Search - Tokens :: Both Sides Now

Terrific reissue! Heartwarming 60s sunshine pop!

Blind man Wayne | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA United States | 06/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who enjoy late 60s sunshine pop and harmony groups may find this Tokens release most enjoyable! Originally released in 1971 on LP as Buddah BDS-5059, the Tokens' `Both Sides Now' demonstrates their versatility as very talented song writers, musicians, and producers. Included in this fine CD reissue are several of their hard-to-find mid to late 60s hits such as `I Hear Trumpets Blow' originally released as B. T. Puppy single 518 and was a #30 in 1966, and `He's In Town' originally released as B. T. Puppy single 502 and was a #43 hit in 1964. Also presented is their lovely soft-pop classic `She Lets Her Hair Down (Early in the Morning)' originally released as Buddah single 151 and a #61 hit in 1969. There are several very good covers of classic tunes like `Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell and `If I Were A Carpenter' by Tim Hardin. Featured as well is a very nice rerecording of the classic `The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. Normally I don't care for remakes, but this version is just as good, if not better than the original. It is softer and makes me think of a quiet night in a jungle. `Both Sides Now' is a very enjoyable listen with excellent audio quality.



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Wow - I had no idea the Tokens had this in them...

The Music Man | United States | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was one of those rare "wow" moments for me - you know, when you hear something great for the very first time, and you can't get it out of your head for days. It was like that for me when I first heard the Zombies "Odyssey & Oracle", and the Beach Boys' "Sunflower". Now, here it is again, with The Tokens (!) "Both Sides Now". I discovered this disc while I was looking into the Sunshine Pop genre, and frankly, wasn't much interested in hearing the shaggy end of the artists who had given us the iconic one-hit wonder of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - but after listening to some clips online, I had to take a dive. The Tokens sound was rooted in 50s-era doo-wop as well as international folk songs for their most successful years, and this album keeps that touchstone everpresent, with the lead-off track "Both Sides Now" importing a ghostly "Wimoweh" fragment into the arrangement, but it works. It works very well. The Tokens lead singer has a beautiful voice, expressive and supple, able to leap into a sweet falsetto with all the ease of Brian Wilson. Other songs that I really dig are the covers of Melanie's "Beautiful People" (totally stuck in my head), their subtle reworking of The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby", the fantastic power pop of "I Hear Trumpets Blow" and yes, even their faithful reworking of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which I think sounds even better than their original hit version. The Tokens foray into light psychedelia unfortunately didn't translate into sales success, but "Both Sides Now" deserves much better, and for discerning listeners, this album will be a revelation."