Giant Crab by: shiloh Noone

The first crawl of Giant Crab was kickstarted by ex Emperors guitarist Ernie Oroscoe. Ernie & the Emperors debut bill was opening for the Isley Brothers at ‘Earl Warren Showgrounds’. The ‘Peppermint twist’ era gave way to acid days with Ernie and his brothers Raymond & Ruben forming Giant Crab with the brothers Fricia. The Crab’s final claws comprised Ernie Orosco (vox-guitar), Raymond Orosco (guitar-bass-clavinet), Ruben Orosco (bass-drums-sax), Dennis Fricia (drums-horns,) & Kenny Fricia (keyboards) The group was produced by Strawberry Alarm Clock’s producer Bill Holmes. After putting out “Listen Girl”/”Summer Breezes”, “Day By Day (It Happens)”/ “Kind of Funny” and “It Started with a Little Kiss”, Giant Crab launched their 1968 conceptual A Giant Crab Comes Forth clambering with soulful psychedelic brass in the same shade as Douglas Fir.

The album was mostly original other than a cover of Scott English’ “Hi Ho Silver Lining” and Joey Levine’s “I Enjoy Being a Boy” first recorded by Banana Splits (renowned Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper & Snorky, famous for TV show – theme “The Banana Splits Song”) Giant Crab’s opus was a brassy version of Dunn & McCashen’s “Lydia Purple” previously covered by The Collectors and later Cargo. The highlights are the Rascals sounding “It Started With A Little Kiss” and surging Grassroots influenced “Intensify Your Soul” and “Thru The Fields”. The fuzz ripping “Hot Line Conversation” is freakbeat finesse. The group then recorded the conceptual Cool It Helios boosted by the horn powered “Help Yourself”, “Hello Yesterday” and “Welcome To the World”. After the Pretty Things steal “E.S.P”, Oroscoe  formed Big Brother.

Added: December 14th 2010
Reviewer: shiloh Noone | See all reviews by shiloh Noone
Category: Music
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Related Link: Seekers Guide To The Rhythm Of Yesteryear