Yodship

In the late '70s, a mysterious album -- bearing only the word Yodship on the cover -- was recorded and privately pressed. The reason it attracts some attention among hardcore collectors is its connection to the ten or so previous records done by disciples of Father Yod, under the names Father Yod & the Spirit of '76, Yahowa 13, and Fire, Water, Air. Undoubtedly this LP came from the same circle of Yod followers and possibly includes some of the musicians who participated in the prior projects. The previous aggregations of Father Yod-affiliated musical endeavors were spaced-out, anachronistic late-period psychedelia, for the most part. Yodship, however, is more subdued. Folky guitars and flute predominate, while soft, sometimes moaning vocals sing stream-of-consciousness quasi-mystical lyrics, sometimes extolling Yahowa (i.e. Father Yod), occasionally joined by female backup singers. The album has been reissued as one disc of the 13-CD God and Hair: Yahowha Collection box set. Interestingly, an album called In Praise of Our Father on Venus Music (probably privately pressed), credited to Father Yod on the inner label, was obviously done by the same musicians at the same session. This one-sided LP features just one track, "Suite 3," which is definitely a continuation of the same track that comprises the two-part suite on Yodship. In Praise of Our Father, however, is not included on the God and Hair: Yahowha Collection box. ~ Richie Unterberger