Vinyl-a-Day 31: Mark Levine - Pilgrim’s Progress (Hogfat, 1968)

Pretty scarce, private press acid folk-rock album by Mark LeVine from 1968. It’s clear that Levine fancied himself as something along the same lines as “Bringing It All Back Home” era Dylan, the Fairport Convention, Al Stewart and Peter Starstedt. The album features musical contributions from session players like Ry Cooder, who was fresh off of Captain Beefheart’s “Safe As Milk” and the Wrecking Crew’s Mike Deasy. The highlight is the catchy opening track “Going to the Country.” The rest of the album isn’t quite as memorable but it’s one of those albums that’s worth experiencing as a curio and for a few standout moments.