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The Best Side from 1968?

J. R. Thelin | 08/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this collection of PBC's Columbia material last year, almost on a whim, since I had never been a big fan during their late 1960s existence. However, I did see the group live in Chicago, summer of 1968 (more on that later). I was familiar with the LPs, but never owned either, preferring the first one (Spreading) over the second (Great), which I found rather cold.



Well, the music obviously has not changed, but my perceptions of it has. Spreading is a decent first effort, but it has a rather piece-meal quality to it. While not a singles band, the album plays as if PBC were that very thing. Thus, the tracks work better individually than as a well-integrated album of 11 songs. The strongest tracks are "Dark on You Now" (which, sometimes, as "Swallow the Sun," was covered by a number of West Coast bands), "You Should Know," and "Twice Is Life," all written by John Merrill. (Alan Brackett, PBC's other songwriter tended to write more commercially; his compositional abilities were shown to greater effect on LP #2.) Sandi Robinson was a lovely singer, as many reviewers have noted, and she helps elevate some of the more mundane material. And actually, while the harmonies are not as ethereal as some of the Mamas & Papas or as rhythmically engaging as the Airplane's, they are generally worth hearing. A B or B- grade, if you go in for that sort of thing.



Great is another story, however. The songs do not have a cold veneer like I originally thought 35 years (ouch!) ago. Instead, PCB plays harder and tighter, emphasizing more of the Rock part of Pop/Rock. Bill Wolf was a stronger, more inventive guitarist than the previous lead of Lance Fent. His more overtly San Francisco-influenced psychedelic licks (think CJ Fish a la Barry Melton or David Cohen) balanced well with John Merrill's more traditional rock `n' roll approach to tone and rhythm. Speaking of rhythm: the rhythm section of bassist Alan Brackett and drummer Jim Voight made a great leap forward on this LP, playing with greater dynamism and subtlety. There are two tracks over 6 minutes each which allow the whole band to stretch out instrumentally (and vocally, for that matter, too), thus giving us more of a good sense of their improvisational abilities. The song quality is more consistently superior to the first LP. In fact, I challenge you to find a better 1st side of an LP from a West Coast 1960s band than Side 1 of Great. Other than Love's side A of Da Capo, I doubt there is as strong a side of musical composition/performance as "Turn On a Friend" (a stronger single and lead-off cut than "It's A Happening Thing" from Spreading, which other reviewers seem to favour) through the half-minute vocal swirl of "Invasion of the Poppy People" (okay, okay, the title is dated, but not necessarily the music). Lyrically, PCB was no great shakes. Themes were largely freedom and romance, neither surprising given the times. Sometimes their best lines bump up against awful ones in the same song (try Alan Brackett's "Living Dream," for one). Despite, the lack of profundity and wit in many of the songs, PBC brings out the luster of the tunes through their energetic playing and imaginative vocalizing. And this is a real album, not just a hodge-podge collection of songs, and not one of the many dreadful "concept" LPs hurriedly recorded and rushed to shelves after the success of Sgt. Pepper. Great gets an A (A+ for Side 1, A- for Side 2).



P.S.: The bonus tracks range from bad Mamas & Papas ("It's So Hard Hard") to soulful pop (courtesy of Sandi Robinson and writer Brackett in "I'm a Fool") to bittersweet nostalgia ("Peter Pan" - we can fly off to Neverland...we're never gonna grow old, etc.). "Peter Pan" also reminds me of my "live" experience with PBC, who opened for Spirit at the `Lectric Theatre, the Chicago northside club owned and operated by Aaron Russo (later Bette Midler's manager). I actually recall very little of PBC's performance; but I do remember, with great sadness, nearly colliding with singer Sandi in-between sets. Like Peter Pan, she never grew old - and it's hard to believe she's been dead for over 15 years - but I wish she and her true, crystal voice were still around....

"

Peanut Butter Conspiracy - ' Is Spreading / Great Conspiracy

Mike Reed | USA | 07/22/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Sorry to say that I was a bit let down with this two-on-one album CD reissue.Nice value for the money,though.I consider this Los Angeles band to be third rate psychedelia.Problem is out of a total of 25 songs,the good tunes are simply too few and far between.For example,three cuts that I thought were good include "It's A Happening Thing","Why Did I Get So High?" and "Turn On A Friend".Other than that,this release doesn't really do much for me.The band apparently put out three lp's between 1966-69 and then called it a day.The CD's final cut,an unreleased tune "Peter Pan" is the lamest thing I believe I've ever heard.Might appeal to some fans of Music Emporium,H.P.Lovecraft,Moby Grape and Jefferson Airplane.Do keep in mind those acts,of course are SO much better,it isn't even funny.Recommended ONLY for fans they had back when they were together and perhaps open-minded collectors."

Flower-child crap?

gideon | Texas | 08/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . that's what my stepchildren called it. I got to see them live several times at the old Catacombs in Houston. They are one of the best things to happen to music. This is love music. And the world needs love. Hasn't it been nice, paradise, living loving life!

The Most Up 'Til Now, It's a Happening Thing, and Why did I Get So High are the best from the first album. Start with song 12 and get into the second album. Each song has it's own magic! Too Many Do must be the best song, but all of them are just wonderful! As has been said - enjoy. This is love music."