Once upon a time...

It was here,

and then gone,

the last one,

where could it be?

Many years ago, in a remote part of central Massachusetts, a group of young men and women gathered together in a secluded recording studio called Long View Farm to listen to; and witness new recordings being performed by one of the heretofore unknown superstars of the 60’s folk rock legends. The tracks that were being recorded were part of a new secret, but highly rumored and anticipated concept LP vinyl recording to be released later in fall of 1967. Over a period of 12 days in April, all the tracks were recorded and mixed. The result was nothing short of fantastic. It was anticipated that this album would be one of the seminal records and recordings of that era. The working title for the album was “Mystic Journey”.

But then there was June 1, 1967; and everything changed. The event was the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Mystic Journey was lost and forgotten in the pandemonium and hoopla of what has long been considered the greatest rock album ever recorded. And Mystic Journey was never released; a historic recording that fell victim to the mass hysteria of the Beatles.

And from those recording sessions at Long View, all of the various tapes and copies began to disappear or be destroyed. They were all but forgotten; and what might have been. But from those first sessions, a few test pressings were made of Mystic Journey album on what was called “Acetates” which could then be sent to radio stations or record companies to review or promote a soon to be released record album. These acetate records were one of a kind and very fragile. They were not nearly as strong or durable or high quality as the real LP records that would follow. They were just temporary, test pressings that could quickly be sent out for inspection or reaction.

A few years ago, some research was done to determine if any of the acetates from Mystic Journey sessions had been saved. All of the master tapes were long gone. Through a great deal of research and interview with all those who were present at the original recording sessions, it was determined that 3 acetates had been produced for the prospective album. And now, it was found that there was only 1 remaining copy of Mystic Journey in existence on acetate or in any other form.

This one last recorded evidence and document of what might have been one of the all time great rock albums was found by sheer accident for sale at the Hubbardston Flea Market, not too far from the Long View Farm Studios. The flimsy, thin, old plastic disk was purchased for an unbelievable 25 cents from the “last chance” bin at one of the tables there at the flea market. The recording quality has diminished, but the essence of this great, ground breaking project could still be heard...