Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends
Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends
Rev-ola
2005 (Reissue) / 1968 (Original)
Rating: 7.5 coconut queens out of 10
A classic album reissued by the UK reissue kings, Rev-ola, this is
California pop at it’s finest. Roger Nichols is probably best known as a songwriter, having penned numerous
hits for the Carpenters and a few other performers…but he also performed songs as well. Originally released in
1968, this record teams up Nichols with fellow songwriter Tony Asher (who worked with Brian Wilson on the
legendary Pet Sounds, this album coming just after that one), and it’s just as good as you might expect
given the pedigree of those involved. Nichols had Murray and Melinda MacLeod help him in performing these
melodies, and the ensuing result is some of the best harmonious sunshine pop/easy listening I’ve heard in a
quite some time. Van Dyke Parks and Randy Newman also had a hand in this album, as if you need
more pop legends mixed into this bag. A lost gem, sure, but highly worth checking out.
Keith Colley
Bird Doggin’
Rev-Ola
2005
Rating: 6.5 labrador retrievers out of 10
Keith Colley was one of those guys who managed to run with the big dogs without ever actually being known himself. The scene was LA in the early sixties, where there were apparently tons of songwriters trying to make a dent in the market, which Colley managed to do. This disc is the “publishing demos cut”, which I take to mean it’s a disc of songs sent out to various producers to showcase his songwriting abilty for use with their acts. But the thing is, his works is just as strong as most anyone who might have actually gone on and recorded one of his songs. A number of big-time folks play on this disc – Glen Campbell, Seals & Crofts, Jerry Fuller, and more. This is by no means the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard, but if you’re into that early 60’s crooner style you could do lot worse.
Eternity’s Children
From Us Unto You: Original Singles Collection
Rev-Ola
2005
Rating: 7 Mississippi mudslides out of 10
Rev-Ola is back again with more reissue goodness – this time it is the soothing sounds of Eternity’s Children. Like me, you’ve probably never even heard of these cats, but there is a good chance you have heard of Curt Boettcher and Keith Olsen, two of the pioneers behind much of the good psychedelic soft rock that was being made in the mid-to-late 60s; they were also responsible for this group, and were in fact their first production if I am to believe what the press sheet tells me. The Children themselves came from Mississippi, were once called the Phantoms, and played with the likes of Charlie Rich as his backing band from time to time. They added folk singer Linda Lawley and changed their name, got signed to A&M, but never quite made it on the charts in any significant way. Which is a shame, because this is some pretty good boogie/psych soft rock…lots of vocal harmonies, a touch of twang, and would sound right at home on a tour with Strawberry Alarm Clock (which actually happened in 1967). There’s also a few tracks that make me think of some of Kenny Rogers output at times, but that is probably just me. Is this a lost classic? Probably not, but it is a good listen especially for folks who enjoy the late 60’s sunshine pop music.
