Fast and furious, with incendiary guitars, this one is a radically different version of the P F Sloan track covered by the Grass Roots (q.v.), and it's half of my favourite pair of song-that-was-covered-by-two-artists-differently. They didn't have much else, although "Transparent Day" is pretty good, but the third LP is just bad country-flavoured pop to my ears.
from West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Vol. 1 (Reprise), available on CD (Sundazed)
A dramatic arrangement of a often-covered song by a couple of guys whose names I see elsewhere on this site in several places. Lenny Waronker was the producer.
The band, from San Fran, was best known for its hit cover of Stephen Stills "Sit Down I Think I Love You", which is described as "a whirring music box" in the CD liner notes and indeed it blew away the dull original. "Me About You" meanwhile was covered by the Lovin' Spoonful among others.
available on CD - Sit Down It's The Mojo Men (Sundazed)
An amazing trippy piece of social commentary, from their genius concept LP. The opening track, and it goes all over the place with this completely mad arrangement by Chad Stuart, and produced by Gary Usher (of "Pet Sounds" fame). The track seems to pertain to mortality, and the sad truth of time and the forgotten... It sets the tone for the whole album, which seems inspired by atmosphere of the time, when singles were exchanged for huge concept pieces, more likely due to the success of "Sgt. Peppers" and the like, but taking a much more delightfully cynical view! A sometimes overlooked part of the britpop puzzle, Chad and Jeremy are full of surprises.
from Of Cabbages & Kings (Columbia CS 5471
CS 5471
CS 5471), available on CD (Sundazed)
The Duprees are an Italian doo wop group, that started performing in the early 60`s. "You belong to me" was their first 1-million-seller and a top ten hit in 1962. Jo Stufford`s ballad was previously recorded by Dean Martin (and others) but the recording of The Duprees is remarkable a�s well. It is an excellent cover version with outstanding vocal harmonies that make it worth listening!