The related singles are not worth to trace musically. It contains some garage rock from Sky Saxon, but "There's nothing from his most Yod-like solo release, "Lover's Cosmic Voyage"." B.Coley All singles were released under the names of "World Peace Band", "Sky Saxon Sunflower Dragon Slayers" with "the Bangles Vicky and Debbie", or with "The Lamed",or by "Hale Sunlight Wings White Magick + Being Poor", or by "the Universal Stars Band" (CD released as related singles, CTCD-141) Unreleased materials was released as disc 13 from Captain Trip Records, CTCD-142, all by Fire, Water and Air, "largely mainstream rockoid material... plus a Saxon rap about being nice to dogs.*" * idiot hippie talk in fact. Quite OK is an earlier Yahowa track without the master from "Penetration". Tr.9, "Sky Sunlight Saxon speaking to the Earth Aquarian Family" 5 min This track, from the most loyal follower, telling about the music which I played, is a good track to end with, giving a perpsective overview but shows also how much respect as well as naivity Yahowa left behind. All quoted parts from Byron Coley, came from an article with review of the 13 CD box of Yahowa 13, which first appeared in The Wire magazine issue 180 February 1999. These quotes are reproduced by permission. Link to The Wire magazine : www.thewire.co.uk. An interview with Yahowa members can be found at http://www.furious.com/perfect/yahowa13.html Unreleased albums will come out soon at http://www.coda-records.com/news.html I started a page with some filosophical remarks about some concepts related with Yahowa : "As above, so below, New Order of the Ages", the number 13 in a group, the oncept of the guru, and the principle of "I am God", which I will later review better at a page about Salvador Dali's opera "Être Dieu". (I lost the original study of it before because of a virus computer crash, so I might need some time to reconstruct this). These remarks are published in a seperate Yahowa's concepts - remarks page Thank you J.W. for borrowing the full collection box. Another tribal psychedelic music sage like figure is Wulf Zendik Another curiosum sage like figure is Moondog Later the tribal commune group Cromagnon will have a seperate page too. Go back to the Main index 10. Fire, Water, Air is Djinn, Arelich,Pythias, Octavius, Sunflower : Golden Sunrise with Sky Saxon & Ya Ho Wa 13 Emerald Light ELR-84510 /1977 Higher Key Records 006 (CD) Yahowa collection disc 10 Captain Trip CTCD-139* "Then, on 25 August 1975, Yahowa went hang gliding for the first time in his life. His maiden flight was short. He landed badly and broke his back. He refused medication, relying instead on massages and salt packs, which kept him alive for all of nine hours. Following his instructions, the family gave his body an anema, lit insence and chanted three days before they called the authorities to remove the heat bloated corpse. A rumour persists that Yahowa was stuffed and mounted in a corner of the family's Hawaiian homestead. More likely he was cremated. After his death The Source splintered, but the musicians of Yahowa 13 renamed themselves Fire, Water, Air (possibly what Yahowa means in astrological terms). In 1977 they released an eight track cartridge "Golden Sunrise" continuing Yod's legacy. It's hard to tell whether its weird effects are intentional, or whether the tape recorder was just out of phase. But when Sky Sunlight Saxon*, an acolyte since 1969 makes his first appearance midway through, the session takes off. The extended psych jams are a perfect match for Sky's boiling word gush, and the results are transportational in the extreme." Bryan Coley ° he used equipment not strong enough for his weight. * later famous in The Seeds I especially like the Neil Young like American native Indian in favour song "Across the prairie". "Celebration" is a far out Hare Krisjna like celebration in a distance. Tr.9, "Across the prairie" 5 min 11. Yodship Private pressing / Father Yahowa collection disc 11 Captain Trip CTCD-140* Infinity driven hippie folk in memory of Yahowa, with its moments. "The mysterious "Yodship" in the late 70's by unnamed family members, features two untitled suites in praise of Yod, which are eerily remniscent of music by other cults, like the Manson Family, The Jonestown Choir, Spirit in the Flesh, Sun Ra's Arkestra etc. The funaral rite for a dream, its edge of depressive menace gives it a very high rate on the loner folk-psych scale." B.Coley In some way it's like music from Yahowa's mourning sheep, from children crying for their father" I wonder now if a great personality replacing the Power of Father could provide adultery to any followers when such person disappears and with him his power to concentrate renewing inventive creation. Can a leadership, not only for the moment of its creation, could ever provide spiritual adultery for worshippers of creative energy after a process of chance shortly occuring ? Tr.1, suite 1, -600 Tr.2, suite 2, 931-1119 RELATED SINGLES : 7. Yahowa 13 : Penetration : An Aquarian Symphony Higher Key Records 3307 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 7 Captain Trip CTCD-136****° This and following album are back to improvisation, but this time heading towards a more