1. Dolphins
2. I've Got a Secret (Didn't We Shake Sugaree)
3. That's the Bag I'm In
4. Badi-Da
5. Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)
6. Everybody's Talkin'
7. Everything Happens
8. Sweet Cocaine
9. Green Rocky Road
10. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
After 2 mindblowing game changing albums in a row, the list decides to throw me a curveball and give me an album with no pretensions towards fame and glory. There's no intricate studio wizardry here, just a collection of pleasant folk-rock tunes.
Pleasant is the perfect word for this album, really. It's almost dreamy in the way it moves along at such a peaceful, easygoing pace. This is definitely not the Bob Dylan sort of folk rock. It's a lot more Byrds-y, but without all the harmonies and popular appeal. The only thing on this album that approaches popularity is 'Everybody's Talkin'', which would gain far more fame when it was covered by Harry Nilsson for the soundtrack of the film Midnight Cowboy.
My favorite song on here would have to be 'The Dolphins', a nice laid-back cut with shimmering guitars and a good opportunity to show off Fred's resonating deep voice. It's a nice change from the not exactly tuneful vocal stylings of one Mr. Dylan, that's for sure!
The sore thumb on this album would have to be the rather enjoyably titled 'Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga', a jam session mixing folk and Indian music. The result is not quite like anything you've heard before. It's not bad, but it definitely doesn't fit in with all the blissed out folk rock.
Unlike the grand titans of Revolver and Pet Sounds, this album was not a success and remains largely obscure. It did influence a number of artists though, including Tim Buckley, who'll be showing up sooner or later. This may have seemed a bit disappointing after all the critically acclaimed masterpieces, but I'd take this over Ella Fitzgerald any day. 8/10
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