LOS ANGELES (www.maxmulti.com) - The Patron Saints (www.maxmulti.com), creators of the legendary 1969 LP Fohhoh Bohob, had a long-anticipated reunion in 2000. That event sparked a strong desire to go into the studio and record a brand new Patron Saints album, resulting in the recently released "Time And Place," an 11-track offering which maintains their trademark psychedelic folk sound while also drawing upon many of their classic rock influences.
The Patron Saints are led by singer/guitarist and songwriter Eric Bergman who is himself one of the legitimate pioneers of the indie music movement. Bergman had the foresight to record and press the band's first full-length album in 1969, ultimately releasing 100 copies to radio stations, friends and fans of the band. That original release, Fohhoh Bohob, is now one of the most sought after record collectables with mint copies selling for close to $3000 in record collecting magazines.
For the new CD, the band decided to revisit a couple of their older recordings, "Fly Away" and "In The Mourning," both of which they felt deserved a rethinking from a "grown-up" perspective. "Good Friday", an old live favorite from the '70s which was never recorded in the studio, a few tracks from the '80s which had never been recorded, and some brand new songs round out the much anticipated collection which celebrates the band's 40th anniversary.
As a special treat for Fohhoh/Proto Bohob fans, there's also an early '70s demo recording by original Patron Saint and Fohhoh Bohob co-writer, the late Jon Tuttle, which was given the "Beatles-Free As A Bird" treatment, i.e., other instruments were added to Jon's demo to make it a finished production.
"Time And Place" is expertly produced, blending classic textures and tones in contemporary settings. Bergman, who penned the majority of the songs, writes intelligent and thought provoking lyrics. All five of the Patron Saints are passionate players who bring color and depth to songs that explore a diverse range of musical styles and structures.
Rounding out The Patron Saints' current line-up are long-time members John Doerschuk (piano, keyboards, guitar, vocals); Kirk Foster (bass, percussion, vocals); Jeff Alfaro (drums, percussion, vocals); and, Roy Ellingsen (guitar, vocals).