Gong-Rejoice! I’m Dead!

The 14th release from this hippie Progressive, Psychedelic and Jazz flavored band from England and France. This was released in 2016, one year after the death of founder Daevid Allen. Allen’s partner and Gong co-founder Gilli Smyth also died a month before the album’s release. With no original members in the band I was a little hesitant to buy this but was glad I did because it is a very good album. Didier Malherbe, who was in the band from the beginning, plays on one track and Steve Hillage, who joined in 1973 for the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy, plays guitar on “Rejoice!” .To me this sounds like any other Gong record with great Psychedelic and Ambient jams. “Rejoice!” with lyrics by Allen is my favorite but “The Unspeakable Stands Revealed” and “Insert Yr Own Prophecy”, all three from 10 to 12 minutes long, are also very good and on my playlist. Today driving in my car “Insert Yr Own Prophecy” played on my USB which has the over 3800 songs on my playlist. It seemed like a good a reason as any to listen to this record tonight that I bought in 2023. I see they have released three more records since then, one a live album, and will buy any of them if I see one.

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