Poe through the Glass Prism
February 15, 2011 7:58 AM Subscribe
In 1969, a
psychedelic rock group from around Scranton, PA released
an album featuring
lyrics by Edgar Allan Poe.
Poe Through the Glass Prism featured 11 songs with lyrics taken from Poe poems (some abridged). "The Raven" / "Eldorado" was released as a single.
Track listing:
1.
The Raven (
poem)
2.
To- (
poem)
3. To One in Paradise (
poem)
4.
Eldorado (
poem)
5.
The Conqueror Worm (
poem)
6.
A Dream Within a Dream (
poem)
7. “The Happiest Day, The Happiest Hour” (
poem)
8. Alone (
poem)
9.
Beloved (.wma) (
poem "To F-")
10. Hymn (
poem)
11. A Dream (
poem)
The band was formed as the El Caminos in 1960, and signed to RCA on a two-album contract in 1968, changing their name to The Glass Prism.
"Finally, in 1968 we began work on The Edgar Allan Poe project. Word spread to producer Gene Weiss and Mort Lewis. Mort managed Simon and Garfunkle, B,S&t, Dave Bruback, and now us. The name change to The Glass Prism suited the concept and the album "Poe Through The Glass Prism" was born. RCA signed us immediately. Les Paul was hired as our engineer and the album was recorded in three days and released weeks later in 1969." -
Tom Varano, founder
The Glass Prism put out a second album the next year, entitled
On Joy and Sorrow, featuring
original tracks.
In 1971, the band broke up and three of the former members formed Shenandoah. Shenandoahs' recordings are available to download
on the band's site along with several Glass Prism tracks. Shenandoah disbanded in 1976, but has recently been
reunited.
A 56-minute
documentary was also filmed about the band,
On Joy & Sorrow - The Glass Prism Story. (
trailer) It has been screened at a few film festivals.
An interview with guitarist & founder Tom Varano. 
posted by timsteil at 8:03 AM on February 15, 2011