JUDY HENSKE-JERRY YESTER/FAREWELL ALDEBARAN STS 1052 (-69) UK

 Judy Henske (1936-2022) was a talanted US singer who relesased five solo albums 1963-66 of which non gave her much recognition. Though on this, with ground paved by her husband Jerry Yester (producer and earlier member of Loving Spoonful and Modern Folk Quartet) it all fits...at least to my taste. It didn't sell a lot either and soon disappeared from the shops. Maybe a too odd mix of genres for then and ahead of its time, but luckily it's been revalued and is today sought after by many serious collectors. And it is a very personal blend of folky, baroque and psych, making it one of a kind. All cuts self-penned - co-produced by Yester and former Loving Spoonful member Zal Yanovsky. Yester sings lead on a couple of tracks, but most are handeled by Henske and it's those I like best. Her voice is incredibly strong  and sometimes almost arousing. All tracks are both special and catchy-ish enough, so a good listen all through, but if to pick favorites it'd be "Snowblind", "Horses On A Stick", "Three Ravens" and "Raider". Full album below. Premiere US and Canadian on Straight (STS 1052). Also original issues in France and Germany. US 8-track on Straight (8RM-6388). Issued world wide on CD 2016 on Omnivore Recordings (OVCD-180) with five bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with lyrics inside.  (FÄV*)