Silver Apples – ”Silver Apples” (Kapp KS-3562) June 1968
Silver Apples | Silver Apples | (Kapp) 1968 | Silver Apples, new Kapp duo featuring Dan Taylor & Simeon, tune in the twilight zone with a high-strung barrage of oscillations, vibrations and impulses that sound like the mating calls of two IBM machines.
“Oscillations” and “Whirly-Bird” highlight the duo’s electronic tribal rock blend, which also features percussion tantrums and twangs to delight the underground listener. (Billboard, June 1968)
SILVER APPLES – Kapp KS 3562
Kapp Records has slated a strong promo drive for this off-beat, inventive set from the two-man Silver Apples group. Utilizing nine audio oscillators with eighty-six manual controls played with hands, elbows, knees and feet, plus thirteen-drum five-cymbal percussion set, the duo produces a mystical sound.
Lyrics have a poetic feel and add to the LP’s strength. Should be good vibrations in store for this effort. (Cash Box, 15/06/68)
“Oscillations” (Kapp 923)
Inventive application of electronic music for a rock theme with an acute blend of avant garde instrumental work and primitive percussion take this work from the Silver Apples a step or three beyond the work of Country Joe and the Fish.
Verbal picture tuned to the music and a Gertrude Stein-like repetition-alchemy delivers a work of contemporary impact that should come up for excessive “underground” programming. Flip; “Whirly-Bird” (Cash Box, 15/06/68)
Apples Ring Bell as Electronics Group
NEW YORK — The electronic sounds of Silver Apples, a two-man group with a big sound, opened a one-week stand at the Cafe Au Go Go Tuesday with an interesting program taken mainly from their two Kapp albums.
The group’s members are Dan Taylor, who plays steady drums, and Simeon, who plays an elaborate oscillator also named Simeon, and handles vocals. Opening with “Love Fingers” from the first album. the duo was a strong combination, depending on the oscillator for variety.
Next came “You and I,” their new single, and a second-album cut, which utilized even greater volume, but had more commercial lyrics. One of the strong points of the duo are the vocals of Simeon (the person), which cut through the volume. Also, Taylor’s firm beat accents the selections admirably.
Two first-album numbers with unusual openings followed: “Dust” with Simeon speaking the opening and “Program,” which begins with radio dial switching. A minor drawback for the latter was the inability to get FM, meaning AM stations had to he used.
“Fantasies,” from the second album. closed the program effectively. In this, Simeon also spoke as well as sang. Here the oscillator’s variety was shown off to good advantage simulating jungle and other sounds. Effective use of purely electronic devices can pose problems, but Silver Apples had the situation well in hand. (Billboard, December 1968)
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