THE HAPPENINGS/PSYCLE SHA-U 100 (-67) GERMANY

 US New Jersey combo starting as "The Four Graduates" 1961, but changed name after being signed by B.T. Puppy Records. Successful as a cover band, taking known hits and remaking them in their own special style. Between 1966 and 1969 they released three albums, of which this was the second, and during that time also managed nine top 100 45:s on Billboard, where of two - "See You In September" and "I Got Rhythm" got to #3. Listening today one can argue that the style on this album isn't all their own, but sometimes reminding a lot of same period Beach Boys - the harmonies, the adventure and the softness embedding it all. But on the other hand it's all very well done. The harmonies maybe not totally up with Beach Boys though still beautiful enough. And I do get a feeling what it would have sounded like if Brian Wilson and the boys would have chosed to cover Al Jolson's "My Mammy", Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" and the classic "Bye Bye Blackbird". So even if I felt a little distrurbed because of the similarity to Beach Boys at first, now I'm enjoying a very well performed, arranged and produced album with enough twists to entertain. Originally released in US on B.T. Puppy Records in stereo and mono (BTP/S 1003), also in Canada, UK, France, Spain, Downunder and a couple of South American countries. Japan 2019 CD on B.T. Puppy Records (ODR 6839) came with two bonus tracks. First German had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover.  (GÖXÄ*)