Stonewall were a fantastic hard rock band from NYC whose history is shrouded in mystery. Their sole album is one of the most treasured on the collector's market, with probably less than 100 pressed and just a handful of copies known to still exist. However, the band had broken up long before it was actually released, seemingly without their consent or knowledge.
Recorded (allegedly) in 1969, Stonewall
is one of the great obscure albums of its time and comparable to other
US early hard rock legends such as Dust, Sir Lord Baltimore and Bang. The main
difference is that all of those had major-label deals. Tiger Lily appears to be
a label set up by the owner of a NYC recording studio, where Stonewall had been
the 'house band' for several years. The recording itself was pieced together
over several months of night-shift slots.
This fine recording was rediscovered among collector's
circles during the late 80s, and unofficially repressed in 1992. Since then it
has become a cult album, and for good reason. It is a glorious mix of
underground hard rock and protometal, with a punkish sensibility, delivered
with a touch of class. Right On is anthemic
and full of energy. Bloody Mary starts with
a harmonica, before launching into a series of great bluesy and upbeat protometal
riffs. Outer Spaced is a mesmerising slice
of stoned psychedelic hard rock, while organ-boosted Try And See It Through has upbeat vibes
reminiscent of early 70s-era Grand Funk. Track down a reissue if you can!
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