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The Original Human Being

by Blue Cheer

Released: September 16, 1970

Psychedelic rock, blues rock, hard rock, country rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

"The Original Human Being" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blue Cheer. The album features the band's longest recorded song, a 12-minute jam entitled "Babaji (Twilight Raga)." Notably, it also includes the track "Good Times Are So Hard to Find," which became a moderate radio hit for the band and remains one of their most popular songs. "The Original Human Being" is characterized by its move away from the blues-oriented hard rock that Blue Cheer had been known for, which initially gained them considerable attention, towards a more experimental sound.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album shows the band moving into a…

The album shows the band moving into a more psychedelic and progressive rock style, incorporating brass and string orchestral arrangements.

It was released in October 1970 by Philips…

It was released in October 1970 by Philips Records.

Band members responsible for this album were Dickie…

Band members responsible for this album were Dickie Peterson, Bruce Stephens, Ralph Burns Kellogg, and Norman Mayell.

The orchestra arrangements were done by some of…

The orchestra arrangements were done by some of the band members as well.

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Essential Tracks

Good Times Are So Hard To Find

Babaji

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Explore the Album

Blue Cheer - The Original Human Being

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Then

Reception

Despite its significant stylistic departure, critics and fans alike have since come to regard "The Original Human Being" as a cult classic within the Blue Cheer discography. Despite the radio success of "Good Times Are So Hard to Find," the album itself did not fare as well on the charts, reaching only #160 on the Billboard 200.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Original Human Being" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blue Cheer. It was released in October 1970 by Philips Records. The album shows the band moving into a more psychedelic and progressive rock style, incorporating brass and string orchestral arrangements.

The album features the band's longest recorded song, a 12-minute jam entitled "Babaji (Twilight Raga)." Notably, it also includes the track "Good Times Are So Hard to Find," which became a moderate radio hit for the band and remains one of their most popular songs. Despite the radio success of "Good Times Are So Hard to Find," the album itself did not fare as well on the charts, reaching only #160 on the Billboard 200.

Band members responsible for this album were Dickie Peterson, Bruce Stephens, Ralph Burns Kellogg, and Norman Mayell. The orchestra arrangements were done by some of the band members as well.

"The Original Human Being" is characterized by its move away from the blues-oriented hard rock that Blue Cheer had been known for, which initially gained them considerable attention, towards a more experimental sound. Despite its significant stylistic departure, critics and fans alike have since come to regard "The Original Human Being" as a cult classic within the Blue Cheer discography.