Daevid Allen's University Of Errors: Money Doesn't Make It
(1999)
innerSPACE 7707

A chance meeting between Gong's Daevid Allen and the members of Mushroom
led to the entirely spontaneous formation of 'The University of Errors.'
Literally days later, the tracks archived on "Money Doesn't Make It"
were recorded, and now less than a year later we can all enjoy the results of
this synergistic pairing. The mixing of Daevid's unique word-play
compositions with the improvisational genius of Mushroom's core members
has produced a fine work of art, but one that also has a message and a
heaping of sly humor. Daevid (it doesn't seem right calling him 'Allen') wasn't
blessed with the world's best singing voice, but here he puts on quite
an excellent vocal performance. And even though there is no hint of
synthesizers (or keyboards of any kind) herein, it retains a truly cosmic
feel throughout.

From the opening title track, Daevid gets straight to the point, that
being a general cynicism with modern technology and the commercial hype of the
western world. "Burn your money, free that child. Don't teach children
to work a crooked mind." He delivers these words of wisdom in a somewhat
rappish style against a phased-out rhythm section (?) and Josh Pollock's
psychedelic guitar wizardry. On 'Prince of Sidewalk Scooter,' Submarine
Cap'n Michael Clare lays down a fabulously smooth bassline that seems to
grab up all the other instruments and carry them along on a blanket of
air. Oh, this is a wonderous nine-minute piece, ethereal bits of gliss guitar
sprinkled amongst more inspired ranting from Daevid ending simply with,
"Throw your computer in the trash." How often I get that urge...but the
thing is, my computer is where I write these reviews. Sorry.

>From ranting and rapping, we switch to chanting and incantations for
'False Teacher' and 'Mullimbimby Mother,' as the band jams along to an Eastern
'tune.' Erik Pearson, another Mushroom protagonist, adds some excellent
flute touches to a mix of swirly, often phased (or treated) strums and
drums, and a partially hidden (but inspired) guitar solo from Pollock on
the latter. The latter part of the album is a collection of shorter, more
peculiar bits and pieces, highlighted by the heavier riffing in
'Talkwind Upswerve' and a reprise of the title track. Here, studio trickery
results in a herky-jerky cut-and-splice reading of "Burn Your Money." Effective
way to wrap up 45 minutes of very strong material.

I don't know where this union of Bay Area musicnauts and the 'Astral
Alien' will eventually lead, or even whether it will continue with regularity
(the planned live dates are a promising sign), but this is the strongest
release from the Gong family I've heard in a long while. It's the kind of thing
though that certainly feeds on spontaneity - so I hope future efforts
also happen without any prior planning, as it seems to have worked wonders on
this debut effort. Go out of your way to track this one down, if you can.

Keith Henderson