Bakery - Rock Mass for Love (1971)

Bakery - Rock Mass for Love (1971)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Bakery were an Australian progressive hard rock band formed in 1970 in Perth. The original line-up was Hank Davis on drums (ex-Avengers, a New Zealand band), Mal Logan on keyboards (ex-Rebels), Eddie McDonald on bass guitar (Avengers), Peter Walker on guitar (Jelly Roll Bakers) and John Worrall on vocals and flute. They released two albums on Astor Records, Rock Mass for Love (August 1971) and Momento (August 1972) and had a Perth hit with "No Dying in the Dark". Bakery appeared at the Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1973 and disbanded in early 1975.

Bakery Band Members / Musicians

Hank Davis – drums, vocals (1970–1975)

Mal Logan – keyboards (1970)

Eddie McDonald – bass guitar (1970–1972)

Peter Walker – guitar, vocals (1970–1975)

John Worrall –vocals, flute (1970)

Rex Bullen – keyboards (1970–1972)

Tom Davidson – vocals (1970–1971)

Mark Verschuer – vocals (1971–1972)

Steve Hogg – bass guitar, vocals (1972–1975)

Paul Ewing – organ, vocals (1972–1974)

Barry Leef – vocals (1972–1975)

Phil Lawson – bass guitar (1973)

Jackie Orszaczky – bass guitar (1973–1975)

Bakery Discography Full

1971 Rock Mass for Love

1972 Momento

Bakery – Rock Mass for Love (1971): Psychedelic Rock Meets Spiritual Experimentation

Released in 1971, Rock Mass for Love is a landmark album by the Canadian band Bakery, a group that emerged from Vancouver’s vibrant late-1960s rock scene. Known for blending psychedelic rock, progressive textures, and spiritual themes, this debut album captures the experimental energy of the era, merging rock instrumentation with thematic explorations of love, faith, and transcendence.

Rock Mass for Love stands as a rare example of a conceptual rock album inspired by religious motifs, yet firmly rooted in psychedelic and progressive rock traditions. Its ambitious vision, combined with skilled musicianship, gave Bakery a cult following despite limited commercial success.

Band Background and Formation

Bakery was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1968, initially emerging from the local club scene and college circuits. Their early sound drew from psychedelia, British progressive rock, and North American folk-rock, resulting in a style that was simultaneously experimental and accessible.

The band quickly developed a reputation for musical proficiency, melodic inventiveness, and adventurous live performances. Rock Mass for Love was their first official album, capturing their energetic experimentation and spiritual curiosity in a studio context.

Musical Style and Sound

The album blends multiple genres, creating a distinctive Canadian progressive-psychedelic sound:

• Psychedelic rock

• Progressive rock arrangements

• Folk-rock harmonies

• Organ and keyboard-driven textures

• Extended instrumental passages

The album emphasizes dynamic shifts, intricate guitar work, and melodic vocals, with occasional church-inspired organ motifs reinforcing the “mass” theme. The production reflects early 1970s experimentation—warm but slightly raw, capturing the energy of live performance.

Tracklist Overview

1. Introduction

2. Rock Mass for Love

3. Celebration

4. Prayer

5. Anthem

6. Meditation

7. Finale

The album functions almost as a single continuous suite, alternating between lyrical pieces and instrumental explorations, creating a cohesive conceptual experience.

Standout Tracks

“Rock Mass for Love”

The title track sets the tone for the album, blending psychedelic guitar riffs, swirling organ, and choral-inspired vocal lines. It embodies the album’s central concept: using rock as a vehicle for spiritual reflection.

“Prayer”

A slower, meditative track that showcases Bakery’s ability to combine minimalism with emotional resonance. Its organ passages and ethereal vocals create a sense of ritualistic intimacy.

“Celebration”

One of the more upbeat moments on the album, featuring folk-infused melodies and driving rhythm, demonstrating the band’s versatility and melodic sensibility.

Lyrical Themes

The lyrics on Rock Mass for Love explore:

• Love as a spiritual force

• Celebration and community

• Transcendence and meditation

• The intersection of faith and modern life

While the album’s concept references religious ritual, it is inclusive and metaphorical, reflecting the era’s interest in spiritual exploration, unity, and psychedelic consciousness.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• The album was produced locally in Vancouver and reflects the city’s early progressive rock scene.

• Rock Mass for Love was designed as a concept album, rare for Canadian rock bands of the time.

• Bakery performed “Rock Mass for Love” live in select church venues and campus auditoriums.

• The album’s experimental approach influenced later Canadian progressive and psychedelic acts.

• Original vinyl pressings are highly collectible among prog-rock enthusiasts.

Did You Know?

• Bakery’s debut album was one of the earliest Canadian albums to blend psychedelic rock with a spiritual concept.

• Though never a major commercial hit, it became a cult classic in Canadian prog circles.

• The band later shifted toward more conventional rock in subsequent releases.

• “Rock Mass for Love” inspired a generation of Canadian musicians exploring concept-driven albums.

• The album features a combination of rock instrumentation and choral vocal arrangements, unusual for its time.

Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums

Rock Mass for Love had limited commercial success outside of Vancouver and parts of Canada but established Bakery as a serious and experimental act. Its cult reputation has grown steadily over decades among collectors and prog-rock enthusiasts.

Bakery’s best-known releases include:

• Rock Mass for Love (1971) – Debut concept album

• Bakery (1972) – More conventional rock-focused album

• Last Time Around (1973) – Showcasing tighter songwriting and melodic rock

These albums collectively document the band’s evolution from experimental psychedelia to melodic progressive rock.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Bakery remains a rare example of Canadian psychedelic/progressive rock from the early 1970s that combined conceptual ambition with accessible melodies. Rock Mass for Love is often cited by collectors as a hidden gem of the era.

The album demonstrates that Canadian bands were capable of producing music comparable to British and American progressive rock, blending innovation with emotional depth.

Most Famous Songs by Bakery

• Rock Mass for Love

• Celebration

• Prayer

• Anthem

• Meditation

While the band never achieved mass-market hits, these tracks are highly regarded among prog-rock aficionados and Canadian rock historians.

Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)

• Rock Mass for Love (1971)

• Bakery (1972)

• Last Time Around (1973)

• Moments (1974)

Band Timeline

• Formed: 1968, Vancouver, Canada

• Years active: 1968–1974

• Status: Disbanded

Keywords

Bakery Rock Mass for Love 1971 album, Canadian psychedelic rock albums, Rock Mass for Love review, Bakery discography, 1970s progressive rock Canada, hidden gem prog albums, spiritual rock albums 1970s