H. P. Lovecraft - The White Ship (1967)

Psychedelic rock band from Chicago. Named after the horror writer H. P. Lovecraft. Unconventional sounding harmonies on a bolero beat. Great drummer.

[@lynnkush6122]

The first time I heard this I was working in an all night gas station in Marin County CA. I worked the graveyard shift, 11pm to 7am. They had a really good radio in the office and the office had tile floors and much glass windows. It sounded like an auditorium in there. At 3am nothing was moving outside, the world was asleep, except for me and the DJ at a station in Berkeley. I heard this and many more beautiful tunes in the wee wee hours. Thank you Underground Radio for leading me away from Amplitude Modulated, top 10, overplayed and over hyped BS for Multiplex FM and musical variety.

[@blackmore4]

+Lynn Kush Great post. Nearly as good as the song ;)

[@artlapierre4766]

Just think how much hipper you would sound if you included Frequency Modulation along with Amplitude Modulation

[@newtonpo1]

Similar. East Bay Nights.

[@rodmcdonough6111]

Same here, from the Sunset district in SF. We had KMPX, KSAN with Dusty Street, and a really good station I was able to pick up from San Jose,... KSJO. They had a cool late nite DJ named J. William Weed who played quality, obscure personal-listening stuff like this song, along with entire sides of Moody Blues albums when they were a psychadelic conept orchestra. Even KYA on AM had some hip DJs at nite who played the good stuff every now and then. Back to The White Ship... those drop-dead harmonies come from a place of pure genious and perfection, with a lethargic delivery one might recall from a memorable psychedelic experience, now timeless

[@ronsullivan9068]

In the immortal words of 'Big Daddy' Tom Donahue, on KMPX, the 1st underground FM station in San Francisco, "I'm here to clean up your face and blow your minds'! And, boy, *did* he!

[@thomassmith8721]

The white ship set sail across the sea of LSD to the land of the magic mushroom. 🍄 Great band.

[@mitchmover3284]

I always loved this song. Great vocals and production. A couple members came from the Shadows of Knight.

[@howardphillipslovecraft1850]

interesting

[@robertramos1297]

I love you, you are the most important person to me

[@L.BCinematography]

Even though he’s a massive racist

[@edwardcumpstey9061]

@@L.BCinematography Was it not fairly common for people to be racist in those times? You can't judge the past with 21st century standards.

[@Groovysmokes23]

@@edwardcumpstey9061 it’s not really judging. Racism is racism regardless of the time period

[@edwardcumpstey9061]

@@Groovysmokes23 Nobody had a problem with Lovecraft until the internet found out he was racist. His work should not be dismissed as a result.

[@criscoleman]

This is one of those songs I could listen to over and over and over again. The ultimate lean back, close your eyes, and relax song. I love the Bolero drums. Maybe that's because I love the original Bolero and can listen to that over and over and over again. I used to have their initial LP that had this song on it. Very mesmerizing, hypnotic.

[@stews9]

Sort of the Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd American equivalent. Interesting music.

[@mrmaticuluos]

Chicago Group that had to go to the west coast to be appreciated.

[@douglasbohnstengel9902]

There were plenty of us in the Chicago area that loved & appreciated HP Lovecraft.

[@tombrody9208]

I first heard this in 1968, when I was a high school student at Pacific High School in San Leandro, CA. Our political science teacher, Mr. Pierce, played this for us one day in class. Many, many of the comments below do a fine job at praising this majestic composition, and I'm unable to add more to their fine, agreeable remarks.

[@DUCKSONAPOUND]

Some tunes are just hypnotic. This is one of kind. I could listen it over and over. Old happy times!

[@AMPSHOWS]

I saw them in 1967 at the Teen Fair at the Palladium in Hollywood. Trippy band. I have two of their LPs.

[@igblutz]

Yes! The Teen Fair. Another band there was West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

[@ronniewall1481]

HEY THERR I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT MUSIC. MY BROTHER AND FRIENDS USE TO TRADE I'D HEAR FOUR ALBUMS A NIGHT. MOST FOR ONE TIME.

[@MrScottylarue1]

I was working at a newspaper when Bobby Kennedy was shot and one of our LA FM stations played this song all night long, I love the group and the song wven though it evokes very sad memories of that fateful night...

[@cobraristein]

What a friggin' haunting song. That is music at the zenith for the young adults in the late sixties. It will never be duplicated. History. However, I sneek back from time to time and can only stand so much of the "goose-bumps". Thanks for putting this up.

