This Canadian-only import is the companion to Blossom Toes, Vol. 1, containing their second album, If Only for a Moment (1969). The sound quality of this title easily matches the first and is notable as the only CD pressing to come from a tape rather than vinyl source. The band shed their hippie-dippy image in favor of a more aggressive and almost heavy metal sound. The personnel has also been tweaked to include future session heavies Barry Reeves and Poli Palmer (percussion) as well as guest Shawn Phillips (12-string acoustic guitar/sitar) on one of the album's more pop-oriented pieces, Just Above My Hobby Horse Head, which also is notable for the Brian Belshaw lead vocal that uncannily sounds like Richie Havens. The centerpiece is a pair of extended works. Love Bomb is reminiscent of Country Joe the Fish's trippy and languid instrumental Section 43, while the anti-establishment sentiment in Billy Boo the Gunman is full of rhythmic syncopation and features the duo lead guitar work of Jim Cregan and Brian Godding. Both tracks stretch over seven minutes and contain some of the best instrumental work on the album. Equally as impressive is Indian Summer, which takes on a progressive rock attitude and is once again highlighted by the complex and intricate fretwork from the pairing of Cregan and Godding. The two distinct sections are likened to the early works of the Soft Machine. Unfortunately, the band would not record together again -- although an album titled New Day: Blossom Toes '70 by B.B. Blunder would reunite Godding and Belshaw. In effect, If Only for a Moment is an apt indication of the direction that the reincarnation would take. The duo would likewise resurface backing up Godding's sister-in-law, Julie Driscoll (nee Julie Tippett), on several of her early-'70s solo efforts. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi

1		Peace Loving Man
2		Kiss of Confusion
3		Listen to the Silence
4		Love Bomb
5		Billy Boo the Gunman
6		Indian Summer
7		Just Above My Hobby Horse Head
8		Wait a Minute

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