''Outsideinside'' is the second album by American

power trio A power trio is a rock and roll band format having a lineup of electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit (drums and cymbals), leaving out a second rhythm guitar or keyboard instrument that are often used in other rock music bands that are quartet ...

Blue Cheer Blue Cheer was an American rock band that initially performed and recorded in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was sporadically active until 2009. Based in San Francisco, Blue Cheer played in a psychedelic blues rock or acid rock style, and ...

Philips Records Philips Records is a record label founded by the Dutch electronics company Philips. It was founded as Philips Phonographische Industrie in 1950. In 1946, Philips acquired the company which pressed records for British Decca's Dutch outlet in A ...

released the album in August 1968, only seven months after their debut LP, ''

Vincebus Eruptum ''Vincebus Eruptum'' (; pseudo-Latin) is the debut album of American rock band Blue Cheer. Released on January 16, 1968, the album features a heavy-thunderous blues sound, which would later be known as heavy metal. A commercial and critical su ...

''. The album was recorded both outdoors and indoors—hence the title of the album. The songs include contributions from all members, along with two covers: " Satisfaction" by

the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...

and " The Hunter" by

Albert King Albert Nelson (April 25, 1923 – December 21, 1992), known by his stage name Albert King, was an American guitarist and singer who is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is perhaps b ...

. The album was re-released on CD in 1999 by Italian-based Akarma Records. It includes an additional song from the original sessions, titled "Fortunes", as a bonus track. ''Outsideinside'' reached number 90 on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart. " Just a Little Bit" was the first single from the album; it peaked at number 92 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart.

Background

''Outsideinside'' was produced by Abe "Voco" Kesh and partially engineered by

Eddie Kramer Edwin H. Kramer (born 19 April 1942) is a British recording producer and engineer. He has collaborated with several artists now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppel ...

, who had worked with

the Jimi Hendrix Experience James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

and the Rolling Stones (and later engineered releases by

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

Kiss A kiss is the touch or pressing of one's lips against another person or an object. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, ...

, and others). Some songs were recorded outdoors as well as in the studio. The album's cover painting is by "Arab", and was designed by Gut Turk, a former

Hells Angel The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is a worldwide outlaw motorcycle club whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporati ...

. The album photographs were taken by famed rock photographer Jim Marshall. ''Outsideinside'' was the last record to feature the original Blue Cheer line-up; guitarist

Leigh Stephens Leigh Stephens is an American guitarist and songwriter best known for being former lead guitarist of the San Francisco psychedelic rock group Blue Cheer. Blue Cheer Leigh Stephens has recorded two albums with the band, ''Vincebus Eruptum'' an ...

left the band after the album was released.

Critical reception

In a retrospective review for

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, Mark Deming commented: In a review of the two-for-one reissue of the album (coupled with ''Vincebus Eruptum''), Pitchfork's Alexander Lloyd Linhardt noted, "''Outsideinside'' converts their lue Cheer'sstylistic enthusiasm and leathery attitude into structured song. If it doesn't sound as influential as ''Vincebus's'' cataclysmic insanity, it's because it defines 'classic' rock." Canadian journalist

Martin Popoff Martin Popoff (born April 28, 1963) is a Canadian music journalist, critic and author. He is mainly known for writing about the genre of heavy metal music. The senior editor and co-founder of ''Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles'', he has additionally ...

praised the album where the band "pre-dispose of

Purple Purple is any of a variety of colors with hue between red and blue. In the RGB color model used in computer and television screens, purples are produced by mixing red and blue light. In the RYB color model historically used by painters, pu ...

, thwack the face of

Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

, and generally pound psychedelia into the dirt" and concluded that "by most definitions this ain't heavy metal, but by most measures Blue Cheer stomp over Zep I and II".

Track listing

Details taken from the original Philips LP liner notes; other releases may show different information.

Recording locations

"Outside sessions" *Gate Five, Sausalito, California *Muir Beach, California *

Pier 57 Pier 57 is a long pier located in the Hudson River on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Opened in December 1954, it sits at the end of West 15th Street on Eleventh Avenue (West Side Highway), just south of the Chelsea Piers spor ...

, New York City "Inside sessions" * A&R Studio, New York City *Olmstead Studios, New York City *

Record Plant The Record Plant is a recording studio established in New York City in 1968 and currently operating in Los Angeles, California. Known for innovations in the recording artists' workspace, it has produced highly influential albums, including Blon ...

, New York City * Pacific Recorders, San Mateo, California

Personnel

;Blue Cheer *

guitar *

Dickie Peterson Richard Allan Peterson (September 12, 1946 – October 12, 2009)Paul Whaley Paul Gene Whaley (January 14, 1947 – January 28, 2019) was an American drummer best known as the drummer for rock band Blue Cheer. He was the son of country music singer Paul Edward Whaley. He grew up in the towns of Vallejo and Winters, Califo ...

drums ;Guest musician * Ralph Burns Kelloggkeyboards, organ, reeds ;Production * Abe "Voco" Keshproducer *Hank McGill, Jay Snyder, Tony May,

engineers

References

{{Authority control 1968 albums Blue Cheer albums Philips Records albums