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Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends
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Price: $9.35
Price subject to change!
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 5013929438620
Format: Import
Label: Rev-Ola
Manufacturer: Rev-Ola
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Rev-Ola
Release Date: 2005-02-07
Studio: Rev-Ola
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Customer reviews of Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: Enjoyable enough, but...
Comment: I'm totally half & half on this one. While the sound quality is excellent and music totally enjoyable, the electronic synth & drums (there's a no-no), give a totally modern, and doctor's office dated sound. Elevator pop at its very best. Enjoyable, but not what I was expecting, and would have preferred less electronics & more of the '60s sound, including the female vocals which seem to be lacking on this one. That was an essential part of their original sound!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Now after all this time...
Comment: 40 years and it's been either too long, or "it just seems like yesterday". It seems like a little of both but what a joy to have the three original members: Roger Nichols, Murray MacLeod and Melinda MacLeod Patterson sharing those otherworldly harmonies. This is not a reissue (the Amazon track listing is not correct). This is a new CD of some favorite Paul Williams & Roger Nichols compositions, along with collaborations with Tony Asher, John Bettis and Smokey Roberds. Along with the 12 songs are 5 original demos of: "Watching You, I'm Coming to the Best Part of my Life, I'm Gonna Find Her, Always You and You're Foolin' Nobody". The album was produced by the three members and recorded in Oregon(where Roger Nichols currently lives) and Hollywood.
Some of the musicians include: David Foster, Jay Graydon, Mike Baird and on one song, "The Winner's Theme" it lists "Toto" as the rhythm band!
There are notes from Richard Carpenter, Tony Asher, John Bettis and Paul Williams
Now the music: "Talk it over In the Morning" (which has a slightly Brazilian feel to it), "The Drifter", "Let Me Be the One" (powerful and beautiful harmonies, this song ranks as a definite favorite), "Out In the Country" (which adheres closely in arrangement to the Three Dog Night version), the instrumental "The Winner's Theme" (similar in style to the tricky yet melodic structure of Burt Bacharach), the new(!) Paul Williams & Roger Nichols collaboration, "Look Around", "Always You", "You're Foolin' Nobody", "Watchin' You", "I'm Coming To The Best Part of My Life" (covered by Cass Elliot) and "I'm Gonna Find Her".
If you enjoyed their one previous album, "Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends" you most definitely will appreciate the harmonies (which, amazingly, still sound like... well, like they did 40 years ago). Many thanks to all who encouraged the three members to get back together to create this work of magic for all of their fans. What a magnificent treasure this CD is!
Welcome back.
Customer Rating:
Summary: not bad
Comment: I got this only because, when I was a kid, I was always seeing this reflective pair of sunglasses on the inner sleeves of A&M albums, peering out at me like a stoned-out come on. Some albums you buy for the cover.
Well, the music here is very tasteful easy-listening. The orchestration is heavy but not sappy, and the vocals have a nice, light-jazz flavor. At times it reminds me of Curt Boucher, but it is not as edgey or adventurous. This is stuff that could sit with the Beatles and Mammas and Papas on AM radio and not sound out of place-a nice, unique little bridge between more popular top 40 songs.
Nice music and interesting as a time-capsule. It is 12 bucks, so buy it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Small Circle of Friends
Comment: Perhaps you will take my 5 star rating and review with a grain of salt but, as co-writer with Roger of "I Can See Only You" I was thrilled when I first heard the Small Circle of Friends version. As an old songwriter, it is one my favorite works, as is the whole CD. So, all I can say is, "Give it a listen and decide for yourself."
The entire CD is a kind of soft-jazz/pop Classic, from the selection of songs to the arrangements and vocalizations of Roger, Murray and Melinda.
Murray and I, ("Smokey Roberds"), with Jerry Riopelle, also wrote and recorded together, as The Parade, with Sunshine Girl, and others. What a blast from the past.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Gem
Comment: I believe this originally came out in early 1968. Roger Nichols went on to collaborate successfully with Paul Williams but before that came this teaming with siblings Melinda & Murray MacLeod. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, arranged by Bob Thompson, Nick De Caro, Marty Paich and Mort Garson, this is music immaculately made. Their languid, oh so sexy version of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" does Bacharach & David proud. I'm sure Carole King also stood proud with "Snow Queen", one of her early compositions. The group Swing Out Sister used elements of "I Can See Only You" for their song "When the Laughter is Over". Their version of the Lovin Spoonful's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It"(which Jackie De Shannon also recorded, magnificently) is exquisite, sad & beautiful. The liner notes and history (by Steven Stanley) are informative. Tommy LiPuma produced many great, tuneful LP's in the late 60's. This is one of them, a true, lost gem.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Essentially the very holy grail of L.A. soft pop, this 1968 album is a must own for fans of this highly collectible genre. 20 remastered tracks. Rev-Ola. 2005.
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