professional electric psychedelic improvisational sound. Starts quietly, builds up a tension, creates odd moods by using strange improvised noises. There's some eastern like improvisation in the guitar playing at the first track with weird American native like singing and nice distorted guitar effects. Third track is a weirdness like Algärnas Trädgard's first album. Last track starts with whistling. Unique, with some purity and balance between improvisation/ creating sounds and structured tension, expressing a (spiritual) content. Recommended. Tr.1, "Yod He Vau He" 830 (or a bit longer) Tr.4, "Ya Ho Wha" 240-14 4. Father Yod and the Spirit of '76 : All or nothing at all. Higher Key Records 3304 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 4 Captain Trip CTCD-133 "Late ass hippy makeout crud. ... B.C. Father Yod only blows the horn on the cover but does not participate on this lame album. The only noteworthy track is the bonus track "The Great Woe". "It wiggles with enough lopside mania to sound like a coed version of The Godz' "Quack (I am a quack). Around this time Father Yod changed his name into Yahoweh or Yahowah, depending on who's spelling the story, and decreed that his family could wear coloured clothes." Byron Coley Tr.14, "The Great Woe" 3 5. Yahowa 13 : Yahowa 13 Higher Key Records 3305 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 5 Captain Trip CTCD-134° Very different in style. One simple bluesrocksong, a lame Elvis reminding pop song, an improvisational like low pop and a poprock song, all not worth so much mentioning. Keeping the improvisational style short to song zize doesn't make songs like "kind of depressing" so enjoyable. Also the next bluesy improvisational songs can't make it good for me. Only the song "Pain" is slightly better, still not making this album for me worth enough tracing it. 6. Yahowa 13 : Savage sons of Yahowa 13 Higher Key Records 3306 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 6 Captain Trip CTCD-135**° This is West Coast styled rock. "If early Crazy Horse had been deranged by fruit juice, they might have sounded like this. Electron's fried Screamin' Jay Hawkins* vocalize on "Fire In The Sky" is particularly evocative of a bad trip. "Oh Ya Ho Wa" in particular, is a stand out of blues punk genius°." Byron Coley * some might be reminded at Captain Beefheart. ° a bit primitive punk/garage like I would say. "Red River Valley" reminds a bit at (Crosby, Stills, Nash and) Neil Young. Tr.2, "Fire in the Sky" 5 3. Father Yod and the Spirit of '76 : Expansion Higher Key Records 3303 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 3 Captain Trip CTCD-132***°° Starts as Van Morrison on Acid like singing, with piano, organ, drums (by JJ Light, the Native American protégé of the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's Bob Markley). Odd and in moments stretched, with weird electric guitar solos. Also, quite passages with Pink Floyd like mood (piano and organ,..). An abnormality for its first side, but beautiful unique psychedelic weirdness at side 2, with flute, weird whistling, beautiful backing voice noises. And Father Yod who goes out of his mind again. Crazy electric guitar/piano accompanies the most weird moments. This side is very crazy, but still structured from within. Recommended for its highlighting power. Tr.1, 1500-1743 Tr.2, 17 9. Yahowa 13 : To the principles, for the children. Higher Key Records 3309 / 1974-1975 Yahowa collection disc 9 Captain Trip CTCD-138* "At the end of 1974 The Source sold their restaurant and moved to Hawaii. There they went looking for paradise only to encounter hostile locals, who were reluctant to rent out a pad for Yahowa and his 13 wives, forcing them to temporarily retreat to Northern California. But they eventually reconfigured themselves and returned to Hawaii for a final fractious stand. "To the Principles, for the children" dates from this period and the tension shows. Its two long tracks are broken into untitled fragments, one of them an ode to "woman power" worthy of Helen Reddy. More frequently Yahowa locks into heaven chant mode, surrounded by instrumental rings that recall The Magic Band of "Abba Zabba". Very possibly, this album explains a great deal of the Father's philosophy-that is, if you can make out the words, of which there are many. By way of compensation the ensemble seamlessly blends effects and percussion, and when the kids'chorus of "Yahowa" starts up at the end you'll know you've already been somewhere." Byron Coley A more personalised painfully vulnerable album style of songs. Odd. Musically not always that interesting, but charming at some points within its fragmented nature. Tr.1, 526-804 Tr.2, 234 3 Tr.2, 759-1032 8. Yahowa 13 : I'm gone take you home Higher Key Records 3308 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 8 Captain Trip CTCD-137***** Originally a double LP. Great electric guitar playing. This is Yahowa's group at its best, and my favourite album. Yahowa plays the big drum (smoothly changing the rhythm at one point),screams a bit savage-like. Recommended. "Five long, untitled tracks of flipped guitar psych represent their most thorough integration of vocals and music. At its best, Yahowa's vocals