Guest: J.J. Light (aka Jim Stallings)

In this epysode we hear the tale of how an American artist recorded an album featuring songs about his Navajo background, with the title track becoming a smash hit in Europe...yet inexplicably the record company decided not to release the album in North America. What?!?

The album was recorded with a huge budget and had most of The Wrecking Crew as session musicians, which automatically means you are in for a good time.

J.J. Light was an artist that should have gone on to more fame and fortune, but as it turns out success was his biggest failure.

Enjoy!

-FJ

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Guests: Ian ("Tag") Waggett, Shape of the Rain drummer; David McPhie, Shape of the Rain band manager; plus additional audio excerpts used with permission of Keith Riley, Shape of the Rain singer/guitarist/songwriter.

In this epysode, we learn how this fantastic UK band was influenced by the West Coast sounds of Love, HP Lovecraft etc. to create a unique sound all their own. With excellent songwriting from band leader Keith Riley, they incorporated 12 string guitars with a pedal steel guitar - very unusual for a psychedelic band to use at that time.

Shape of the Rain played with EVERY major band of the day. Only releasing one album in their lifetime, it's the classic tale of a band who had all the components to be major stars. However fate it seems had other plans.

A recent reissue of their lone album is a great addition for fans as it includes not only a remastered version of the album, but a plethora of fantastic unreleased tracks plus a complete live album. Buy this today! https://www.cherryred.co.uk/shape-of-the-rain-riley-riley-wood-amp-waggett-3cd-digipak#:~:text=It's%20a%20fascinating%20overview%20of,immediately%20post%2DBeatles%20new%20dawn.

A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THIS EPYSODE: The Shape of the Rain epysode was completed a few weeks ago. I had intended to release it earlier than this, however on the day before it was set to be published news broke that Keith Riley had passed away. I made the decision to leave the epysode as is, recorded when Keith was still alive. I felt re-editing would take away from the story. Instead I added a short prologue to commemorate Keith's life. He was an extraordinary talent and I can only hope my love for his music comes across in this epysode. I love this band, I love this album and I love Keith's songwriting. RIP Keith, you will be missed.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for future epysodes, I can be reached at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.

We rely on support from our Patreon backers to bring you more content like this. If you enjoy what you are hearing, consider becoming a member for as little as $1/month by clicking here: patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic . Thank you for your support.

-FJ

Psychedelic Relics is expanding! Additional bonus content is now available at:

patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic

In Bonustrax 01, learn how the band Neon Pearl eventually morphed into T2 as we dive into their archival album "The 1967 Recordings".

In Bonustrax 02, Farmer John and Uncle Herff discuss the "2023 In Memoriam Fantasy Band" they would assemble from artists we sadly lost in the last calendar year. So much great talent to choose from...who would you pick for your fantasy band?

More full epysodes of the show are coming your way soon right here, stay tuned. Bonustrax are available only on our Patreon page.

I hope you dig this stuff as much as I do and thank you for your support.

-FJ