The history of the Ashes, a minor mid-'60s folk-rock band, has been pretty murkily and confusingly reported. Three of their members -- guitarist John Merrill, bassist Al Brackett, and drummer Jim Voight -- formed part of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, though the mechanics of that transition are hazy. Pat Taylor, the female vocalist who is definitely the singer on their sole album, has been reported to have also been the singer on their two non-LP singles; other sources have reported that the singer on those two singles was Peanut Butter Conspiracy singer Sandi Robinson. Also, drummer Spencer Dryden was a member before he joined Jefferson Airplane, though apparently he didn't play on any of the Ashes' recordings.
The album (The Ashes) sounds as if it was recorded (at least in part) slightly later than the circa-1966 singles. It's pleasant if average folk-rock with touches of commercial pop and country-rock, featuring Taylor's stirring vibrato vocals. Taylor was gifted with a razor sharp voice that simply out-classed contemporaries like Grace Slick. Her performances on tracks such as 'Gone To Sorrow,' 'Return Home' and 'Look Around Rock' were all first-rate. While Taylor handled most of the vocals, Merrill's three performances were creditable. 'The Now' and 'Rainbows' both sported catchy country-rock melodies. For some reason the album was subsequently shelved where it sat until Vault unexpectedly released it in 1971. Overall an excellent slice of mid-1960s Southern California lite-rock.
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Hi
ReplyDeleteThe history is well know now thanks to it's inclusion in Fuzz Acid and Flowers and the sleeve.
The original Ashes formed in 1965 and included Sandi Robison. They evolved into the Peanut Butter Conspiracy around May 66. The Ashes released 2 singles in this period 1965-66, both of which are compiled on "West Coast Love-In" LP. After the second PBC LP, John Merrill decided to resurrect the Ashes (late 1968). Sandi Robison could not appear due to contractual obligations. The LP was delayed until 1970 and in the meantime PBC released their 3rd LP Children of All Ages (Challenge) which included both John Merrill and Sandi Robison.
Hello John,
Deleteis it possible that you are John Merrill from Ashes and PBC fame? Anyway i thank you for your comment.
Kind regards
Frank
Pat Taylor's voice was really great. Whatever happened to her?
ReplyDeleteHi Mats,
Deletethe only information i have is that she sangs in 1975 on an album by Leon 'Buddy' Walters. The album is called 'Presents A Letter Home'(BLAX Records). That is all i know.
Frank
Pat Taylor continued living in Southern California for the remainder of her life, where she raised her two children. She owned and operated a vintage clothing store called Hubba Hubba in Burbank for 30 years. She was also a columnist for the local publication The Tolucan, doing regular theater reviews for several decades. She passed away in her home in Burbank in June 2020. She is survived by her two children and three garndchildren.
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