LRD is the psychedelic music lovers best (un)kept secret. Cable Hogue was assembled by singer and
axe man Mizutani back in the 90s to accompany a video of same name.
Looking at the tracklist is peculiar, because many songs are
repeated, and while I'm not sure of what venue goes with which
recording, it makes no difference because all versions of said tracks, (especially "Night
of the Assassins" on disc 2) have their own merit; one being a
softer, though quicker paced version (and clearer, for what it
matters), and the other being a sweaty bar-room rocker with that does
almost away with the romping, ripped off rhythm section during the
guitar parts, and then goes barebones behind Mizutani when his vocals
do pick up, the bassist lagging behind when he feels like it. There are also other great tracks here including a
scorcher of a version of "The Last One" that feeds back
until forever and still only takes 25 minutes of your Earth-time with
its decending, chugging rhythm section and saucerspinning guitar
feedback. Most notable to me is how Mizutani introduces the band on
this set. The opening track is nigh unlistenable; a collage of
instruments falling onto each other, begging you to push past (all
the other versions of this song on here are better), arriving at a
pair of tracks that show a softer side of Rallizes. Track 2, this
time called "FallIn Love With", though also known as
"Romance of the Black Grief," and about two other titles,
is a space-rock fantasy piece that relaxes you with its drone and amp
buzz until you're just about numb, never leaving its trotting pace.
The next track, also having a sister on the second disc, is "White
Awakening," (sometimes refered to as "White Walking")
again softer than even the preceding track, grounding you with it's
initial drum fill until it's last note, leaving you surrounded by
smoke from the Ether itself; this is music made almost tangible, with
reality feeling a bit more dull after having lived through the sounds
of Mizutani and his axe, strings soaking with Hendrixian LSD and
sweat. The result works better than drugs.
Decembers Black Children evokes the idea that every playthrough for this band was a exercise in what jazz musicians would say is a work out in the Shed. Each subsequent release from this band seemed to eclipse the last, showcase something new and different, and while I think this release came out in the late 80s, no real info is available other than noting it wasn't released on any label. So what are out there, bootlegs? Mizutani doing it for love or cash? More mystery from the eye-dropper of a band that was Rallizes. The blues takes on "Flames of Ice" on this set, and treats it like a slow-burning cigarette instead of a squat thrust work-out like on future releases. Both versions of "Deeper than the Night" here are rocking-chair porch blues versions, and have Mizutani's vocals mixed in a way actual words can be made out. The version of "Night of the Assassins" that finishes up disc 1 is quick and to the point, taking only 12 minutes to make it's point, an almost Richie Blackmore-type swell in some of the guitar riffs here.
Julian Copes review of this release in Japrocksampler says that the album says disc 2 starts with "Night Assassins" but really commences with all 19 minutes of the band's 1960s track,"Smokin' Cigarette Blues". I've found neither to be true, weirdly enough. What I have is a jazz-lounge version of "Enter the Mirror," complete with emotive (and even restrained) soloing from Mizutani, capping at only 5 minutes. Following that is two of the most blissful recordings of staple tracks in the band's decades long career. The sixteen minutes of "White Awakening" here brings to mind the one on Cable, but eschews direction for length, Mizutani's lips hissing and fingers probably bleeding from the performance—but it's only a warm-up! The 13 minutes of "Enter the Mirror" that follow rise like a tide, crashing and piercing through what ear drum you do have left, both blissful and scalding in turn, this version turns out better than even the famed Live 77 version, in its early moments as much obscured by the clouds as it is riding a-top and leaving a trail of its own accord, the band members vapor signatures collectively reacting at just the right moments. It's a wonderful thing this was captured on tape, as hearing it is like sitting in on Bob Calvert's space ritual as Sunday mass for plastic-mind melting fools like us. Almost scientific in it's execution though generative to the point of changing with repeated listens. The set closes with Mizutani flogging through another version of "The Last One". Essential stuff.
