By John Bedard
This is an easy to listen to album cram-packed with 19 tracks of pure ‘60s goodness. It is hard not to smile while listening to this. It is fun feel-good music that is particularly good for a nice Sunday drive through the countryside or down to the beach. Just load up the old 66 station wagon and with some friends and a cooler full of beer and head down to the beach for a bonfire and watch the sunset. It just screams that California fantasy.
The vocal style would fit right in with many of the greats from back in the day. It many ways I was reminded of the Mamas and the Papas. They don’t have that many people harmonizing like them, but the style is very similar. It has that same good feeling and bright outlook that they had back then. Even if the song is sad there is just something uplifting in the voice and style. Every song just makes you smile. You can’t help but have a good time listening to this, or at least have a little nostalgia.
The music is much the same. It just screams 60s. I would bet that the Beatles and the Mamas and the Papas were a big influence because that sound is woven all throughout this album. It is soft and easy to listen too. The use of a tambourine and harmonica at times also really helps to sell that 60s sound as well as the old class A guitar amp driven a bit to heard to get that breakup that defined that era.
If to you oldies means the 60s and you just don’t think they make music like they used to then you need to buy this. You will love it. In full disclosure, this style of music is not normally my thing and I tend to be picky about what I find worthwhile in the genre, but this is outstanding. It might even be enough to change my mind. This is one that you should absolutely give a chance and if it is something that you like then you are in luck because there are 19 tracks of consistently awesome music. Back in time, this would have absolutely shot to the top of the charts. These days it might only find a home in a niche audience, but it is every bit as good as the classics and should sit beside them in your collection.
- ‘Guv I and II’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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