Search - Lovin Spoonful :: Hums of the Lovin Spoonful

You can Hum every classic tune

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 03/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It didn't get any better than this for the Spoonful. The late great Zal was shortly to leave (or be fired depending on what you read)for narcing on his pot dealer (it was either that or face being deported and possible jail time). Sebastian's originals were about as strong as they would ever be. Summer In The City, while the stand out cut and hit single, was only the tip of the iceberg. Voodoo In My Basement had the slightly off-kilter lazy day melody that was always so memorable; the witty paen to Tennessee session players Nashville Cats captures the feel of country music without imitating its cliches; Coconut Groove was the album's secret weapon. It's sly melody and witty lyric would be echoed and have an impact on other musicians (most notably Harry Nilsson).The bonus cuts are icing on the delicious cake. There's nothing as interesting as on the previous reissues but that's not the point really; the bonus tracks provide fans a glimpse into the band's creative world. If it was all downhill from here (and it was despite some wonderful moments on the underrated Everything's Playing), Hums was the original incarnation's Cody Jarret moment; Yep Ma, they were top of the world for a brief, brilliant and shining moment.
Thanks guys for such a marvelous album."

The best of the spoonful

Wayne Klein | 03/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Flashback to the summer of 1968: I just discovered Hums of the Loving Spoonful in my sister's collection of LPs. She was away, and it's a good thing too, for I played it over and over. Rain on the Roof, Coconut Grove, Summer in the City, and Lovin' You are all pure gems. These are the songs of a simpler time, of a better time. They are still playing in my mind.When I hear the Lovin' Spoonful, I think of lazy summer days in the country. I captured that feeling again a few years ago while traveling among the vineyards of western New York in late summer. Thank you Lovin Spoonful!"

The Magic Continues

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 03/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Spoonful's third album (not counting the soundtrack LP to "What's Up, Tiger Lily?") is the most satisfying of their all too short career. It was their first album of all original material and all of the songs were written or co-written by John Sebastian. These are all Spoonful classics and continue to reflect their wide range of influences: the jugband sound of "Henry Thomas," the countrified "Darlin' Companion" and "Nasville Cats," the bluesy "Coconut Grove," the folk-influenced "Lovin' You" and the contemporary sound of "Summer in the City." The consistent high quality of the material on this album is all the more amazing when you realize this was their third album in 12 months!On the back cover of the CD, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck declares HUMS is the "best, most consistent record by America's most underrated band." He's right. ESSENTIAL"