“In The Cradle Of Love/Freeway”
by The Happy Hour Band
2002 song
The Happy Hour Band recorded "In The Cradle Of Love/Freeway" in ca. 2000, and released it on the limited 2003 CD Happy Now. The Happy Hour Band consisted of Sky Saxon and Djin Aquarian plus a game rhythm section.
"In The Cradle Of Love/Freeway" is another long psychedelic-tinged jam, the longest on the album at 16 minutes. It begins with a wall of fearsome psych noise, before the band settles into a sprightly groove and Sky meanders through some lyrics like a burnout Billy Idol: “rock me in the cradle of love…”
David Phillips’ bass is especially bouncy and melodic, and gives the track much of its dynamism. "In The Cradle Of Love/Freeway" also features a 60s-style cheesy keyboard, and when the band really cranks it up (and oh, they do!) they sound like a zonked-out “Sister Ray” without the heroin and the orgy.
Like much of the rest of the album, "In The Cradle Of Love/Freeway" is mainly a one-chord jam, and when Sky responds to a change in the band’s musical feeling with on-the-spot lyrics about highways and freeways, that one chord becomes scarier and much more urgent. Whip it on me, Jim!
The Happy Hour Band was well advised to put this performance last on the album — it’s exhausting and exhilarating, and nothing could follow it. Sky, Djin, and band bottled some real magical music on this track. Get it and experience it!
