Rick Saucedo – Heaven Was Blue

did someone really pay $80,000 for this LP? is that the most expensive album ever sold?

This album is simply one of the greatest private press LPs ever, to my ears. It's monstrously psychedelic (Saucedo said that the title track was inspired by an acid trip), and quite impressively assembled by a top-notch professional musician, who recorded it with only hours between flights to various stage performances, while apparently being fueled mostly by adrenaline and blow. There's no mindless jamming here, just a very poignant message presented in nearly perfect form from the artist's deepest conscience. From the opening notes of "Reality" one is immediately drawn into Saucedo's incredible soundscapes, which he somehow managed to create by overdubbing himself with almost no studio or musical assistance. The two rock 'n' rollers "Country Shakin' - History Makin'" and "Ka Mon We're Gonna Rock All Night Long" are totally out of place but so easily overpowered by the immense beauty of the rest of this album that they're not even worth mentioning.

There are three existing mixes of this album. The original LP mix (bootlegged in rather poor sound on the Underground Masters CD) has never been reissued from tapes. The side-length title track did appear from the original mix on the 2007 CD (from which the Guerssen 2LP set was also sourced), but in fact this is from a dynamically compressed MP3 of a heavily de-clicked vinyl rip, and is easily beat out by the sound of the original LP. This is unfortunate, as the original LP mix will likely be preferred by most for its huge dynamics and "natural" sound which perfectly matches the incredible psychedelic atmosphere of this recording.

The album's A-side on the aforementioned reissues is a remix which emulates to some extent the original mix, but has some noticeable differences which a discerning ear will notice. It also unfortunately suffered dynamic range compression and limiting. The third and final mix was issued only once on the 2013 CD, which adds some additional vocal overdubs and instrumental tracks, which sound very good and were done quite well. In fact this is the only real competition with the original LP mix and is definitely worth hearing, but it's really a slightly different presentation, as the additional horns on the title track sound a bit jumpy, whereas the original feels more flowing and smooth. These two remixes are necessary to hear the amazing "Oh My God," which was intended to conclude the "Reality" / "In My Mind" suite but cut off by Saucedo's producer. Circulating digital versions often replace the two rockers with this track, making the "perfect" complete version of this great album.

At any rate, any fan of psychedelic music will love this album. It sounds great laying stoned out in the wilderness with headphones while starring at the stars, thinking about life and death and what it all means. This album is often compared to the album from Michael Angelo, but 'Heaven Was Blue' has way more emotive flavor for me, in addition to being a much better recording. If you can find an original LP, do not hesitate to snatch it up as fast as possible -- you won't be disappointed.