signed to Polydor. It also finds the group expanded to a five piece with the addition of singer/percussionist Fernando Roman ... Jimi Hendrix manager Michael Jeffrey is credited as executive producer, the second album finds the band aiming for an even tougher rock sound. Unlike the debut which was a largely democratic project with everyone contributing to the writing chores, this time around singer/rhythm guitarist Jose Miguel deJesus was responsible for the majority of the material (lead guitarist Peter Alongi contributing two tracks). Kicking along by Alomgi's consistant squealing lead guitar (a great headphone LP), some understated Latin percussion, and their "group" lead vocals, songs such as the blazing opener 'John Doe', 'Willya' and the title track made for hard rock that was simultaneously tuneful and accessible. There simply isn't a bad song on the entire album. Overall it's considerably better than many expensive collectible albums of the same style and from the same era. Curiously this album seems to attract a wide range of hardrock & psych collectors (it's listed in one or more of the psych collectors reference books).

Track by track overview:

'John Doe': Opening up with a great guitar riff, with a some nice Latin percussion (courtesy of Roman), a very catchy refrain, and one of Peter Alongi's best guitar solos.
'Willya' was actually a tougher rock song, generating quite a bit of energy, and once again Alongi's guitar performance is sterling.
One of two Peter Alongi compositions, '3/4 Song' found the band into kind of a fusion sound. The title track, 'Thinkin' finds the band moving back to straight ahead hard rock with some nice vocal harmonies and what may be Alongi's best guitar solo. Alongi's second composition, 'Searcher's Life' is the album's most overly accessible track. Built on an incideously catchy guitar riff and showcasing some of de Jesus brightest vocals, it is easy to see why the song was released as a single.
Opening up as a stark ballad, 'Iceberg' gains momentum and power as it goes along. The song also displays nice harmony vocals and yet another dazzling Alongi guitar solo.
While it isn't exactly progressive, 'Children of the Universe' showcased the most LP's most experimental arrangement and sound.
Starting out as a down and dirty rocker, on "38" the band's secret weapons came in the form of drummer Victor Digilio and percussionist Roman. The pair provided a great rhythm foundation for Alongi's squealing guitar. The song's abrupt change in tempo comes as unexpected shock, but the sweet backing harmonies keeps attention and interest with the track returning to its rock base. Nice way to end the album.

CONDITION: The cover: After 43+ years still has bright original colors, rated M- the front and back are unusually extra clean...has only a very tiny and hard to see delete marks at lower right...no cut corners, no bends, no writing and no split seams.

The vinyl: all glossy & shiny clear, a top copy, raetd M- clearly enjoyable & collection worthy considering rarity ... both Polydor labels are clean