'LOVE IS THE GROOVIEST THING UP 'TILL NOW IN THE WORLD'
Instead of chiming in with my own unorganized thoughts about this fabulous record I have transcribed the 'custom' liner notes handwritten on the inner sleeve of my unique copy by a previous unknown owner. The Peanut Butter Conspiracy's debut album was released in March of 1967, produced by the great Gary Usher and is most definitely A HAPPENING THING.
YA WANT FLOWER POWER?
HERE IT IS, FROM 1967!!!
What I’m surprised by is that all the stuff, even the big hit single is ORIGINAL material. While I cringe at the word “GROOVY” (the word long went the way of ‘Daddy-O’) this group can rock out and then sing it pretty too… one nice trademark of flower power bands was that they had a soft lyrical side too. So while “It’s Happening” blasts off, “Then Came Love” is reminiscent of softer Mama’s and The Papa’s type material. Songs like “Twice Is Life” sort of echo the Byrds… So really, this band fits right in with the Byrds, We Five, Jefferson Airplane, and perhaps even Sweetwater (before Sweetwater’s lead singers accident, that is)… Well, OK, “Second Hand Man” was written by someone not in the band… It’s a friendly little folkie toe-tapper. Back when this LP came out, record companies were signing up everyone… and from what I can tell, a lot of bands had a ‘folk’ influence before things got really heavy… Good album coordination too… Lots of variety. “You Can’t Be Found” rips out, sorta like the Seeds “Pushin Too Hard”… really, this album is a real period piece. Sure this was a LESSER band but this record is nothing to be ashamed of, and is probably how a LOT of bands in that area sounded like way back when. Folk, British invasion, and even some country were all interwoven by bands of that time. “Why Did I Get So High” is very British in approach, with a cute little Jane… and she is “high” on Love by the way… Maybe this album tries a bit hard to be ‘hip’ but this WAS the climate way back when. “Dark On You Now” is a smooth fast-paced number, while “Market Place” is weird in vocal and lyrical approach (hey, the hippies gathered in the market place didn’t they?) So this song must be a direct reflection of the times? “You Should Know” almost sounds like the Seekers turned up a notch… and it then shifts tempo for a bit of Jazzy guitar – so this is a fairly talented band! Also the chick doesn’t sing ‘lead’ on every song. “The Most Up Till Now” for instance, so the group can change and weave their sound. This album is much more real than I thought it would be – I’m pleasantly surprised… and “You Took Too Much” closes the album harmoniously. Not bad, not bad. And ‘tasty’ too. They don’t ‘spread’ it on ‘too thick’ (groan!)
6/09/01
What I’m surprised by is that all the stuff, even the big hit single is ORIGINAL material. While I cringe at the word “GROOVY” (the word long went the way of ‘Daddy-O’) this group can rock out and then sing it pretty too… one nice trademark of flower power bands was that they had a soft lyrical side too. So while “It’s Happening” blasts off, “Then Came Love” is reminiscent of softer Mama’s and The Papa’s type material. Songs like “Twice Is Life” sort of echo the Byrds… So really, this band fits right in with the Byrds, We Five, Jefferson Airplane, and perhaps even Sweetwater (before Sweetwater’s lead singers accident, that is)… Well, OK, “Second Hand Man” was written by someone not in the band… It’s a friendly little folkie toe-tapper. Back when this LP came out, record companies were signing up everyone… and from what I can tell, a lot of bands had a ‘folk’ influence before things got really heavy… Good album coordination too… Lots of variety. “You Can’t Be Found” rips out, sorta like the Seeds “Pushin Too Hard”… really, this album is a real period piece. Sure this was a LESSER band but this record is nothing to be ashamed of, and is probably how a LOT of bands in that area sounded like way back when. Folk, British invasion, and even some country were all interwoven by bands of that time. “Why Did I Get So High” is very British in approach, with a cute little Jane… and she is “high” on Love by the way… Maybe this album tries a bit hard to be ‘hip’ but this WAS the climate way back when. “Dark On You Now” is a smooth fast-paced number, while “Market Place” is weird in vocal and lyrical approach (hey, the hippies gathered in the market place didn’t they?) So this song must be a direct reflection of the times? “You Should Know” almost sounds like the Seekers turned up a notch… and it then shifts tempo for a bit of Jazzy guitar – so this is a fairly talented band! Also the chick doesn’t sing ‘lead’ on every song. “The Most Up Till Now” for instance, so the group can change and weave their sound. This album is much more real than I thought it would be – I’m pleasantly surprised… and “You Took Too Much” closes the album harmoniously. Not bad, not bad. And ‘tasty’ too. They don’t ‘spread’ it on ‘too thick’ (groan!)
6/09/01
I have just released a new Peanut Butter Conspiracy cd, "BARBARA". It is the first time she is featured on every song. Five of the songs have not been previously released, two are from movie soundtracks that are rare, and the other five are hand-picked from previous releases that show off her voice nicely. I'm trying to get word out about this release that I did myself out of love and knowing that the people that love her voice would like to hear these recordings and I am the only one that could do it or they would be lost forever. I did it with CreateSpace on Amazon and that's the only way the cd can be purchased and also at: https://www.peanutbutterconspiracy.com it will take you to:
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Thanks for the info! I'm definitely interested in hearing the unreleased tracks. Barbara had a great voice, that's for sure.
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