U.S. Apple Corps – Don’t Do Me Nothing
U.S. Apple Corps – Get High On Jesus
U.S. Apple Corps – Elijah Stone
U.S. Apple Corps – Dead
When I found this record while digging in Boston, I initially missed the religious overtones of the cover and was just overcome with the gorgeous and vibrant artwork. Since it was sealed, I didn’t have a chance to check out the songs, but with one titled, “Get High on Jesus,” I figured I couldn’t go wrong. As best I’ve been able to gather, U.S. Apple Corps released a couple of Christian themed rock records, this being the second one, before fading into complete obscurity. While the release date appears to be 1976, it’s pretty clear from how it sounds that this music was recorded at least 3 to 7 years prior to that, with the big money on 1970.
After unsealing the record and taking a listen I found the total package to be underwhelming, though I do like (most of) the tracks I’ve posted here. “Don’t Do Me Nothing” starts off with an extra hard drum break + handclaps (As you may know, I am sucker for some handclaps…) and settles into a fairly solid if not spectacular rocker. “Get High On Jesus” is not nearly as cool as the title might suggest, but it’s still mighty nice, with an upbeat drum pattern and lyrics that could have only come out of the late 1960s. I’m also rather fond of “Elijah Stone” especially the chorus, which I think has probably the strongest lyrical showing from this group and, like “Get High On Jesus,” features dual male/female vocals.
I’ve included “Dead” here not because it’s particularly good, quite the opposite. Lyrically it’s actually rather silly and oh so slightly overblown in it’s directness. It kind of reminds me of what might have happened if some of the Allman Bros. had joined Black Sabbath and all together they became born again rockers. For the life of me I can’t figure out how they managed to stretch this one out to almost 7 minutes, clearly, they were really reaching for something epic, but the results fall so laughingly flat that I just had to share it with you.
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Melting Pot,
This is a stunning cover and real 'rare U.S. Apple Corps find' even if the contents are underwhelming!
Regards from Oz,
Richard.
it is a stunner, I've only seen their prior record once, but I wonder if it's better. There is some nice playing on this, but sometimes the lyrics/delivery gets in the way. Either way, glad you dug it.