[@MungoidHen]

I know what you mean. Hauntingly beautiful. Haunting. Beautiful. Beautifully beautiful and Hauntingly atmosheric jingly orchestral psychedelic choral. Wow, yes it's great, isn't it !? For me -evocative as anything I can think of to listen to. Yeah, GOOSE-BUMPS ! + GROOOVY.

[@marclayne9261]

'White Jacket' 1850....Herman Melville.......HP Lovecraft's Tale, 'The White Ship'...published 1919....

[@sx20Ramar]

This song brings back some blurred memories from long ago. Those were the times

[@klaus7715]

Um arraso MUSICAL salve salve a psicodelia

[@TheIndependentLens]

Psychedelia, the land of trip.

[@tuxguys]

The most narcotic song ever recorded. "ArtRock," early enough in the era when neither half of the term was a pejorative... This, and "White Rabbit," by the Jefferson Airplane, may be the only examples of a bolero rhythm in a R 'n' R tune. At the time of its release, this was completely non-derivative, and by any aesthetic standard, completely beautiful. Listen carefully, children-yet-unborn: This is the epitome of the concatenation of unaffected inspiration, musical preparation, and talents in combination. (The reprising fade-out of the Bach piece at the end is an exquisite touch.)

[@AkisPerdikis]

+tuxguys Cool observations... and allow me to add "Beck's Bolero" to the tunes that used this rhythm in the 60's.

[@tuxguys]

You are correct, sir! And I seem to recall that there was also a tune on the first LP by a somewhat obscure FM band, around 1968, called "Fever Tree" that also ended with that rhythm.

[@CoyKiyote]

+tuxguys Agreed! And to think I almost never heard this song. I hadn't heard of this group at all until three years ago. This song just puts me in a place.. it's incredible.

[@Al59redux]

Note also King Crimson's Bolero, on Lizard.

[@bobgreen623]

Yes indeed, the Lizard bolero, so bolero-like it's actually called Bolero.What a wonderful record.

[@davidbussell7799]

This is majestic and timeless. It is one of those tunes that you never tire of. Wonderful harmonies.

[@junemoonchild]

I love it. Floating through on this epic journey

[@georgefeist8190]

Saw them in SF...and bought the LP as soon as I could get to TOWER RECORDS.

[@duggi36]

The harmonies are excellent

[@raymondarata6549]

"Out of my mind" Neil Young? The whole song...Jefferson Airplane ring to it. First time I heard this one. Won't be the last!

[@BannanaOfDoom]

The WHite ship i a good story, this is a just as good song.

[@pikiwiki]

they knew their instruments and knew harmonic structure. Professionals.

[@LeeEisenstein]

Saw them at the Hullabaloo Club on Sunset, back in the day. They were a great live band and sounded exactly like they do on their record. Clarinet was cool, too!

[@kmwstudio1517]

haven't heard this in 50 years !

[@klaus7715]

My god incrível fantástico sensacional estupendo exuberante espetacular requinte majestoso

[@klaus7715]

Meu bondoso Deus quanta alegria esta psicodelia ahhh só pela música vale esta VIDA

[@jimsmith9301]

@MrScotty. I was watching on TV when Bobby finished speaking at the Ambassador hotel and was killed when leaving out of the rear through the kitchen. I was so optimistic until he, like his brother Jack was murdered. History was darkened that day. RIP Bobby and Jack and Martin. Amen.

[@yer_old_pal_Jerky]

MAGNIFICENT ESOTERIC DECADENT PSYCHEDELIA!

[@stratbluesman]

saw them at the magic mushroom in hollywood 1968 maybe ? can't remember

[@MegaCirse]

This band was like Picasso: a phenomenal technique at the service of the most unbridled and fairytale abstraction

[@jimsmith9301]

For fans of this band, you probably like Vanilla fudge like me too. Bless y'all.

[@matthewclapp2028]

Just seen them on a pink Floyd poster from 67 so here I am checking them out

[@evilbydesire]

Ohh lord i accidentaly found this song about 5 years ago and i have been blown every time i listen to this

[@powerplantplanetuniverse5945]

Uuuh...love this song,great band...what a time,1967-69 ! Best songwriting,and they were masters of it ;)

[@benjels2421]

WHATA FUCING HEELLLL SLAPPPER FROM HELL. Lovecraft's work really does shine through in their very eclectic musical sound

[@megatrollificus]

First love, this was our make-out music. As a singer (back then), these voices used to just spear me, physically. My body would actually jerk, and I'd play the song with my tongue and lips on her neck, her mouth...and get an actual, physical 'thrill' in my throat that has seldom been generated by any other pleasure. Damn intense, damn unusual. Anyway, great song. (**shivers**)

[@caseyhenry4217]

Brad Geltapfel I thought I was the only person who experienced that. It's better than any drug I've ever indulged in. What a tremendous, un-earthly feeling.

