An Alternative Look at The 1960's

TheCellarTapes · 11-14-2009, 12:40 PM

We The People - Declaration of Independence
(1983)

Tracks

1 Declaration of Independence 2:23
2 (You Are) The Color of Love 2:29
3 In the Past 2:38
4 Free Information 2:26
5 Alfred, What Kind of Man Are You 2:35
6 By the Rule 2:08
7 Half of Wednesday 2:18
8 My Brother, the Man 2:11
9 Too Much Noise 2:29
10 He Doesn't Go About It Right 2:34
11 St. John's Shop 2:26
12 You Burn Me Up and Down 2:25
13 Mirror of Your Mind 2:52
14 Beginning of the End 1:55

Over recent years a band has kept rearing its head above the parapet of acknowledgement, trying to muscle in on the world established by Nuggets in the early seventies. It is fairly accepted, particularly with the listenership of The Cellar Tapes, that bands like The Sonics and The Standells, although relatively unknown, are brilliant acts that suit the obscure world, but some acts remain hidden, even from the world of the obscure. One such band banging on this door is a garage outfit from Florida called We The People.

This drive for recognition began in 1983 with the release of Declaration of Independence, the first retrospective look at We The People’s work between 1966 and 1968, some 15 years after the band called it a day. Back in that day, We The People were quite an exciting act, young and dynamic. They were even signed to RCA at one point, but despite some regional hits, they never gained a national audience, meaning that no one took a punt and sanctioned a We The People album. Most definitely a missed opportunity if ever there was one.

The driving force behind the band was a song-writing partnership of the highest order, almost on par with anything else in America at the time. Wayne Proctor on lead and vocals also happened to be a pretty proficient guitarist, along with his co-writer, bassist Tommy Talton, the band can not only release a compilation with 100% original material, but also serve up a set of songs varied in their feel and charm.

The highlights on this album are many but there really are some beyond exceptional tracks here also, for starters there is In The Past, with one of the most hypnotic guitar riffs heard by man, this song in itself is surprising because this band is capable of even more endeavours. With songs like Mirror on Your Mind and You Burn Me Up and Down, We The People demonstrate they can also dish up a fuzz filled treat and punch a note with the best of them. God help us, this band can even do ballads.

It’s also important to raise the point that although this ’83 compilation is the first retrospective look at We The People’s work from the 1960’s, it should certainly not be considered the definitive. The reason why I am reviewing this version is because I am a fan of the band and this is merely the copy I own. To be frank, the linear notes are pretty poor, the pictures non existent and you can be forgiven in thinking it’s just a bootleg, actually maybe mine is, who knows! However the good people at Sundazed Records have had a go at repackaging this band over the years, firstly in 1998 with Mirror of Our Minds, and recently in 2008 with Too Much Noise. Although I have not seen these efforts, on past form and reputation alone, I have little doubt that Sundazed may have done a better job.

But back to the music, for whatever reason We The People never released an original album in the sixties, whereas lesser acts, minus the talent and certainly minus the sophistication, did manage to achieve such a thing. Regardless of this fact, We The People have over time become quite the cult band from the garage scene of 1960’s America, proving once and for all its very difficult to argue with quality. Whichever compilation you decide to buy containing the works of We The People, if you think of yourself as a fan of all those classic US Garage bands, I can guarantee you will not be too disappointed with your purchase.

11-14-2009, 12:40 PM	#22 (permalink)
TheCellarTapes Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 490	We The People - Declaration of Independence (1983) Tracks 1 Declaration of Independence 2:23 2 (You Are) The Color of Love 2:29 3 In the Past 2:38 4 Free Information 2:26 5 Alfred, What Kind of Man Are You 2:35 6 By the Rule 2:08 7 Half of Wednesday 2:18 8 My Brother, the Man 2:11 9 Too Much Noise 2:29 10 He Doesn't Go About It Right 2:34 11 St. John's Shop 2:26 12 You Burn Me Up and Down 2:25 13 Mirror of Your Mind 2:52 14 Beginning of the End 1:55 Over recent years a band has kept rearing its head above the parapet of acknowledgement, trying to muscle in on the world established by Nuggets in the early seventies. It is fairly accepted, particularly with the listenership of The Cellar Tapes, that bands like The Sonics and The Standells, although relatively unknown, are brilliant acts that suit the obscure world, but some acts remain hidden, even from the world of the obscure. One such band banging on this door is a garage outfit from Florida called We The People. This drive for recognition began in 1983 with the release of Declaration of Independence, the first retrospective look at We The People’s work between 1966 and 1968, some 15 years after the band called it a day. Back in that day, We The People were quite an exciting act, young and dynamic. They were even signed to RCA at one point, but despite some regional hits, they never gained a national audience, meaning that no one took a punt and sanctioned a We The People album. Most definitely a missed opportunity if ever there was one. The driving force behind the band was a song-writing partnership of the highest order, almost on par with anything else in America at the time. Wayne Proctor on lead and vocals also happened to be a pretty proficient guitarist, along with his co-writer, bassist Tommy Talton, the band can not only release a compilation with 100% original material, but also serve up a set of songs varied in their feel and charm. The highlights on this album are many but there really are some beyond exceptional tracks here also, for starters there is In The Past, with one of the most hypnotic guitar riffs heard by man, this song in itself is surprising because this band is capable of even more endeavours. With songs like Mirror on Your Mind and You Burn Me Up and Down, We The People demonstrate they can also dish up a fuzz filled treat and punch a note with the best of them. God help us, this band can even do ballads. It’s also important to raise the point that although this ’83 compilation is the first retrospective look at We The People’s work from the 1960’s, it should certainly not be considered the definitive. The reason why I am reviewing this version is because I am a fan of the band and this is merely the copy I own. To be frank, the linear notes are pretty poor, the pictures non existent and you can be forgiven in thinking it’s just a bootleg, actually maybe mine is, who knows! However the good people at Sundazed Records have had a go at repackaging this band over the years, firstly in 1998 with Mirror of Our Minds, and recently in 2008 with Too Much Noise. Although I have not seen these efforts, on past form and reputation alone, I have little doubt that Sundazed may have done a better job. But back to the music, for whatever reason We The People never released an original album in the sixties, whereas lesser acts, minus the talent and certainly minus the sophistication, did manage to achieve such a thing. Regardless of this fact, We The People have over time become quite the cult band from the garage scene of 1960’s America, proving once and for all its very difficult to argue with quality. Whichever compilation you decide to buy containing the works of We The People, if you think of yourself as a fan of all those classic US Garage bands, I can guarantee you will not be too disappointed with your purchase.