Federal Duck - Federal Duck (Radioactive Records) 1968

The album, which was recorded in New York, is not greatly acclaimed although there are some good tracks including the mellow psychedelia of Tomorrow Waits For Today and Peace In My Mind. The outstanding track, however, is Bird with strong out-there vocals and a jazzy piano solo. In 1969, George Stavis and Timmy Ackerman recorded an album for Vanguard. In 1970 Stavis, Ackerman, Stern and Bowers formed a new band Oganookie in Santa Cruz, California with Bruce Frye. Oganookie released a great country psych album in 1973, and about half the members backed up Bruce Frye in 1974 on a local Santa Cruz compilation album. (Fuzz, Acid & Flowers).

Federal Duck made its appearance on the Musicor label in 1968. Formed by banjo exponent George Stavis, Federal Duck (named after the Federal Duck Stamp Program which was enacted by conserv/nist Jay “Ding” Darling and US President Franklin D Roosevelt in 1934), produced this lone musical effort which, once you get past the absurd cover, contains a consistently good album which is mildly jazzy, has some fine bass and an ever present darkish vibe. There are a few upbeat mold-breaking songs (one even sounds like the Holy Modal Rounders) but generally a soft-psych feel pervades throughout. It is interesting to speculate as to how Federal Duck ended up on the Musicor label, whose other acts included far more illustrious artists such as Gene Pitney, The Platters and George Jones. However, the relationship was destined to last for just the one album, with Stavis departing soon after to form the Californian communal rock band Oganookie and then to record an eponymous album for Vanguard. Although there really isn’t that much information about Federal Duck out there, the general consensus is that this is an album that deserves greater recognition than it has hitherto received....(Georgie Hirezola)

Federal Duck were Ken Stover (piano-organ-tuba), Jack Bowers (guitar-dulcimer-recorders), George Stavis (guitars-vocals), Huck White (guitars-french horn-recorders), Timmy ackerman (drums-conga-percussion), Bob Stern (bass-vocals), and Tony Shaftel (bass-vocal) with Thesha Dow (triangle).
The bizarrely-named Federal Duck made its appearance on the Musicor label in 1968. Formed by banjo exponent George Stavis, Federal Duck (named after the Federal Duck Stamp Program which was enacted by conservationist Jay "Ding" Darling and US President Franklin D Roosevelt in 1934) produced this lone musical effort which, once you get past the absurd cover, is a consistently good album that is mildly jazzy, wtih some fine bass and an ever-present darkish vibe. allmusic.com

Tracklist:
01.Knowing that I loved you so
02.Easy virtue blues
03.Tomorrow waits for today
04.Just like the snow
05.Bird
06.Hello
07.While you're away
08.Peace in my mind
09.Just a band
10.Friday morning
11.Dawn comes slow
12.Ain't gonna be nobody to sing the blues
13.Circus in the sea

Federal Duck:
Timmy Ackerman - drums, conga, percussion
Jack Bowers - guitar, dulcimer
Tony Shaftel - bass. vocal
George Stavis - guitars, vocals
Bob Stern - bass, vocals
Ken Stover - piano, organ, tuba
Huck White - guitars, french horn
Thesha Dow - triangle