the american metaphysical circus

• A NEWLY REMASTERED RELEASE OF THIS CLASSIC PSYCHEDELIC / EXPERIMENTAL ALBUM FROM 1969 BY JOE BYRD (Ex- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
• FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK & BOOKLET WITH NEW ESSAY

Newly re-mastered official CD edition of the classic 1969 Psychedelic / Experimental album “The American Metaphysical Circus” by JOE BYRD & THE FIELD HIPPIES.

Joseph Byrd was a key member of the highly influential American Psychedelic group UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The band’s self-titled album from 1968 was a ground-breaking work in American popular music, although Byrd departed the band to pursue new musical interests.

Securing the backing of Columbia Records, he assembled a new group of musicians (including noted saxophonist Tom Scott) and a series of recording sessions produced “The American Metaphysical Circus”. Even more experimental than his work with United States of America, Joseph Byrd produced a masterpiece that was to feature clever use of tape loops and some of the earliest use of synthesizers in rock music. A stunning album that would influence future generations of musicians, “The American Metaphysical Circus” is now regarded as a landmark release of American music in the late 1960s.

This Esoteric Recordings edition has been newly re-mastered and restores the original album artwork. It also features a booklet with a new essay.

Track listing:

THE SUB-SYLVIAN LITANIES

• KALYANI
• YOU CAN’T EVER COME DOWN
• MOONSONG: PELOG

AMERICAN BEDMUSIC I – FOUR DREAMS FOR A DEPARTING PRESIDENT

• PATRIOT’S LULLABYE
• NIGHTMARE TRAIN
• INVISIBLE MAN
• MISTER 4TH OF JULY

GOSPEL MUSIC FOR ABRAHAM RUDDELL BYRD III

• GOSPEL MUSIC

THE SOUTH WESTERN GERIATRICS ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL

• THE SING-ALONG SONG
• THE ELEPHANT AT THE DOOR
• LEISURE WORLD
• THE SING-ALONG SONG (REPRISE)