The first gem of discovery found in the new edition of "The White Label Promo Preservation Society" is a 1967 record from Nino Tempo & April Stevens, the brother and sister duo who climbed the charts with soft pop hits like "Deep Purple" and "I Love How You Love Me."
Writer Dan Epstein describes the album "All Strung Out" as one of the "druggiest albums ever made." Now, I don't want to just pull quotes from his essay. You should buy the book and experience the same fun I am having. But I will say this. I enjoyed every track, from the sunshine pop bliss of the David Gates-penned opener "You'll Be Needing Me, Baby," to the last, "The Habit Of Loving You," which is featured as the Song Of The Day and owes more than a little to the Righteous Brothers. A number of tracks, including the Top 40 title track, sound like Phil Spector might have been holding them hostage.
But back to the drugs. It's hard to ignore the tracklist:
"You'll Be Needing Me Baby"
"Help You To See"
"All Strung Out"
"Follow Me"
"Alone Alone"
"I Can't Go On Living"
"Bye Bye Blues"
It doesn't take Baruch Spinoza to figure out the theme here. The production and the arrangements offer a little something to the left of the usual soft pop fare associated with Nino & April, and with a little imagination, can also be deemed psychedelic.
This is a smart record and without question, a forgotten 60's gem of pop music, owing more to the sounds found on some of The Monkees later records, as well as both the Mamas & The Papas or the Spoonful.
6 comments:
Very cool stuff.
The only Southern California station that I remember who gave this track heavy airplay was Orange County's KWIZ. Probably because it had an all request Top 40 format which led to some off beat things in rotation. I couldn't pick up the station in Berdoo, but it came in loud and clear when I went to the Beach Cities (often-multiple times a week).
Two of the three tracks you put up, including the awesome "All Strung Out" were produced by Jerry Riopelle. Nice job. Got this album a year or two after it came out. I got it at one of those old-school music stores that sold instruments, sheet music, radios and stereos and records. The store was named after its owner Rudi Pok. He was a nice guy but he didn't keep up with the times. He went broke after quite a while in business. He blew out his old stock at fire sale prices. Got the Watchband - No Way Out record that day too, plus Gentle Reign.
Thanks for putting this up and bringing back the memories. It's the best thing they ever did. Unexpectedly great. I concur with you 100 per cent. I was never happy with the pressing on the White Whale LP. Even though I came to later find out it was pressed at Monarch, it wasn't great. When the CD came out I procured it and its largely worthless bonus tracks.
Different song, but the Persuaders All Strung Out On You is a fave. Even the Chambers Brothers. Long as it's not Travolta.
We had ourselves a Todd-fest out by the pool last night. Played the albums and sang along in reverie till just now. Getting off on Todd is like a religious experience (maybe like Healing for you). Makes you wanna get in that choir and go to church. The First United Church of the Cosmic Smorgasbord. You ever see Todd do Sons of 1984? Got some stories about that one.
When I was in college I met this guy who was studying to be a minister. He swore off tobacco, drink, pot, sex, the whole bit. But he was curious about acid. By the way, this future preacher could play every complex lick that Steve Howe laid down on record. He was dedicated and practiced every day. When I met him, Relayer had just come out and he was teaching himself to play the epic Gates of Delirium. The dumb shit lived in the dorms and we dropped L in his dorm room. While we were tripping we started talking about hom much we both loved Todd. I told him my name was on the poster inside. He said his was too. Imagine trying to figure where your name is on the poster when you're frying. We eventually gave up and went with the flow. I brought Gong (You) and Tangerine Dream's Phaedra :).
We played A Wizard A True Star too. But later.
Gotta get some sleep.
VR
Really enjoy the heck out of the book. It's a great resource and anyone who spent an inordinate amount of time in records stores it brings back a lot of memories. You chose a good one to use as an example. Was listening to Grass Roots doing Dylan's Ballad of a Thin Man and wondering with technology changing so fast are we now the Mr. Jones. You know something is happening ...
My first find in the new edition of the White Label book -- where musicians and writers pick a favorite "obscure" album -- was Tucky Buzzard, a 70s rock band. Familiar with them? It was fun though not great necessarily on first spin. But Tempo & Stevens (maybe they should have called themselves April Tempo? Tempo & Stevens? Tempo really is a great name for a recording artist.) is pretty darn great. For me, the closer "The Habit Of Loving You Baby" is the killer -- it's just waiting for Quentin Tarantino to use in his next film. It would have been perfect for Trainspotting.... But a fun, strong album with only a few tracks keeping it from perfect for me. Oh and "Wings Of Love" really should credit Solomon Linda of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" for the vocal riff they use. :)
Oh and is it 1966 or 1967? Wikipedia has it as 1966.
Now this is great!
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