The Illusion

I've heard it said that a reader doesn't choose a book, a book chooses a reader. In my case, I'm talking about vinyl albums and not books.

I went to the modern equivalent of Canada's Wonderland for record collectors, the Montreal Record Convention one year. 

I always enjoy record conventions. There is always the element of surprise as to what records, CDs & magazines you can find and whether you'll be able to afford them. I was picking through crates of records priced at $3 each and came across the album cover photo you see below.

To understand why I'm writing about this album is to understand that these five gentlemen represent a look I consider to be the epitome of classic rock. The hair is long and wild. The clothes are funky and I would dare say interchangeable among the band members. They are posing in a graveyard which is already curious and unusual. From the moment I saw the cover, I was sold. What also sold me was the band name. I love great band names and I like The Illusion. I figured there would be some great psychedelic rock on it without having heard one song.

I bought a K-Tel/Ronco compilation record months ago with an Illusion song on it but never heard it. As I found the album and put the faces to the band name, I was undoubtedly going home with the record.

I sampled the first side of the album and was barely impressed with that I heard. I didn't flip the side for fear I'd be totally let down. I grabbed the K-Tel/Ronco record to make sure The Illusion hit song was on The Illusion album I bought. It was thankfully the last song on the second side.

I immediately played Together and loved it. I have yet to hear the other tracks on the second side and maybe with subsequent listens will come to like the album as much as I do Together.

In retrospect, I am blogging about the song Together by The Illusion more the album by The Illusion. We never know what can inspire us to do anything but maybe if we followed the song's theme, the world can be a better place.

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Playlist:


1. Dave Cortez & The Moon People – Happy Soul (w/a Hook)
2. Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm – Funky Mule
3. Bo Diddley ‎– The Shape I'm In
4. Merry Clayton - Gimme Shelter
5. Harmonica Paul ‎– Motherless Child
6. Ramsey Lewis ‎– Mighty Quinn
7. Lonnie Mack - Memphis
8. The George Benson Quartet ‎– Benson's Rider
9. Clarence Carter - Snatching It Back
10. James Brown ‎– Nose Job
11. Five Stairsteps & Cubie ‎– We Must Be In Love
12. David McCallum - The Edge
13. Dyke & The Blazers ‎– You Are My Sunshine
14. Otis Redding - You Left The Water Running
15. Johnnie Taylor - Love Bones
16. The Staples Singers - If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)
17. Wilson Pickett - Take That Pollution Out Your Throat
18. Robert Palmer - Pressure Drop
19. Ken Boothe - My Love
20. Gwen McCrae - 90% Of Me Is You
21. The Illusion - Together
22. Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky
23. Patrice Rushen - Givin' It Up Is Givin' Up
24. Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man
25. Buddy Miles - Down By The River
26. Donovan - Season Of The Witch
27. Gary Bartz NTU Troop - Celestial Blues