THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/20 SUPER HITS 6.23487 AP (-78) GERMANY

 One of those compilations that may come somewhat cheapish to the eye and often found in the lower priced bins, but turns out to be a real gem. If you're a vinyl lover that haven't heard them before, fancy catchy melodic music with lots of warmth and see this for sale - don't hesitate. Lovin' Spoonful was one of the most successful US bands in the sixties, recording a substantial string of international hits in just a couple of years, and here you get most of their absolutely best with very fine audio. Personally I love it. Listening through today awakes so many memories and I'm still touched by the melodies after all this time. Big smile. Of course there are many other vinyl compilations from this band, some closer to the fact, but few this comprehensive. To pick out favourites here would be to go through most of the tracks, so you get them if you check the song list. But to mention a few - "Do You Believe In Magic?", "Darling Be Home Soon", "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?", "She's Still A Mystery" and "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice". The only one I miss here is "Younger Girl", though that can be found elsewhere. To my knowledge this was on German vinyl only, but spread over the European continent as imports. First had label as shown here in a thin fully laminated cover. (GÖXÄ*) (JÖV*)

                                                                                      

                                                                              

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

 

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK) KLP 402 (-67) UK MONO

 

Soundtrack to a Francis Ford Coppola movie I haven't seen and probably won't in the foreseeable future. But since all the music is written by John Sebastian and part of it performed by Lovin' Spoonful it can be heard as a regular band album, also suggested by the title. As such it may not be their best, excused and explained by the music had to follow the film plot which meant controlled creativity rather than free artistry. As I haven't seen the movie the orchestral instrumentals don't mean that much to me, though there are a few cuts making it worth while. "Darling Be Home Soon" so soft and melodic it's always been one of my favorites from the band and the title song, "Girl, Beautiful Girl" and "Wash Her Away" are all perky and happy enough for smiles. Audio shifts a little between tracks, but all good or at least ok. So not the all Lovin' Spoonful project that the sleeve may suggest, but you do get a fair amount of group effort and I guess that and the sleeve pics are enough for any true band fan. Premiere US on Kama Sutra (KLP/KLPS 8058 ST). Also originally released in Canada, Downunder, South Africa and a couple of European countries. Japan 2008 mini-LP CD on Buddha Records (BVCM 35455). First UK had ridged label as shown here on thick heavy vinyl in a laminated flip/back cover.   (ZÖNT*) (JÖV*)

                                                                                 

                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                               

 

BEST OF THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL KLP 403 (-67) UK MONO

Great compilation. Most songs sounds true original to me, but "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" is very weak here with vocals buried in the mix, and I don't remember that from the '45 version. As I get from the Steve Hoffman music forum the US issue have the same problem, so this UK mono is probably the US tapes straight on (US: Kama Sutra KLP8056). First UK with label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (JÖV*)

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC KLP 8050 (-65) US MONO

 

One of my favorite US sixties bands and one I always try to buy original issues from if I can find them. The striking melodies to kind lyrics perfomed in a positive way always work when I need an uplift. This was their debute album. Containing five traditional tunes arranged by the band, one cover each of a Fred Neil and a Phil Sector song, all well performed in a jug-bandish style. Though what really gets me here are the John Sebastian-penned "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind", "Younger Girl", "Do You Believe In Magic" and "On The Road Again". All four pop classics in my book, still touching me after all those years. Mixing self-penned with traditional songs and cover versions sometimes leads to uneven results, but there are no such problems here. It all flows melodic and catchy, good to the ears all through. Listening as I write this with a big smile on my face. Issued and reissued all over the world through the years on vinyl and CD, also US 4-track, 8-track and Play Tape. First UK on Pye International (NPL 28069). EU 2002 CD on Buddah (74465 99730 2) came with five bonus tracks. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with picture inner.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*) (JÖV*)

                                                                                

                                                                                

   

                                                                             

                                                                                    

                                                                                 

                                                                                

 

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL/DAYDREAM NPL 28078 (-66) UK MONO

A band frequently on the charts in US and Europe during the sixties, today sadly neglected by newer generations of music lovers and record buyers. To be honest I never thought their original albums were 100%. A couple of excellent songs on each, but always with a few cuts I find uninteresting and more or less fillers. On the other hand the highlights from their production are so good they remain classics even to this day. Combining all qualities of true hits - catchy memorable melodies, attractice vocals and direct production often with some hook or twist. This has so many of those - "Daydream", "Jug Band Music", "Didn't Want To Have To Do It", "Bald Headed Lena" and "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" it's almost like an early Greatest Hits. But more was to come and my favorite Loving Spoonful LP will always be the 1967 "The Best Of The Loving Spoonful". Apart from YDHTBSN coming through rather weak the audio on this is sterling - strong and clear. Premiere US on Kama Sutra (KLP/KLPS 8051). First UK issue came on Pye International with label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (PÖY*) (JÖV*)