Track Listing

1. Little Hands
2. Cripple Creek
3. Diana
4. Margaret Tiger Rug
5. Weighted Down (The Prison Song)
6. War In Peace
7. Broken Heart
8. All Come To Meet Her
9. Books Of Moses
10. Dixie Peach Promenade
11. Lawrence Of Euphoria
12. Grey
13. Afro
14. This Time He Has Come
15. It's The Best Thing For You
16. Keep Everything Under Your Hat
17. Furry Heroine (Halo Of Gold)
18. Givin' Up Things
19. If I'm Good
20. You Know
21. Doodle
22. Fountain
23. I Think You And I

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34349 in Music
• Released on: 2005-05-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The only solo album from this former Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape cult hero is something of a legend. Cut in four days all by himself, it bombed upon its release in 1969. Nevertheless, Spence's legend has led to devotion from such fans as Tom Waits, Robert Plant, Beck, and R.E.M.. Oar features quiet, stark folk; odd turns of phrase; old-timey shuffles; playful swing; and pretty melodies croaked out from Spence's hoarse voice. Generally, the mood is blissed out, with the occasional apocalyptic dread ("Cripple Creek", "Books of Moses") and dissociated narratives ("Margaret-Tiger Rug", "Lawrence of Euphoria") that came naturally to the poor soul who spent time in psychiatric institutions prior to his death at age 52. This Sundazed reissue includes new liner notes, plus 10 additional tracks, including five previously un-issued recordings. --Jason Gross

CD Description
The late Alexander Spence, also known as Skip Spence, was in two of the best American West Coast bands of the '60s, Moby Grape and Jefferson Airplane. After a bout with mental illness, Spence recorded OAR for Columbia Records. The album isa wonderfully quirky journey that only a product of the American '60s could have produced.
Spence played all the instruments on this album and drew freely from the root genres that made up the foundations of mid-'60s rock--blues, folk, gospel, ethnic--in order to weave a tapestry that sounds like Lightnin' Hopkins crossed with Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett (his British counterpart). OAR is an eerie, fractured, and harrowing work that's driven by its own inner logic. The album also has quite a following. In 1999, Robert Plant, Beck, TomWaits and Flying Saucer Attack contributed their versions of its songs to a tribute album, MORE OAR.

Customer Reviews

Superlative acid/folk/rock msytic
I'm very surprised that no one has contributed a review for this classic so far. Profound, intense and moving Spence veers from existentialist Johnny Cash mode to full on Psych (the incredible "War in Peace"- the whole output of the late Jeff Buckley in a single song but more so) to meditative tracks (Grey/Afro). Jammed between are moments of genuine humour and moving sadness. Truly an adult record in the sense of Scott Walker or Brel. The overall feeling is one that evokes a new frontier either that of the old West or the psychological ones that Spence was some to smash through. Spence may have sufferd deeply in his all too short life but he left us a deeply healing work. Try it !

The Sad Ballad Of A Lost Man
This open-hearted deep album is one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. Originally released in 1969 (US-only), this album has only just become available. Now you have the chance to hear the genius' album, in all it's hope and glory- with 11 unheard tracks. I recommend "War & Peace" and "Grey/Afro". God Bless You, Skippy.

Not for the faint hearted, but ........
Truly amazing. I can't find the words to do it justice. It reaches me, and its other devotees on a deeper level than nearly anything else I've ever heard. Mind you, it helps to approach this in an open frame of mind. If you take it just at face value, it's nothing more than drug-induced rubbish. Look just below the surface, and you'll see something quite extraordinary. If you need just one track before buying, try Weighted Down/Prison Song. Good luck!