1968 by Marvin Gardens

“8/10 One of the era’s most overlooked treasures. A boldly eclectic mix of vintage Americana and primitive rock’n’roll, rinsed in the vibrant psychedelia of the times. How they never made it is something of a mystery judging by the power of this belated compilation.” – UNCUT

Phenomenal anthology of late-60s, electric-folk/garage-psych alchemists Marvin Gardens. Comprised of unheard Warner Bros. audition demos, a self-released EP, and an inspired live performance from the legendary Matrix club in S.F., 1968 captures virtually all recorded evidence of a dynamic and mesmerizing band that existed for only a couple years at the tail end of the 60s.

Lead singer Carol Duke was a wisecracking lesbian from Lubbock, Texas, with a deep knowledge of folk music, the vocal power and conviction of Grace Slick and Janis Joplin, and a spine-tingling pop-melodic purity. The young and fearless band jumped right into her large repertoire of folk, blues and standards – often without ever hearing the originals – and intuitively crafted sonically adventurous and emotionally compelling versions that completely stand on their own. Marvin Gardens had elements of molten Quicksilver, the Dead’s cosmic blues, Big Brother’s grand gestures and the city’s open-hearted folkie past, as well as heaps of grit and humor, with shadings of the Velvet Underground and The Charlatans.. High Moon Records has created the ultimate document of a group that should have been a bigger deal and still very much deserves to be heard..

“Had the Charlatans been joined by Country Joe’s keyboard player and fronted by an earthy female singer, they might’ve sounded like Marvin Gardens...” —Mike Stax, Ugly Things Magazine

• Remastered from the original source tapes by multi-Grammy nominee Dan Hersch
• Liner notes include an insightful essay by Ugly Things’ writer Mike Stax, reflections from band members and associates, and archival photos
• Original cover and back art by legendary underground cartoonist Larry Welz