[@lanabanana68]

isn't it beautiful how music can move one this way? :)

[@jimsmith9301]

I was at Skyline High in Oakland. Loved the 60s. Bless y'all.

[@RogerSteinbrinkh2oBrother]

Masterpiece!

[@fueledbylove]

iT WASNT CALLED hIGH sCHOOL BY cHANCE

[@duke_of_earl]

I did see them in SF at either Avalon or filmore or Winterland?

[@11dallis]

Saw them at Winterland, on a bill with Donovan, when he was touring behind "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow". A strange combination but they were both psychedelic in their way. I was def there for HP Lovecraft tho. Awesome show!

[@TheWayofFairness]

How far is tomorrow when it never comes again.

[@zambrota55]

Jefferson Airplane emerges from every chord and harmony

[@workingtheworld68]

If this has whetted your appetite for more Lovecraft do take a listen "Keeper of the Keys" on H. P. Lovecraft II

[@marcm9999]

Amazing, especially that it withstands the test of time so well. Ahead of their time. Unique

[@kenmiller9085]

Never saw them but I saw Conqueror Worm and the Kinetic Playground

[@klaus7715]

The WHITE SHIP um colosso MUSICAL

[@goodleshoes]

Wow that's insane. Cool find.

[@EdvarRibeirodeLima]

Delightful Bolero!

[@metaljimmy217]

incredibly awesome

[@balloonfarm5903]

Always dug this tune. Thanks.😎✌🏽☮️🎸

[@johnraggio188]

Love this Narcotic sound. Very similar to .Cry Baby Cry' By 'Unloved.'

[@phylliselizahb1041]

Tom Verlaine of Television cited "the White Ship" by HP Lovecraft ( 🎵) as his inspiration for "Marquee Moon"

[@Carlo8836]

Love the Farfisa organ!

[@makalu877]

My gosh I forgot about that organ, seems like those were in demand at the time. Thanks for bringing that up

[@omarinheiropopeye]

3:45 this is beautiful

[@CoyKiyote]

I feel like this song is going to be rediscovered again by the masses someday.. I sure hope so. It's so good!

[@ΜανωληςΦιολακης]

even as a hippy I was in search for scary!

[@jacquesrachi6491]

A real gem

[@tubbers20]

Ravel's 'Bolero' drumming.

[@KelsenBurgess-x7d]

Taylor Anthony Gonzalez Michael Hernandez George

[@nikolaosmosxakis3395]

good...................................

[@terrygafford6074]

It sure is a shame , the turn frequency modulation took in the mid-seventies , though ,eh.......?

[@nnnaominicole]

Wow😭😭🙏🏻

[@kamikage9420]

Steam Powered Giraffe's Out In The Rain brought me here.

[@lanedexter6303]

Wow. Don’t think I’ve heard that since high school (class of ‘72). Takes me back.

[@brianwolle2509]

plenty cool.

[@redstrat1234]

Amazing

[@ftb3451]

Is that Grace Slick in the back/foreground?

[@ftb3451]

No, I think that is Dave Michaels. No?

[@irene_deneb]

The one in back looks like Lovecraft

[@truthseeker2321]

That's the drummer, and I can't remember his name. He kept the band going after all the other original members left. It lasted until 1980 or ' 81. Their best song in my opinion, is Keeper of the Keys- his drumming is on TOP!

[@akenatonto]

Yes. The White Ship...

[@SKINDEREE]

That is amazing !

[@ronniewall1481]

HOW Y'ALL ARE EARWAX.

[@phrcivil]

aleluia irmão!!

[@alejoparedes2388]

Awesome!!!

[@stillbillful]

...ufo's

[@myautobiographyafanfic1413]

So essentially this is the first goth band?

[@TheSaltydog321]

Really??

[@CuriousCritter17]

No.

[@dantean]

Talk about a song in need of some tightening up!

[@phydeauxddog]

+Sublime Music Channel ? Music from Pink Floyd's The Wall.

[@praptiroy8840]

sod off

[@criscoleman]

It is what it is, and what it is, is enough. If you're going to say what you said, say what you mean and don't just leave everyone hanging.

[@blackstrawberry5863]

Great band

[@richintalent]

They should have done Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone` saga