Crystal Syphon - Family Evil / Elephant Ball '2021

Tracks list

Here, after over 50 years, is the total recorded output of Crystal Syphon. It is
the amalgam of the talents and tastes of six musicians, friends and brothers
from the little town of Merced, California. On almost every weekend, dances were
held atone of Merceds four musical venues: The American Legion Hall, the
Italo-American hall, the Womens Clubhouse, or the Merced Fairgrounds. Crystal
Syphon was formed in 1965 by a group of musicians from Merced High School.
Originally known as the Morlouchs, the founding members were Jeff Sanders on
vocals, his brother Jim Sanderson rhythm guitar and vocals, Tom Salles on lead
guitar and vocals, Dave Sprinkel on keyboards and vocals, Roger Henry on bass
and Andy Daniel on drums.The band was very much influenced by the sounds of The
Beatles and The Byrds, and is evidenced in their ability to do very difficult
four part harmonies.

The group played many local area gigs, including Battle Of The Bands, but under
the management of Jeff and his older brother Bob, the band began to pursue
writing their own music. The band pooled ail their earnings for both equipment
and recording sessions, and this practice continued the entire time the band was
together. In May of 1966, Roger left the band and was replaced by Bob Greenlee
on bass. In 1967, the band recorded Marcy, Your Eyes, Paradise, Have More Of
Everything, and Try Something Different at Dick Terzians studio in Fresno and
were 3 track recordings; thus they were essential live with only some mild vocal
or guitar overdubs. Other well known artists the band appeared with were Bo
Diddley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Youngbloods, Quicksilver Messenger
Service, Country Joe & The Fish, The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield, Elvin
Bishop, Lee Michaels and Santana.

Throughout the bands existence, the band shopped itself to various record
labels. With the assistance of Bob Sanders and Richard Delong, who replaced Bob
as the bands manager in 1967. Ultimately, the band had several offers to sign,
but because they insisted on artistic freedom and complete ownership of their
publishing, no agreement was ever reached with a label at the time.

In late 1968, Jim Sanders left the band and was soon followed by Dave Sprinkel.
The four remaining members continued on as a four piece group, with Jeff Sanders
taking over on keyboards. The band stayed together until late 1969, finally
disbanding in early 1970. When Marvin Greenlee moved to Stockton to play in
other bands, Tom, Bob and Jeff (now on drums) joined up with Merced guitarist
John Fox to form Boogeyman, who recorded a 45 on a local Merced label. They
played together for several more years, finally disbanding in 1973.
CD Liner Notes

Tracks:



Disc 1 Family Evil 1967-68
1. Marcy, Your Eyes - 3:36
2. Paradise - 3:09
3. Have More Of Everything - 5:25
4. Try Something Different - 3:42
5. Fuzzy And Jose - 7:30
6. Are You Dead Yet? - 2:46
7. In My Mind - 2:42
8. Family Evil - 5:37
9. Fails To Shine - 5:42
10.Winter Is Cold - 6:56
11.Winter Is Cold - 6:12
All songs by Crystal SyphonTracks 8-10 recorded live At The Fillmore West
1-21-68
Track 11 recorded 2008




Disc 2 Elephant Ball 1967-69
1. Dawn Sermon - 1:21
2. For All Of My Life - 3:12
3. Tell Her For Me - 3:29
4. Elephant Ball - 4:26
5. Sing To Me - 8:36
6. Its Winter - 3:23
7. Snow Falls - 5:16
8. Dont Fall Brother - 3:20
9. There Is Light There - 6:33

Personnel:

*Tom Salles - Vocal, Guitar
*Jim Sanders - Vocal, Guitar (Disc 1 Tracks 1-11, Disc 2 Tracks 1-3)
*Jeff Sanders - Vocals, Organ, Percussion, Drums 
*Bob Greenlee - Bass 
*Dave Sprinkel- Vocals, Organ, Percussion (Disc 1 Tracks 1-3, 5-11, Disc 2
Tracks 1-3)
*Andy Daniel - Drums (Disc 1 Tracks 1-4, Disc 2 Tracks 1-3)
*Marvin Greenlee - Drums (Disc 1 Tracks 5-10, Disc 2 Tracks 4-9)

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