Autosalvage

Formed in 1966 by bluegrass fanatic Thomas Donaher and multi-instrumentalist Darius Davenport, Autosalvage was one of the mid-sixties more impressive jug band outfits. Boasting an exceptionally talented line-up, including ex-Ian and Sylvia sideman Rick Turner and bassist Skip Boone (brother of the Lovin' Spoonful's Steve Boone), the band's sound melded authentic jug band moves with rock instrumentation, a sense of enthusiasm and a willingness to expanded into progressive and out of the ordinary directions.

Reportedly dscovered by Frank Zappa while on a visit to New York, with Zappa's support the group was signed by RCA Victor. Their album, Autosalvage offered up one of 1968's odder musical hybrids. Exemplified by original material such as Land Of Their Dreams, Burglar Song and Rampant Generalities the collection featured a weird mixture of Byrds-styled country rock (Rampart Generalities), blues-rock (Good Morning Blues), psychedelia (Auto Salvage) and outright pretense. What made the set truly maddening was the fact that while all four members were undeniably talented, they seldom brought those talents together. Among the few tracks worth hearing more than once were the nifty title effort and the single Parahighway/Rampart Generalities. It all came to little avail since the band called it quits shortly thereafter.

Boone and Davenport subsequently reappeared supporting the short-lived Bear and then as sessions players, including Terence Boylan's 1969 solo album. Rick Turner went on to work with Jerry Corbitt and Jeffrey Cain. He later became a well-known guitar builder/repairer (notably for Ry Cooder).