Various - What A Groovy Day: The British Sunshine Pop Sound 1967-1972 (Grapefruit Records)(2023)(3CD Box Set)

 Another gem from Grapefruit Records. This 3 CD box set is focused on British bubblegum and sunshine pop from the late 60s to early 70s. These CDs really capture a vibe. From the liner notes we find out that the term 'sunshine pop' was created by a Record Collector editor! Yes, a magazine editor. Apparently, the tag of 'harmony pop' was considered too bland. What was harmony pop? Well, from a U.S. perspective it was the sound of the Beach Boys, The Association, The Mamas & Papas, and The 5th Dimension. This box set is a collection of harmony pop, sunshine pop, and bubblegum pop from a British perspective.  Definitely worth getting if you like melodic music and you enjoy vocal harmonies...but with a British accent! Need a taste? Check out Harmony Grass - What A Groovy Day  How about Barbara Moore - Fly Paradise.

Various - Gritty 60s Garage & Punk (BeatRocket)(2022)(LP)

 

Excellent...superb...60s garage bands from California...liner notes from Mike Stax..."The grit and grease and grime of the garage can be heard in each of the 17 compiled here, all cooked up in the great state of California"  Nuff said..Check out The Mourning Reign - Satisfaction Guaranteed

Various Artists - You Can Walk Across It On The Grass - Grapefruit Records - 3 CD Box Set - 2024

 

Another gem from Grapefruit Records. This is a collection of 60s London! Imagine having great soundtrack of real music from the 60s for any Austin Powers movie. Is it groovy? Absolutely. While some of the artists and bands will be familiar to some or all of you...The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Tom Jones, and Dusty Springfield, - there are tons of songs by bands and artists that were not so famous or familiar (at least to me)...I have chosen a few down below that you can test for yourself...I definitely recommend this box set. Just put it on and let it play..it really captures a mood and holds it well throughout...I guess it is the mood of 60s swingin' London!

A Band of Angels - Invitation

Tony Rivers and The Castaways - Girl Don't Tell Me

The Hi-Fi's - London Look

David Bowie with The Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me

The Roll Movement - I'm Out On My Own

The Odyssey - How Long Is Time

Quicksilver Messenger Service - s/t

Finally bought a record from a band that I have heard tons about for decades. They were part of the San Francisco scene and contemporaries of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. This debut album from 1968 is just a beautiful mix of early 'hippie music", or as I knew it growing up, Acid Rock. The key to the music on this record is the guitar work of John Cipollina. He is so melodic and the swirling guitar runs that hey plays are both memorable and mesmerizing. I wish I had listened to this band before. In fact, I would love to hear their live recordings from the era since it would be amazing to hear how the band would extend their jams on some of these songs. Check out this for a taste.

The Vagrants - I Can't Make a Friend 1965 -1968

What a nice surprise.  Garage band from Forest Hills, NY.  This is not the snarling garage punk rock variety but is instead more melody based with a few elements of folk rock.

For a taste of how melodic these guys could be, take a listen to this gorgeous song called, Your Hasty Heart.  Also, check out, You're Too Young.  Here is a final song, And When It's Over.  If this is your bag, you will like the Vagrants.

The Turtles - All the Singles (CD) 2016

I have always loved all the big radio hits of The Turtles.  You know which ones I am talking about.  Song like Happy Together, Elenore, and You Showed Me.  The latter song being a personal favorite. However, much like my surprise discovery of the back catalog of The Beach Boys, The Turtles also have a wealth of beautiful pop music in their back catalog (and that they released on 45!).  If you like melodic pop music with flirtations (later) with psychedelic music then do yourself a favor and get this compilations.  Two CDs worth of music that spans the years 1965 until 1970.  Yes, some of the B sides are a little odd but they are odd in a charming way.  Well, maybe not so much Umbassa the Dragon. 

Before I listened to this CD, The Turtles for me were a good band with a couple of great songs.  After listening to this CD, The Turtles were more than that and the recordings on this compilation are a great showcase.  Glad to add this to the collection.