The Psych Ward–Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy
The Psych Ward–Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy
Gongās Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy (1973-1975) is a touchstone of the prog-psych movement. If youāve never heard Gong before, I can guarantee it will be a unique experience listening to these three albums: Flying Teapot, Angelās Egg, and You.
Flying Teapot (1973) starts the trilogy as a pot-fueled fantasy story written by Daevid Allen from a vision he had in 1966. The entire mythology of Radio Gnome Invisible is laid out in this first album. Flying teapots (if flying saucers, why not?), Pothead Pixies from planet Gong, Buddhist Nirvana philosophy, and telepathic gurus are all there to be absorbed. The track āFlying Teapotā showcases the hallmarks of this era of Gongā¦slide guitar, jazz noodling, droning space synth Ć la Hawkwind, and funky basslines permeate the song. Another standout is the genre-twisting āZero the Hero and the Witchās Spell.ā
The second album Angelās Egg is where the consummate lineup comes togetherāDaevid Allen (vocals, glissando guitar), Gilli Smyth (space whisper), Didier Malherbe (woodwinds), Tim Blake (synthesizers), Mike Howlett (bass), Steve Hillage (guitar), and Pierre Moerlen (drums). Smythās vocalizations and Blakeās synth lines start the album off with āOther Side of the Sky;ā the track ending with a stellar Hillage volume swell/delayed guitar solo. The jazzy R&B-tinged second track āSold to the Highest Buddhaā cements Gongās reputation of leading the listener down blind alleys of the genre. The funky-jazzy āOily Wayā is a Gong classic where Moerlinās drumming and Hillageās guitar riffing stand out.
The third album You is more of a space trip than the other albums. Itās highlighted by the droning synths and chanting of āMagick Mother Invocationā / āMaster Builderā, and the insistent space funk workout of āThe Isle of Everywhere.ā
I was fortunate to see them in concert twice before Allenās death. The first time, I ran up to Daevid (my psychedelic cape flapping in the wind) to sign my You album. He was having a bad night and dismissively told me to āfuck off.ā I was crushed. My hero didnāt want to meet me. Ā I still came back to see them the next year and during the show, he looked directly at me and sang, “you are I or I am you” (from “You Never Blow Yr Trip Foreverā). Vindicated!
These albums combine all of what I love about Gong and the confluence of psychedelic and progressive rock. Seek out this trilogy and you wonāt be disappointed.
Related: The 100 Best Psychedelic Rock Albums of the Golden Age
Gallery
Recent Articles

Loading...
Psychotropic Cinema: THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE CREATURES WHO STOPPED LIVING AND BECAME MIXED-UP ZOMBIES!!?
- Jeff Broitman
Podcast: Dr. Matthew Gamble interviews Psychedelic Scene Publisher Jason LeValley
Acid Lore: If you take LSD three times you are legally insane
- Paul Weatherhead
3 thoughts on “The Psych Ward–Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy”
Great albums. Met him many times after concerts. Most of my gong albums are signed by him with little doodles by him as well. Miss him.
Classics. All must-own albums.
I got to meet Daevid Allen too. My friend and I had a fat joint and offered to smoke him up, he politely declined. So we smoked it ourselves as we helped him load his equipment into the van after the show.
Took a couple of great photos with him. Must have been in a good mood that night.
Love those albums. Nice review.