Description: The leading California-based vocal group of the '60s, the Mamas & the Papas epitomized the ethos of the mid- to late-'60s pop culture: live free, play free, and love free. Their music, built around radiant harmonies and a solid electric folk foundation, was gorgeous on its own terms, but a major part of its appeal lay in the easygoing southern California lifestyle it endorsed. The group's success was as extraordinary as it was brief, and onlookers may well wonder what went wrong with a performing group that seemed to have the world at its feet for all of two years. The irony behind the Mamas & the Papas' story is that the same forces that made it possible for them to create extraordinary music together also made it impossible for them to stay together for more than a short time. The group's founder and de facto leader, John Phillips, born in 1935, was actually quite a bit older than most of the figures who emerged as rock stars during the middle and late 1960s. He was more of Elvis Presley's generation, the product of a chaotic home life with a difficult childhood and adolescence, and seemed to be headed for life as a low-level delinquent until he was scared straight, and then had been headed for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. In the background, however, was music, the guitar, and the sounds of Elvis Presley, the Platters, Teresa Brewer, and everyone else charting records in the mid-'50s. He eventually entered music professionally, while his first marriage produced two children (one of them future actress MacKenzie Phillips). Phillips' first music forays moved from pop to soft jazz and finally into folk music, through groups such as the Smoothies and the Journeymen. The latter group, a trio with Dick Weissman and Scott McKenzie, was one of the most promising small ensembles of the early-'60s folk music boom, but it never connected with the public despite being signed to Capitol Records -- in fairness, the label already had the Kingston Trio, and Phillips' group was perhaps just a little behind the curve of where public taste and radio programming were heading. (Bruce Eder, AllMusic) I have graded both vinyls Excellent, as I can see very little sign of use and wear. I have graded the gatefold sleeve Very Good Plus, as here there are many small signs of use and handling over time. Matrix Runout Side 1 stamped MCLD 613 etched ABCD-604-A2Matrix Runout Side 2 stamped MCLD 613 etched ABCD-604-B2Matrix Runout Side 3 stamped MCLD 613 etched ABCD-604-C2Matrix Runout Side 4 stamped MCLD 613 etched ABCD-604-D2
Price: 25 GBP
Location: London
End Time: 2024-11-28T12:00:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 27.82 GBP
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Artist: Mamas and Papas
Speed: 33 RPM
Record Label: MCA Records
Release Title: 20 Golden Hits
Case Type: Gatefold Sleeve
Material: Vinyl
Inlay Condition: Excellent (EX)
Colour: Black
Type: Double LP
Format: Record
Record Grading: Excellent (EX)
Release Year: 1980
Sleeve Grading: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Language: English
Era: 1960s
Record Size: 12"
Style: Compilation
Genre: Rock, Pop Rock