On the original vinyl album from which this Collectors’ Choice CD hails, there are notes from Phyllis Burgess of TEEN magazine. These notes begin, “Some people think musicians are weird, and many would think The Association weird.” Her reasoning is that as individuals the members of The Association have funny little quirks, like putting the mirrors in their house up high so as not to be too vain! Well … let me say that one look at the be-suited conglomeration of would-be accountants on the cover makes me think The Association are weird! And I thought so in 1968, too. They sure could sing, though!
One Friday night at a class party, I waited and waited for an opportunity to ask Laura to dance! Finally the mellow tones of “Cherish” came from the little record player. I took Laura’s hand, we walked to the centre of the floor, took a couple of tentative steps, and somebody cried, “That’s enough of that @#$%!” and switched records for Jimi Hendrix … “Foxy Lady” indeed!
All this is to make clear that this album has real memories attached to it.
The Association did look like accountants. They sounded like choirboys. Even moreso than the Beach Boys. Production is crisp and clean, and instruments appear that you might not expect, such as tone generators and oscillators! But mainly, it’s down to the vocals by Russ Giguere, Brian Cole, Ted Bluechel, Gary Alexander, Terry Kirkman and Jim Yester. They started as a folk-rock group and after a couple of unsuccessful singles and the appearance of producer Curt Boettcher quickly turned to radio-friendly pop. But it was presented with a brilliant sheen and professionally arranged harmonies that even today maintain a freshness that sets them apart from other bands of the day.
Boettcher is one of those legendary California wunderkinds whose career found him producing the Beach Boys, Tanya Tucker, Nigel Olsson and others, providing vocals for the Grease soundtrack and on albums by Elton John, Bruce Johnston, Eric Carmen, Bob Crewe and Helen Reddy. He passed away in 1987, but left behind a sonic gold mine; and then…along comes The Association is from that mine.
The album produced two hits, including “Cherish” and “Along Comes Mary,” and has 10 other songs. Session musicians including guitarist Mike Deasy, bassist Jerry Scheff and percussionists Jim Troxel and Toxey French add to the audio perfection. The whole thing is a semi-psychedelic jambalaya overlayed with harmonies galore. It’s shiny happy music, just right for summer cruising!
(Collectors Choice, 2006)
