JOHN PHILLIPS/JOHN THE WOLFKING OF L.A. DS 50077 (-70) US

John Philips (1935-2001) is today to many probably most known as prominent member of The Mamas & The Papas, but besides that he worked as songwriter for and promotor of other artist and was also one of the persons behind the Monterey festival. Among his early compositions are "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" for Scott McKenzie and "Me And My Uncle" which was recorded by Judy Collins and Grateful Dead among others. After The Mamas & The Papas broke up 1968 he started to withdraw from the limelight and getting severe drug problems with himself being convicted for drug trafficking early eighties. Withdrawn or not he still seems to have been quite busy post M&P. Besides co-writing Beach Boys hit "Komoko" and part of the soundtrack for "The Man Who Fell Into Earth" , producing the "Brewster McCloud" movie and trying to revive M&P with new members he also went on to record an album with parts of The Rolling Stones 1973 - a project that was hampered and crashed due to his increasing drug use and the remains stayed unissued till released as ""Pay Pack & Follow" 2001 on Eagle label. In the midst of all that he only recorded one original solo album and this is it. All songs self-penned, produced by Lou Adler and backed by The Wrecking Crew. I get nothing immediately striking or downright catchy. A collection of country ballads mostly dealing with personal stuff. But once you're there it is a nice place to be. Soft, friendly and very cool, not only making it a good background to idle moments but also a suitable surrounding when piping down in the listening chair. Favorite tracks - "Captain" and "Someone's Sleeping". Originally released on Dunhill also in Canada, while the UK, German, New Zealand and South African came on Stateside. US 2006 CD on Varese Sarabande (CVV-6752) came with eight bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here and glossy cover with Dunhill ad inner. (YZÄ*)