Pearls Before Swine : one of the best psychedelic groups

Formed in Florida, USA, in 1965, Pearls Before Swine comprised Tom Rapp (vocals, guitar), Wayne Harley (autoharp, banjo, mandolin, vibraphone), Lane Lederer (bass, guitar, horns) and Roger Crissinger (keyboards). The latter was replaced by Jim Bohannon in 1967. The group pursued a recording deal with the avant garde ESP label, opining that the home of the Fugs would welcome their surrealist folk-rock.

The quartet’s debut, One Nation Underground, was an enticing mixture of inti­mate ballads and Bob Dylan-influenced ire, while Rapp’s lisping delivery gave the group its distinctiveness.

Balaclava followed a similar path, but enhanced the air of mystery with a succession of sound effects, string arrangements and contributions from jazz musician Joe Farrell.

Although the Pearls’ original members were now dropping out of the group, Rapp continued to forge an idiosyncratic path. The Use Of Ashes included ‘Rocket Man’, the artist's interpretation of a Ray Bradbury short story, which inspired the Elton John song of the same title.

Rapp’s later work, although still inventive, embraced more conventional styles and showed a marked interest in country styles. Having achieved all he felt possible, Rapp retired from music in 1975 and has since become a suc­cessful lawyer.

FULL STUDIO DISCOGRAPHY:

One Nation Underground (1967, ESP-Disk)

Balaklava (1968, ESP-Disk)

These Things Too (1969, Reprise)

The Use of Ashes (1970, Reprise)

City of Gold (1971, Reprise), (Thos. Rapp / Pearls Before Swine)

Beautiful Lies You Could Live In (1971, Reprise) (Tom Rapp / Pearls Before Swine)

Familiar Songs (1972, Reprise) (Tom Rapp)

Stardancer (1972, Blue Thumb) (Tom Rapp)

Sunforest (1973, Blue Thumb) (Tom Rapp / Pearls Before Swine)

A Journal of the Plague Year (1999, Woronzow) (Tom Rapp)