Chamaelon Church - Chamaelon Church
	Released: 1968/2002 Label: MGM / Akarma Records Cat. No.: AK 130 Total Time: 35:54
	Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, September 2002 The story of this album may come as a surprise to many of you. It taught me a few things I did not know. The Chamaeleon Church LP was released in 1968. A young man by the name of Chevy Chase played keyboards and percussion on the recording. Chase would move on to Saturday Night Live, feature comedy films, and enjoy a completely productive career outside of music. I do remember Chase playing the drums in the Spies Like Us video on MTV several years ago but I never gave it any more thought -- until now. Chamaelon Church back cover; Scheuren is at the immediate left, Chase is third from the left This music is archetypal period rock music. In fact, it is all very Beatlesque. There are harpsichords, flutes, and a decidedly psychedelic flavor and atmosphere. It is my understanding, from research on the web I conducted, that Tony Scheuren was the lead vocalist for the band. He sounded very much influenced by the Fab 4, and who wasn't during that time? They were so big and their sound so worldly accepted, it was only natural to gravitate towards an earnest emulation of their sound. Many groups copied the mop tops, some were good and others were not so good. This one group did a nice job doing so; although they may have not been trying to, for all I know. In any instance, they certainly reminded me of them. I enjoyed the dreamy vocals and exceptional musicianship on every song. The mixture is effective with the usage of guitars and keyboards, leading the way into rock and pop jewels with an opium den haze surrounding it. Everything about this LP is 1968... the music, the cover art, which rather reminds me of Andy Warhol's Campbell's Tomato Soup can art because of the similarities with the use of the electric colors, and for the most part, the running time of the songs. It is always nice to reminisce. It is even better when you can continue to discover bands that you never heard before and really enjoy the listen. Rating: 4/5 [The Tony Scheuren/Chevy Chase association didn't end with the dissolution of Chamaelon Church however, as both toured in National Lampoon's "Lemmings" in 1973-1974 and worked together on other National Lampoon projects. Scheuren passed away in October 1993. - ed.] More about Chamaelon Church: Track Listing: Side One: Come Into Your Life (2:15) / Camillia Is Changing (4:13) / Spring This Year (4:19) / Blueberry Pie (3:27) / Flowers In The Field (2:25) Side Two: Here's A Song (1:57) / In A Kindly Way (3:05) / Tompkins Square Park (3:04) / Picking Up The Pieces (2:07) / Off With The Old (4:21) / Bonus Tracks: Ready, Eddie? (2:48) / Your Golden Love (3:13) Musicians: Chevy Chase - vocals, piano, drumset, percussion, organ, roxichord Ted Myers - vocals, guitar Tony Scheuren - vocals, guitar, electric bass, harpsichord Kyle Garrahan - vocals, electric bass, solo guitar, piano Contact: Website: beaconagency.com (Tony Scheuren) Note: will open new browser window Discography Chamaelon Church (1968/2002)
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