One of the most request catalogs for CD reissue we have ever had is the Seals & Crofts catalog. This duo consisting of Jim Seals & Dash Crofts had numerous charting albums in the 1970's. We are now proud to present... more » pretty much their entire catalog of albums, beginning with their first eponymous album from 1969, all the way through their last charting album, "Takin' It Easy" from 1978.« less
One of the most request catalogs for CD reissue we have ever had is the Seals & Crofts catalog. This duo consisting of Jim Seals & Dash Crofts had numerous charting albums in the 1970's. We are now proud to present pretty much their entire catalog of albums, beginning with their first eponymous album from 1969, all the way through their last charting album, "Takin' It Easy" from 1978.
CD Reviews
A Year Of Sundays...
J. Holcombe | 09/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have passed since this album was first released, way back in 1972. Recorded just before they hit the big time, this album contains some of their most poignant lyrics, beautiful melodies, and inspired muscianship.
Revealing a new sound, and a craftsmanship almost unheard of in pop, their arrangements made mandolin and violin seem hip. This combined with a spirtual message of the Bahai faith that seemed somehow universal at the time, in the era of peace demonstrations and the "love" generation.
The mandolin passage in "Irish Linen" still takes my breath away with it's exquisite beauty. There is a real ache and longing for a lost love "in Naples by the sea" in Antoinette. Their voices intertwine in "Cause You Love", anticipating the soaring magic of "Hummingbird" in their next album. The melody, delicate harmonizing, and mandolin playing in "Paper Airplanes" elevates a somewhat sentimental song about a man longing the son he never had to a heartbreaking classic about an unrealized dream of fatherhood. "Year of Sunday" is an uplifting song of faith and hope.
Musically, there is space between the instruments (played by real muscians in real time). No electronic sweetening or additives or computers, this is analog, wood, strings, with great writing and great harmony.
Unique in the pop canon, this album, along with Summer Breeze and Diamond Girl are a great entry point for those who only own the Greatest Hits album."
5 Stars For "Year of Sunday"!
David R. Teves | Sacramento, CA USA | 11/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I think back on all my favorite records, there is a factor they all have in common: I remember the day I bought them. I found "Year of Sunday" at Discount Records in Berkeley, California one Sunday afternoon in 1972. I had never heard of Seals & Crofts, but the cover intrigued me. I bought it unheard. That was 36 years ago. For years I searched for a CD of this recording but was unsuccessful. Boy was I suprised when I did another one of my semi-annual searches on Amazon and discovered all their albums were on sale at last! Guess which one I bought?
My favorite song is "High On A Mountain", but who can resist the beauty of "Irish Linen" and "Antionette"? If you only pruchase one Seals & Crofts CD, I highly recommend that it be "Year of Sunday"."
Peace, Love and Understanding
A. Bentivegna | 09/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great harmonies, great guitar, great mandolin and great songs. The folk influences here probably prevented a hit. Can't review it better than J. Holcombe but I'd like to point out the beauty of movement in Antoinette. A loved one waits in a dreamland by the sea as the singer passes through a garden, meadow and steps. The setting is Naples but the instrumental break is arabesque. Other songs bring such intriguing elements together too. Year of Sunday has a progression of prophets before setting the stage with the Hidden Words of the Baha'i Faith. High On a Mountain has a fantastic electric mandolin solo that was a sight and sound to behold in concert."
A Pinch Of Seals & A Dash Of Crofts
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 04/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was the 1971 Release by Jim & Dash, this Wonderful Duo was still without a Hit {In the Following Year, everything would change}. Of the Early Seals & Crofts Records: "Year Of Sunday", is my Favorite.
Off to a brisk start with the Minor Hit: "When I Meet Them", you will notice that Many Musical Styles jump right out at you. Pop,Folk,Country and Jazz can all be present in the span of a Single Tune, this added to the finest mesh of the Two Greatest Voices since the Mid-Sixties Heyday of Simon & Garfunkel make this Music something really special. For me, "Year Of Sunday" shows off this Duo at the peak of their Powers.
From the Epic Title Track that tells a Story of Spirit and Peaceful Leaders WITHOUT preaching, we are indeed on a Musical Journey here that I find very different to the other Popular Music of this Time {1971}. To say that this is some of the Finest Crafted Pop Music of it's Time would be at the Least an Understatement, as this Music is Complex, and at the same time so easy to soak in and enjoy on a Basic level.
From the Good Time Country of: "Springfield Mill" to the Jazzy: "High On A Mountian" onto the African Styles of: "Sudan Village" {Paul Simon would outright steal this one to create: "Graceland" 15 Years later}, there is a lot to drink in here. Arrangements of these Gems almost steal the Limelight from the Harmonies, but everything fits together just right.
This Great Record along with the very first Doobie Brothers Release are my two favorite American Records of a Big Year in Popular Music. This Fine Record belongs in any Music Collection..."Year Of Sunday"...FIVE STARS !!!"
Dash Crofts said this was their best album
steve'o | New York | 10/03/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Dash Crofts said, "this was our best album it was musically rich and filled with well crafted songs, Jimmy and I were just starting to find our nitch."
I have to agree with one of the other reviewers who suggested a real fan
would only need "Year of Sunday," "Summer Breeze," and "Diamond Girl" to get the feel of their sound.
I loved this duo but I have to admitt after the success of "Diamond Girl"
they lost their innocents and became too top 40.
This one really is a lost gem and deserves shelf space.
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1