Michaelangelo
band: Michaelangelo
members:
Steve Bohn - guitar, vocals
Robert Gorman - bass, vocals
Michael John Hackett - drums
Angel Petersen - autoharp, vocals
album: One Voice Many
order: debut
released:1971
category:Psychedelic Folk
- West 2:40
- Come To See Me 1:51
- This Bird 3:11
- Son (We've Kept The Room Just The Way You Left It) 4:15
- Medley: Take It Bach / Michaelangelo 5:15
- It's Crying Outside 3:40
- 300 Watt Music Box 2:32
- Okay 1:53
- Half A Tap 2:55
- One Voice Many 6:48
Just found the album today, and I immediately fell in love with the whole idea that one of the main instrument being featured for this Psychedelic Folk band is the autoharp. Its sound is similar to the harpsichord, except the autoharp is a bit softer in sound. There are a few artist that use it, The Carter Family, Joni Mitchell and John Sebastian from Lovin Spoonful. It's heard on their song "Do You Believe In Magic." I really don't know of any band that used the instrument to this extent. Besides using the not-too-familiar Folk instrument, the band incorporate styles from Rock, Folk, Psychedelia, Sunshine Pop, and Country. The guitar is diverse using Country guitar licks, at times has a warm and fuzzy tone, often heard in Progressive Rock.
The Bird is a favorite of mine. The melody of the lyrics are slightly similar to Chad and Jeremy.
Son is a coming of age song about a guy who is is hooked on coke. He's narrating his Prodigal Son story to his mom as if he is reading a letter he wrote to her. Except he is reluctant go home. I guess her response to him would be "Son, we've kept the room just the way you left it." anticipating his return.