Wizards From Kansas - High Flying Bird 1970

This group is primarily known for their devastating version of High Flying Bird. This song is on their only album from 1970 which bears the strong influence of Jefferson Airplanes masterpiece Volunteers (which is also from 1970).

The Wizards from Kansas started off in the late 60s playing festivals alongside other, more well known bands. They have a disc of late 60s outtakes and alternate versions that are trippier and more psych oriented than the above album. It took me a while to get into this album, but I now consider it one of the best San Francisco style acid guitar LPs. As mentioned before, High Flying Bird is radically reworked into a psychedelic tour de force, full of hard distorted guitar and great Airplane-like vocals. The Wizards also do a powerful cover of Codine, which is slow, progressive and tripped out. The originals also hold up, mixing country, psychedelia, folk and rock into a heady brew. Hey Mister and Country Dawn are standout rural rockers, the latter is really one hell of a tune with a classic intro. Mass is a great psychedelic rocker with acid leads that twist inside and out recalling Jerry Garcias guitar style.
Anyone into the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, the Youngbloods or H.P, Lovecraft will really appreciate this great, unknown record. By the way, these guys were from Kansas.
http://therisingstorm.net/wizards-from-kansas-self-titled/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• wizards
• from
• kansas
• high
• flying
• bird
• psychedelic
• 1970

[mesniu]

That smokin' guitarist is one Mr. JP Coffin. He is currently playing regularly in KC with the Kansas City Hitmen, in which I am the other guitarist. Dude is 21 years older than me and has been playing ten years longer than I've been alive. Ben working with him for over 20 years, and no matter how much I improve, he still plays circles around me. The Wizards from Kansas ARE IN THE MIDST of a reunion CD project, marking the 40th anniversary of this album. I can't wait to check it out.

[SweeperMelis]

I am in contact with Mance Roberts via Myspace, he told me in July about the re-unioin. Sounds fab.....

My step dad, sadly deceased, designed that amazing album cover too all those years ago! R I P John Chippindale

[AcidKingFish]

El álbum epónimo de The Wizards Of Kansas es una de las joyas olvidadas de la psicodelia norteamericana que URGE revalorar. En su momento sólo algunos ejemplares fueron prensados, pero no fueron promovidos, debido a que el grupo se desintegró poco despues del lanzamiento de esta gema. Su album rivaliza facilmente con los 2 primeros álbumes de Quicksilver. Las texturas musicales y la perfecta amalgama de country rock y psicodelia ácida hacen de este álbum toda una valiosa experiencia sonora.

[gwgn02]

bitchin

[serengiv]

Hav e this album on vinyl, but reedited.the mixing is amazing with a wall of sound that enlarge the space;It was a truly amazing with strong bass mixing, quiete rare in 1970. Sounded very modern, and is still very impressive. I recommend you, all psychedelics freaks, to listen to the Detroit group SRC, of the same era;Their song, "Black sheep " is on the same vein

[FirstBassman13]

Very nice cover of the great Billy Edd Wheeler song.

[caryzia]

@SweeperMelis A great cover !

[xDroflmao1337]

Apparently my dad had this album on vinyl

[Franco9x]

Where can we find out more about this reunion show and new album. I'll be there in a heart beat! Wizards are the bet band you've never heard of!

[Efrasnel]

Great album! Buy or die.