The Beau Brummels - Introducing the Beau Brummels

Reissue of the San Francisco-based folk-rock outfit's debut,originally released on the Autumn label in 1965. Contains all 12 of the original tracks, both of the bonus tracks fromSundazed's U.S. reissue ('Just A Little' (Mono Demo) & 'GoodTime Music'), plus 10 more. 24 tracks total, also feturing the hits 'Laugh Laugh' and 'Just A Little'.The full title is 'Introducing The Beau Brummels'. 1998 Repertoire release. Album Description

San Francisco beats back the British Invasion

Though San Francisco's Beau Brummels are often cited for their British Invasion influences (notably Beatles-like melodicism and Zombies-like minor-keys), they didn't really sound like either. Their mix of acoustic and electric instruments made them an early proponent of folk-rock (though they could rock in a '60s teen-discothèque style, as well), and their complex harmonies - led by the superb and unique voice of Sal Valentino - were unlike any others. Like the British bands, the Brummels were self-contained, with guitarist Ron Elliot providing the bulk of the group's songs.

This 1965 debut, released on San Francisco's Autumn label, included the band's two best-known songs, "Laugh Laugh" and "Just a Little." The first is a brilliant told-you-so lyric that's sung bitter and melancholy, while the latter says goodbye to love with soaring harmonies and a tearful vocal. Sly Stone's production and Leo Kulka's engineering (at Golden State Recorders) are fantastic, using the sharp definition on the vocals and instruments (particularly the acoustic guitars) to great effect. Lost love was on Elliot's mind as he wrote the tortured, 50s-styled "Not Too Long Ago," but there's a ray of sunshine in the upbeat, hopeful "Still in Love With You Baby." A hint of country music, something that was threaded throughout the group's ensuing catalog, can be found in a cover of Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me," and a rock 'n' roll cover of Jimmy Reed's "Ain't That Loving You Baby" surely got the teens hopping at local clubs.

Repetoire's CD reissue is crisply remastered in stereo and augments the original dozen tracks with a full dozen demo and outtake bonuses (all mono except "I'll Tell You"), including an early version of "Just a Little" that found the vocals not yet polished and the backing arrangement yet to be refined. More roots could be heard in a cover of John Sebastian's "Good Time Music," and the dark folk-rock "Gentle Wanderin' Ways" waxed more poetic. The tight minor-key harmonies of "She's My Girl" perfectly put across the lyrics' pain, and Valentino is especially dramatic on "She Loves Me." These bonus tracks (and many, many more) turned up on two box sets, Rhino Handmade's "Magic Hollow," and Sundazed's "San Fran Sessions," both of which are now out of print.

The Brummels second album ("Volume 2") left the teen rock behind and focused more heavily on chiming Byrdsian folk-rock. There you'll find another pair of classics ("Sad Little Girl" and "Don't Talk to Strangers") and an album full of worthy originals. If your budget's limited you could pick up the single CD "Golden Archive Series" on Rhino, but the first two albums as a pair are substantially more fulfilling. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com] October 7, 2007

Refreshing sunshine pop

A friend of mine offered me this album. Since I really am into vocal harmonies, he thought I'd be quite enthused by this record. And boy was he right!
Nothing too serious on this album, though, the 12 tracks are unoriginal light-hearted poppy tracks, maybe not quite as good as the Hollies since the harmonies may sound a little shaky at times.
But all in all, you won't be disappointed. The bonus tracks are strong material. ''Good Time Music', 'Gentle Wanderin' Ways' and 'Fine With Me' are all killers.
Buy it before it goes out of print!
August 29, 2007

Fine Debut Album.

The Beau Brummmels' 1965 debut-album contains to band two biggest hit-singles "Laugh Laugh" and "Just a Little" both of which are still great listening. Their early music was greatly inspired by the Beatles but also by some of their American contemporaries like the Lovin Spoonful. In fact one of their other 1965 singles "Good Time Music" was written by John Sebastian of the Lovin Spoonful. Great to find this fine song among the bonus-tracks.

The music on the original album was mostly written by guitarist Ron Elliott, and he was obviously a fine songwriter. Besides the two hits, catchy songs like "Stick Like Glue" and "Not Too Long Ago" stand out. Also their cover of "Oh, Lonesome Me" is fine - sounds a little like the Everly Brothers.

Occasionally their vocal harmonies sound a little odd - especially on a couple of the bonus-tracks which are mostly demos or weaker versions of the album-tracks. On the other hand besides "Good Time Music" some of the bonus-tracks are actually quite good. Elliott's "Gentle Wandering Ways" and "I'll Tell You" are fine recordings - also lead-singer Sal Valentino's "It's So Nice" is good.

Nice 8-pages booklet with a fine biography witten by Chris Welch. September 17, 2006

Beau Brummels - 'Introducing The.....' (Sundazed)

'Introducing...' was the band's first lp as it USUALLY is great to always here a band's(any band's)for that matter very first effort.Originally released in 1965.Two bonus tracks are added on.It's been SO long since I've heard any music from the San Francisco five piece.Beau Brummels had managed to benefit from creating their own brand of harmless good-natured laid back pop.Heck,I think my own parents would even get something out of this reissue.The Brummels have much to offer the listener in the way of employing somewhat rich melodies and soaring harmonies in the making of their music.Key tracks include "Laugh,Laugh","Just A Little","Oh Lonesome Me" and the rocking "That's If You Want Me".Should appeal to fans of the Byrds,Lovin' Spoonful,the Monkees,Grass Roots and the Searchers. September 28, 2004

"Laugh Laugh" Best 60's Ballad Not Written by Roy Orbison!

The Beau Brummels remind you alot of several 60's super groups (The Byrds, The Left Bank, The Young Rascals, The Turtles, The Lovin Spoonful, Moby Grape), quietly forgotten, that made a dent in the universe and then wafted into thin air..The 60's were heady times, and groups came and went, in and out of fashion, like corded bell bottoms, purple velour, and spice candles..I rate the Beau Brummels as an organ backboned San Fran group, with qualities akin to The Doors..They hit the charts big-time with "Laugh Laugh", and "Just a Little"..Two of the best ballads of all time, not written by either Roy Orbison, or Bruce Springsteen..This CD is worth owning for the play of "Laugh Laugh" alone..Possibly one of the greatest "break-up" anthems of all time..The problem with the Beau Brummels was their commercial shelf life was all too brief..The unfortunate infighting that crops up in super groups, just killed more prolific output from a group that had the "right stuff" to become "Beatlesque" in stature..Both Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears owe an allegiance to the Beau Brummel's vocalizations..They, the Beau Brummels, flashed brilliantly and then poof, vanished, out of sight but not out of earshot, their legacy remains..Buy the CD..It's "Laugh Laugh", no joke!..Very stylish..Very collectible..And much like the Left Bank..Remember "Pretty Ballerina", and "Walk Away, Renee"..The Beau Brummels came as close as any American group to ferrying the Mersey Beat of Liverpool onto the fertile shores of San Francisco and Fillmore West.."Just a Little", they did, that is! August 16, 2004

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