Search - Johnny Rivers :: Changes & Rewind

A taste of Honey

grooverider | Toluca Lake LA | 08/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Johnny Rivers' most spectacular period of music. Just look at the talent involved in "Changes": Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn, Larry Knetchel, Tommy Tedesco, Bud Shank and Gary Coleman, the quality of music is truly unbelieveable. Tommy Tedesco's guitar on "Days of Wine and Roses" is just about the most beautiful thing imagineable, as is Bud Shank's sax on "The Shadow of Your Smile". Just put this on and be taken away to a time where music was creative, courageous, and thoughtful. I can not say enough about the quality of music heard here, Marty Paich's orchestrations are never obtrusive and complement the music, surrounding Johnny Rivers in sounds that must have been such a pleasure to make. "By the time I Get To Phoenix", "The Shadow of your Smile", "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" and of course "Poor Side of Town" are here. Mr. Rivers followed up this album with "Rewind" and the quality continues: just listen to Tim Hardin's "It'll Never Happen Again", the Jimmy Webb jewels "Rosecrans Boulevard", "Carpet Man" and "Tunesmith", Paul Simon's "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" to know that Johnny Rivers was working hard to change his "a go go" sound and image. Credit most deservedly goes to Lou Adler, producer of both these albums for helping Johnny Rivers to explore new sounds, surrounding him with these magicians. This is music, like honey, for the ages."

Two my favorite Johnny Rivers albums

Dr. Willie | Frisco, Texas | 11/06/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Fresh from his Whiskey A-Go-Go fame Johnny really "changes" gears with his 1966 "Changes" lp. He was the first to record Jim Webb's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and personally I prefer it to Glen Campbell's version. The other songs selected for this lp are a source of real joy. The girl group backing Johnny are the best I've ever heard. Far from detracting their choral arrangements are an amazing contribution. 1967s "Rewind" showcases even more early Jim Webb jewels along with songs written by Paul Simon and Tim Hardin. Johnny's cover of Mowtown classics "Baby I Need Your Lovin' and "Tracks Of My Tears are very, very good. One easily over looked treasure is Jim Webb's "Sweet Smiling Children", an amazing shot at the advertising business and the emptiness it creates. I'm not certain if these two albums were recorded at the same time but the background singers add the same beauty to "Rewind". Here's the sad part; "Changes" and "Rewind" were released in 1992 on a single 2fer cd on the Imperial/Legends Of Rock N' Roll Series/EMI Group label but this cd is now out of print. I stumbled across it in a record store in '93 and have been enjoying it ever since. It is now impossible to find on the inet without being scalped. An English record company has paired "In Action" and "Changes" on one cd and "Rewind" and "Realization" (another great Rivers lp) on another. You have to buy them both to get this pairing. It's a shame because "Changes" and "Rewind" belong together. If you like the softer side of Johnny Rivers this cd is pure pleasure. Good luck finding it!

(1992 EMI Records USA E2-9900)"