Release of an Oath
Encyclopedia
Release of An Oath is the fourth studio album by The Electric Prunes
, released in 1968. Following the musical pattern of their Mass in F Minor
, it is a rock music
setting of a service intended to release a penitent from an oath "made under duress and in violation of his principles" (liner notes).
The album is subtitled "The Kol Nidre - a prayer of antiquity", and is often referred to simply as "The Kol Nidre". The Jewish Kol Nidre
prayer, on which the first track is based, remains in current use as a central part of Jewish worship.
Despite the subtitle and popular name, the remaining tracks of the album are based on a mix of Christian
and Jewish liturgies.
and producer
David Axelrod
and a group of session musician
s. Personnel included:
Only the vocals appear to have been recorded by the band members.
Side 2
The Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes are an American rock band who first achieved international attention as an experimental psychedelic group in the late 1960s. Their song "Kyrie Eleison" was featured on the soundtrack of Easy Rider...
, released in 1968. Following the musical pattern of their Mass in F Minor
Mass in F Minor
Mass in F Minor is the third studio album by The Electric Prunes, released in 1968, consisting of a musical setting of the mass sung in Latin and arranged in the psychedelic style of the band...
, it is a rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
setting of a service intended to release a penitent from an oath "made under duress and in violation of his principles" (liner notes).
The album is subtitled "The Kol Nidre - a prayer of antiquity", and is often referred to simply as "The Kol Nidre". The Jewish Kol Nidre
Kol Nidre
Kol Nidre is an Aramaic declaration recited in the synagogue before the beginning of the evening service on every Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement...
prayer, on which the first track is based, remains in current use as a central part of Jewish worship.
Despite the subtitle and popular name, the remaining tracks of the album are based on a mix of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and Jewish liturgies.
Personnel
Although credited to the Electric Prunes, the album is largely the work of composerComposer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
David Axelrod
David Axelrod (musician)
David Axelrod is an American composer, arranger and producer, working in several musical genres.-Biography:...
and a group of session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
s. Personnel included:
- Howard RobertsHoward RobertsHoward Roberts was an American jazz guitarist, educator and session musician.-Biography:Roberts was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and began playing guitar at age 8. By the time he was 15 he was playing professionally locally....
and Lou Morrell (guitar) - Don RandiDon RandiDon Randi is an American keyboard player, bandleader and songwriter. He has performed on innumerable recordings, including many as a session musician and member of "The Wrecking Crew", as well as releasing his own jazz records...
(keyboards) - Carol KayeCarol KayeCarol Kaye is an American musician, best known as one of the most prolific and widely heard bass guitarists in history, playing on an estimated 10,000 recording sessions in a 55 year career....
(bass) - Earl PalmerEarl PalmerEarl Cyril Palmer was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
(drums)
Only the vocals appear to have been recorded by the band members.
Track listing
Side 1- Kol Nidre (AxelrodDavid Axelrod (musician)David Axelrod is an American composer, arranger and producer, working in several musical genres.-Biography:...
) 4.14 - Holy Are You (Axelrod) 4.05
- General Confessional (Axelrod) 4.15
Side 2
- Individual Confessional (Axelrod) 2.10
- Our Father, Our King (Axelrod) 3.10
- The Adoration (Axelrod) 3.48
- Closing Hymn (Axelrod) 2.53
External links
- Liner notes on original album cover on www.electricprunes.com
- David Axelrod entry at Picadilly Records documents personnel.