Originally
released in 1969 on the Maris label, this is the only album the Swiss
band Shiver ever released. It also contains both tracks that were issued
as a single: "Hey Mr. Holy Man"/"The Peddle." It also features the very
first time the famous designer H. R. Giger delivered some of his art to
become an album sleeve. Later on he would do it much more, with
Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Brain Salad Surgery being the most famous
one. Again issued in a thick miniature album sleeve, this rather short
album also contains a full family tree, linking the band with names such
as Toad and Brainticket whose music sometimes is a bit similar. As
happens a lot with recordings from that era, especially the drums sound
overmodulated, which doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this album, as we most
certainly can. The opening instrumental "Repent Walpurgis" reminds of
early Procol Harum or even Ekseption. The sound is very bluesy,
highlighting both Hammond organ and distorted guitar. As also happens a
lot with bands from that era, longer progressive tracks alternate with
shorter, more commercial sounding pieces. Because of the fact that an
equal amount of music had to be spread on both sides of the vinyl album,
some LPs therefore don’t sound logical at all. "What’s Wrong About The
Blues" sounds like thousands of other blues songs from that period:
repetitive and with tons of improvised harmonica playing. A bit in the
tradition of similar projects from that era, "Hey Mr. Holy Man" is a
ballad backed by Hammond organ and choir, whilst someone narrates on top
of it.Because in the sixties most bands performed a lot during dance
events, they also played a lot of covers. Because people who attended
those concerts were familiar with some of those covers, each time such a
band decided to record/release an album they made sure one or more of
those covers graced the album as well. In the case of Shiver they
deliver a rhythmic version of the classic "Don’t Let Me Be
Misunderstood" as performed by the Animals and later on turned into a
huge disco smash hit by Santa Esmeralda. As happens a lot during early
recordings, the sound of the tambourine is a little too shrill as is
heard during "No Time." The album closes with the flip for Shiver’s only
single, the instrumental "The Peddle," which once again is a mean blues
song featuring piano, guitar and, sadly, an organ that is mixed way too
far in the background. Limited edition of 1000 numbered copies. Line-up / Musicians Dany Rühle/guitar,harmonica,vocals Jelly Pastorini/organ,piano Mario Conza/bass,flute,vocals Roger Maurer/drums,vocals Peter Robinson/vocals Discography Walpurgis 1969
1.Repent Walpurgis 2.Ode to the Salvation Army 3.Leave This Man Alone 4.What's Wrong About the Blues 5.Hey Mr. Holy Man 6.Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 7.No Time 8.The Peddle
