Graham Bond - Holy Magick (Vertigo 1970) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

According to ancient Druidic and Celtic legend, King Arthur will return in this age of Aquarius to sustain us. And man, he's going to blow a mean blues; according to Merlin Bond! Long before the recent spate of black magic involvement by some groups, Graham has been involved in white, or as he prefers to call it - holy magick. In order to help the word and perhaps gain a little more understanding he has devoted his latest album "to the true seekers of light". The lyrics are mainly incantations and chants in Egyptian and Atlantean. Stonehenge is photographed on the sleeve with Graham and his wife Diane Stewart raising their arms in supplication. If you can't take the magick however, there is a lot of wailing music to enjoy. Graham sings with his usual pre-Joe Cocker intensity, and plays organ, piano and sax. Keith Bailey is a storm on drums, and other musicians involved are Victor Brox, Rick Gretch, Big Pete Bailey, Aliki Ashman, John Gross, Alex Dmochowski, Godfrey McLean and John Morsehead. They are at their best on slow tempo blues like "The Judgement". And even if you don't want an astral temple constructed around you, playing side one, should help contact the "higher forces", according to Bond. At least we can invent a new category - Rockult! Chris Welch, Melody Maker, 2nd January 1971.

Track listing:

Side one
01. Meditation – Aumgn, The Qabalistic Cross, The Word Of The Aeon, Invocation To The Light, The Pentagram Ritual, Qabalistic Cross, Hymn Of Praise, 12 Gates To The City, The Holy Words - Iao Sabao (Those Are The Words), Aquarius Mantra (In Egyptian), Enochian (Atlantean) Call - Abrahadabra - The Word Of The Aeon, Praise ''City Of Light'', The Qabalistic Cross – Aumgn

Side two
02. Return of Arthur
03. The Magician
04. The Judgement
05. My Archangel Mikael

Personnel:

Side one:
Graham Bond, acoustic & electric alto sax, vocals
Victor Brox, piano, Tibetan dhong, pocket cornet, euphonium & vocals
Rick Gretch, bass guitar
Kevin Stacey, guitar
Diane Stewart, vocals & gong
Big Pete Bailey, percussion
Aliki Ashman, vocals
John Gross, tenor sax
Keith Bailey, drums
Alex Dmochowski bass guitar

Side two:
Graham Bond, vocals, organ, piano
Victor Brox, vocals, electric piano, piano
Alex Dmochowski, bass guitar
Steve York, bass guitar on ‘Archangel Mikael’
Godfrey McLean, drums
Keith Bailey, drums on ‘Archangel Mikael’
John Morsehead, guitar
Kevin Stacey, guitar on ‘Archangel Mikael’
Big Pete Bailey, percussion
John Gross, tenor sax
Jerry Salisbury, cornet
Diane Stewart & Annette Brox, vocals