incorporate all the sounds of a barnyard revolution while the guitarist destroys himself" B.Coley The Higher Key CD reissue its cover is a bit more clearly printed. Some might take the cover very serius. I personally think it's very funny, with some humour (see next back cover to confirm this). The cover quotes : On the front : "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse ; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed" Song of Solomon ch.4, V12 "Woman was God's first creation, in order to express the great love within him. God then creates within his creation a vehicle to use, whenever he chooses to appear" Yahowa On the back : "And call no man your father opun the earth : for one is your father which is in heaven" bible "..still, when the need is great, do I appear in my own universe, and am therefore born into the world by my power of thought and will" Gita In the inner sleeve : "And there was the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month..and there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it ; and his servants shall serve him." Revelations ch.22,v.2-3 "Divine communion time is here little kitties" Yahowa (licensed to give life) Tr.2, -444..or a bit longer Tr.3, 6 min Tr.4, 15 min Tr.5,118 [3d album, 1974 : CD version] [picture on back of CD] [LP version reisue ; 500 copies on Swordfish front] [LP version reisue ; 500 copies on Swordfish back] [Image] [Image] YAHOWA : THE STORY, THE RADIOPROGRAM, CHRONICALLY WITH DISCOGRAPHY "In 1969 To Baker, a middle aged follower of the Yogi Bhajan a Kundalini yoga master and health food prophet who came to the US on the heels of the Maharashi. When Bhajan declared that he was not God, Baker assumed the mantle himself. He gathered a group of acolytes who became known as The Source and opened a health food restaurant, The Aware Inn, in Hollywood's Laurel Canyon. Eventually dubbed Father Yod (later changed to Yahowa), Baker espoused a philosophy dictating kindness to animals, a rw fruit and vegetable diet, wearing the white cotton clothes, and sex without orgasm. Apocryphal stories about The Source's practices abound. The most persistent was based on the similarity of the spelling between god and dog. Among the faithful who toiled at the Aware Inn were a number of musicians, whose talents Yod enlisted when the tapes began spooling." Byron Coley (from review in the Wire : see note at the end) DISCOGRAPHY : 1. Father Yod and the Spirit of '76 : Kohoutek Higher Key Records 3301 / 1973 Yahowa collection disc 1 Captain Trip CTCD-130 *** A little bit "incredible strange" or over the top of odd singing vocals, not always with the best voice in an improvisational manner (piano, electric guitar, el. bass, voice, backing female vocals). Liner notes : "Kohoutek is an energy. Scientists estimate that its radiance will excel Haley's Comet 50 times, its head to be 100,000 miles in diameter, and its tail to span 100,000,000 miles in space. It will not appear again they say for another 80,000 years. Man in his history and myth has long associated the comet with the ominous power of the unknown. He has learned that they bring changes. Life after their fiery visitation is never quite the same. What is Kohoutek ? Why is it coming ? What will it bring ? The mystery of "K houtek" is explored in spontaneous music, sound and song on Higher Key Record's first release by Father Yod and The Spirit of '76'. Don't stay in the dark Kohoutek is for you." PS. The text of "I am God, I am the Father of All" (click cover to see it readable), according to the aditional liner notes came "from the Father of All Words to his son Yahowa God of this sphere who is here, now." Tr.1, 737-1455 Tr.2, 120-720 2. Father Yod and the Spirit of '76 : Contraction Higher Key Records 3302 / 1974 Yahowa collection disc 2 Captain Trip CTCD-131 *** Somewhat low key psych with nice flute, el. Guitar, improvisation, voice, gospel like female vocals, drums, el.piano and organ. Side 2 is great. ( The 13 members on the album : Octavius Aquarian, drums and percussion, Pythias Aquarian, bass, Cinderella Aquarian, vocal, Zinuru Aquarian, recording centre, Vibration Aquarian, electric organ, Rhythm Aquarian, concert grand piano and electric piano, Zoraster Aquarian, lead rhythm, Anastasia Aquarian, vocal, Damian Aquarian, recording engineer, Aquariana Aquarian, vocal, Djin Aquarian, rhythm lead, Mother Ahom Aquarian, vocal, Sunflower Aquarian, bass) Tr.1, 800-1330 Tr.2, 1200 [official anouncement of "Penetration" album] [Image] [cover for "God and Hair" Ya Ho Wa Collection 13 CD box] psychedelic tribal music presents : YA HO WA [Image] [Image] [Higher Key reissue] [Image] [Image] [2nd album "Contraction", 1974] [logo printed on LP reissue] [Captain Trip reissue] [Image] [Image] [original tape cartridge] [Image] [1st album "Father Yod and the Spirt of '76", 1973] [Image] [Image] [Image] [back of second reissue on Captain Trip Records] [Image] [front of second reissue on Captain Trip Records] [back of first CD reissue on Higher key] [front of first reissue on Higher Key] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Higher Key reissue] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Psycho Records LP version, 300 pressed, coloured vinyl]