I can't speak for every Rascals fan, but even sales and chart position would indicate that they, like me, gave up on the band after "Freedom Suite." Last week, I couldn't sing a note off of 1971's "Search And Nearness." But thanks to a new boxed set from Cherry Red imprint Now Sounds called "It's Wonderful: The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings," this all but forgotten record, at least in my household, has been given some new life.
"Search And Nearness," though only three years on in terms of recording from the summertime sounds of 1967's "Collections," sounds more like a record Steely Dan might have released between "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam." The surprising thing is that it works.
The Rascals' hits collection "Time/Peace" is a hard act to follow. But I wonder if "Search And Nearness," a solid set of blue eyed soul and occasionally jazzed up R&B, had been the debut release from this band, it could have reached a little higher than #198 on the Billboard charts. This record is a lot better than that.
This was a somewhat bitter affair, as Eddie Brigati left the band before its release. He is barely on the cover, seen only as a superimposed image in the window of the building behind the other band members. But all four Rascals, Felix, Gene, Dino and Eddie, serve up something worth paying attention to. "Search And Nearness" is a terrific rediscovery... for me. Maybe it will be for you...too.
11 comments:
Sounds really interesting, but what I really want is a high quality video version of “Rascals on Broadway.”😎
Early Rascals used to rule with tracks like I ain't gonna eat ..., Come on up or even Good lovin'. From the the moment they recorded Groovin', they were finished as a great R n'B band. An evolution that dogged Mitch Ryder, Chicago or J.Geils Band for instance. Not always those bands' fault though, labels' commercial concerns being very important here of course.
At the dawn of the CD era, I bought the double cd "The Ultimate Rascals." I knew every song on the first cd, but not so much on second cd. I soon discovered all of the wonderful songs that I missed by abandoning the band after "People Gotta Be Free."
Now I have the full collection of CDs and first four LPs. I lost about 15 or so years of enjoyment by entering my hippie phase and leaving those great records behind.
i'm curious what the liners say was the reason for the change. I always figured it was Felix taking over and wanting to appeal to a hipper crowd. one my end, i liked "Peaceful World" but knowing it was the Rascals created a kind of disconnect.
I think there's also some good stuff on their last Atlantic album, "Search And Nearness". Here's "Almost Home".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT9XlQi0yew
@guypinot
"I think there's also some good stuff on their last Atlantic album, "Search And Nearness". Here's "Almost Home"."
That's what this whole post is about.
The Steely Dan comparison is spot on. Was not aware of this album. I'm digging this. Thank you very much for bringing it to our attention. You did it again, Sal!
As much as I hate to, I must respectfully disagree. At one time I owned all of the Rascals post-pop jazz/gospel/blues records, but only Peaceful World ever did it for me. Time Peace is an indispensable classic, and Freedom Suite and Peaceful World are good. See, Search and Nearness, and The Island of Real really don't cut it. The transition from great soul/pop band to weak-assed jazz wannabes is a fascinating bit of failed rebranding. My take is here:
https://kleaveburg.blogspot.com/2012/05/young-rascals-1966-1972.html
I listened to "See" earlier. It's weak. But Cleveland Jeff, you didn't mention the two best songs- "See" and "Away Away." I think "Search & Nearness" is far better than that record.
Maybe the problem is that they were such an amazing blue-eyed soul band. How they ever thought they could become a jazz/rock band and keep their fans was just hubris.
And yes, Search and Nearness may well be better than See, but that's not much of a hurdle.
I'm gonna have to agree. I actually really liked the first album (double album i think)on Columbia Peaceful World which had some serious session cats playing as well.
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