The Tingling Mother’s Circus - A Circus Of The Mind (Reissue) (1968/2008)

Well, we know they hailed from New York and the original line up included guitar virtuosity Elliot Randall… Signed by Roulette, the band debuted with the 1967 single “Face In My MInd” b/w “Isn’t It Strange (Roulette catalog number 4758). While the single vanished without a trace, it attracted the attention of Musicor Records, which promptly signed them to a contract. Produced by Bob Schwartz, 1968’s “A Circus of the Mind” is best described as an interesting mess. Musically the quintet was clearly trying to find a path between being cool and happenin’ and top-40 commerciality.

Interestingly, while they seldom managed to find that happy median (recalling The Mamas and the Papas with a fuzz guitar up there rectum, “Sunday Kind of Feelin’” was one of the few exceptions), the set has a goofy quality that makes it kind of engaging and worth a couple of spins. Randall had a decent voice and kicked in snippets of tasty fuzz guitar (“New York Mining Disaster 1941″).

In contrast, given vocalist Andrea sounded like Minnie Mouse (check out her performance on the helium propelled “Sky Diver” and “Positively Negative”), one had to assume her inclusion had something to do with physical attributes rather than musical talents. Randall subsequently reappeared as front man for Randall’s Island (see separate entry) and as an in-demand session player. (Bad Cat)