Mrs. McPheeny (Has Flu in Her Chest and Has Needed a Rest for So Long)
Butters Lament - Family Tree, Nilsson
Simple Life
Slippin' Thru My Fingers
Nine to Three - Family Tree, DeCocq
Lesson Book Life
Nickelodeon Music
Miss Butters
The Underture
Keepin' a Secret [*]
Do You Have the Time [*]
She Had to Fly [*]
He Spins Around [*]
A Classic of West Coast Psychpop. And a Much Sought after Gem....after The Breakup of San Francisco Garage Groups the Brogues ("Ain't No Miracle Worker"), Most Members Went on to Quicksilver Messenger Service....bassist Bi... more »ll Whittington Formed the Family Tree with Bob Segarini of the Ratz and the Enigmatic Lee Michaels....the Latter Soon Dropped Out, and a Couple of Innovative Singles for the Mysterious La Based Mira Label Brought them to the Attention of Not Only RCA, but Sunbury Music's Dick Campbell and his Friend and Big Hope, Harry Nilsson....with Input from Harry (At this Time Being Hailed as a Genius by the Beatles Nd Writing Songs for Everyone from the Monkees and the Turtles on Down) the Band Embarked on the Semi-conceptual Album "Miss Butters"....an Amazing Semi-lost Gem of West Coast Psychpop Genius on a Par with Harry Nilsson's Own Records of the Period.« less
A Classic of West Coast Psychpop. And a Much Sought after Gem....after The Breakup of San Francisco Garage Groups the Brogues ("Ain't No Miracle Worker"), Most Members Went on to Quicksilver Messenger Service....bassist Bill Whittington Formed the Family Tree with Bob Segarini of the Ratz and the Enigmatic Lee Michaels....the Latter Soon Dropped Out, and a Couple of Innovative Singles for the Mysterious La Based Mira Label Brought them to the Attention of Not Only RCA, but Sunbury Music's Dick Campbell and his Friend and Big Hope, Harry Nilsson....with Input from Harry (At this Time Being Hailed as a Genius by the Beatles Nd Writing Songs for Everyone from the Monkees and the Turtles on Down) the Band Embarked on the Semi-conceptual Album "Miss Butters"....an Amazing Semi-lost Gem of West Coast Psychpop Genius on a Par with Harry Nilsson's Own Records of the Period.
Mark A. Frumento | Cherry Hill, NJ USA | 08/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At last this "holy grail" of an album has made it to CD. After years of waiting fans can finally be treated to the mono version of this great pop album. Many will compare it to the Beatles and certainly there is a lot of Beatle influence there - they do not hide it. However, the influences are wide and varied. Significantly this album was being recorded at the same time and with the same personel as Nilsson's Ariel Ballet and you can hear the trademark, quality arrangements by George Tipton. The point is that this was not a cheaply produced album by a small-time band. It's a fully realized pop opera with great playing and singing. More importantly great tunes.
The CD include both of Family Tree's non-LP RCA singles and is packaged beautifully with excellent design work by Steve Stanley. Detailed liner notes and great sound, direct from the master tapes, make this the best product Rev-Ola have ever released in my opinion. The mono version of this LP is stunning - several notches better than the out of balance stereo version."
Disappointing mono release of a fantastic classic
Marvin Wetovsky | Santa Fe, NM United States | 12/07/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Miss Butters is a lost classic from the 60s. It's an amazing record, really, and the real, first rock opera that got lost in the rush of releases of the day. It tells the story of Miss Butters, from birth without a father (He had died out on his farm, before he had a chance to hold his baby girl in his arms) to death (Miss Butters passed away, and we were instructed to write a card) and in between, growing up, becoming a teacher (Mrs. McPheeny would have wanted it that way) and losing in love. It's got great harmonies and nice flashy touches of orchestration. Even a song written by Harry Nilsson. And the Beatles' influences are here in abundance.
My only complaint is that this supposed remastered mono version is not as clear as the original stereo version which I much prefer. On this release you have to strain to hear some background vocals, especially on Mrs. McPheeny) and the drums are mixed farther down than they used to be. Having compared the two, I'm sticking with my stereo vinyl version. Be that as it may, I would highly recommend this wonderful, lost classic from a lovely, bygone era. You will be enchanted."
Family Tree Drummer Reveals All
Vann H. Slatter | 08/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It was sooo cool hearing our LP remastered and re-released some 40 years after its recording at RCA studios, Hollywood. It was a time of great hope and creativity. Who would have guessed that it would end up on Elton John's 25 favorite LP's. The LP was even given to the Beatles by
Harry Nilsson and the feed back was positive.
I hope you enjoy this dinosaur gem! Live Aloha, Vann Slatter, drummer and background vocals for The Family Tree.
"
America's Answer To Sgt. Pepper
Scott Marks | Griffin, GA USA | 04/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was Soooo glad to find this on CD, my vinyl was too old and scratchy to transfer to disc, and this album is really good. I am a musician and I opened for these guys in 1968 and was blown away. They did a live version of this album with excellant harmony on a great sounding PA. If you were around to remember, back in the 60's PA systems usually consisted of stadium style horns. not compatible with close harmony vocals. But these guys were awesome! We opened for them, and they opened for the Jefferson Airplane.
The story behind this album is the life of an old fashioned "school marm." Born to a veteran of "Vaudeville" and his wife, she grows up to be a teacher who says no to marriage and love. She dedicates her life to her students and in the end dies lonely and full of regret.
On listening, you go through the ups and downs of her life, much like "Tommy" by the WHO. This musical journey takes you on an emotional ride with songs very reminicent of Sgt. Pepper"s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
For any late 60's, psychadelic buff this CD would be a welcome addition to your collection. It is strange to listen to this music and then realize these songs are 40 years old. Buy it you won't regret it."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
