101 Strings
"Astro-Sounds From Beyond The Year 2000"
(Scamp)
It feels like the future is never going to get here, does it? When George Orwell wrote "1984," it probably seemed like he was writing about a period in time that could only be imagined, not actually lived. Anyway, the original liner notes said that 1969's "Astro-Sounds From Beyond The Year 2000" was "the far out sounds of tomorrow's uncharted trip beyond the now generation." While the 101 Strings had previously examined regional oddities like "Soul Of Spain" and "I Love Paris," the orchestra began looking to the future for artistic inspiration as well as the opportunity to make some ready cash. With it's intergalactic go-go dancer on the album cover, this album was a sign of the times (and they were a-changin', that's for sure). Supplementing the string section with a distorted electric guitar, a rocking rhythm section, some sitar-styled improvs and plenty of phase-shifting, the selections on this disc included "Astral Freakout," "Orbit Fantasy," "Where Were You In 1982?" and "Trippin' On Lunar 07." Yes, this middle-class, middle-American pop kitsch was really just a cheesy attempt to capitalize on the country's increasing fascination with all things futuristic and space age. Melding the riff from "Gimmie Some Lovin" with other-worldly-yet-easy-listening orchestral maneuvers, a sixties rock beat and a bit of spacey sound effects, the 101 Strings put out a record that was simultaneously hip and square -- and destined for total obscurity. Akin to a soundtrack of a weird B -- movie from the planet schtick, this CD collection even has a few bonus tracks from the 101 Strings "erotic sessions" (complete with orgasmic moans) that were recorded the following year. This stuff was all just way too corny and it made me think that you can't predict the future. Then I listened to the last cut from the "Astro Sounds" sessions, which was a little ditty called "A Bad Trip Back To '69." Maybe you can predict the future after all.
Tomorrow we'll go back in time once again and examine a record from 1971 called "California '99."
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.