Great write-up on an often-overlooked '60s San Francisco band. That said, I do think 'Triangle' and 'Bradley's Barn' have sparked new interest in the Beaus.
I absolutely love Elliott's 'Candlestickmaker' LP and think it is one of the most criminally overlooked albums in the hippie country pantheon. I rate it as high, if not higher than Crosby's 'If I Could Only Remember My Name.' And, I will plead that people give the incredible 'Living in the Country' album by Levitt & McClure a spin (produced by Ron Eliiott). It isn't on Spotify, at least not when I last looked.
Promo copies can still be found if you dig hard enough, and often in the cheap-o bins. Its cover isn't one that makes you stop, but, my god, the music contained within is truly special. I also believe they were session musicians on Bradley's, but maybe not?
Hey, Michael....as for "Bradley's Barn", I believe you had both.....the BBs and some pretty cool session cats! Brummels Elliott on guitar and Valentino singing are about all the band members playing!
As they were in Nashville, they used several N'ville players, including the Bradley's Barn studio owner, Owen Bradley's little brother, Harold Bradley on guitar, Wayne Moss, guitar, Roy Orbison's former guitar player, Billy Sanford, and on guitar, Jerry Reed!
Thanks, Brad. I knew there was a connection somehow. I guess Elliott just came across Levitt & McClure, recognized their brilliance, and produced their one-off album (of which every copy I have come across has the promo sticker emblazoned on it and promo center labels). They are definitely credited as session musicians on his 'Candlestickmaker' LP. Dan Levitt also joined a reformed Beau Brummels in the mid-70s.
You do enough record-crate-digging, you'll end up finding a lot like that.....far more promos in the stream than street copies! They sold so few, there aren't that many that circulated, and with the thousands of promos extant, those who have them are savvy enough to know how to jettison them! Speaking as one who knew, once upon a time!
This was a terrific deep dive on a band whose two biggest hits are among my favorites of the era. I wasn't born until nearly a decade and a half after their hit-making heyday, so the only tracks to survive in regular radio airplay were the hits. It's almost impossible to do deep dives on every band, so I'm reliant on pieces like this to fill in the gaps, so I'm grateful.
That said, "Laugh Laugh" and "Just A Little" are SO good. The guitar work on "Just A Little" especially, that haunting back and forth on the bridge with the three acoustic guitar notes punctuated with the "wah-wah-waaah" of the electric guitar right after ... so good.
Thanks, Matt. Their first two hits are wonderful and the joy of digging into the music of the Beau Brummels is seeing how the innovations of those two songs led to even more startling music, especially the albums Triangle and Bradley's Barn.
The "Flintstones" appearance was one of the first occasions a rock group had portrayed themselves on an animated television program. But not the last..
Thanks for letting me know about the Cherry Red release, probably their most comprehensive compilation outside of the Rhino one.
They're a good company- I have their compilation set for Spirit, "It Shall Be", and it's probably the last word on their Ode recordings. And they've done good ones for other rock groups, too.
The beautiful brummels shaped my young life in the 60s..sal valentinos voice was in my heart .I never dated in school...iwas poor...but I was welcomed by music of the beautiful brummels . They were so great..they gave me life..Ron Elliott is a most talented guitarist.
Reading this post about the Beau Brummels is like drinking vintage wine, Robert. Once again, your links to the music support a beautiful, thoughtfully written essay. I'm hearing things in this music I never realized were there. Bravo!
Good stuff, Robert! I remember, vividly, The Brummels' Warner Bros. years (Daddy's promos brought home from the radio station)! While I don't recall the "Triangle" album all that clearly, I do remember "Bradley's Barn," probably, to begin with anyway, I'm a Bradford, and, at 13 in 1968, little things like your name partially appearing on an album cover fascinated me!
Thanks for tub-thumping Tuesday's Tune Tag! It's in the can, and looks to be a true lollapalooza (that's good, isn't it??!)! I appreciate your thorough dives into many of the tracks'n'artists! In short, it's a winner! See ya then!
What's funny is that I'm about 5-6 weeks ahead, which is good! But, when a guest and I play it is one thing. It immediately "goes to bed" once I get the guest's notes. I don't compose it til weeks later (the week before it airs), and as I don't read the notes until then (and, put it all together), that's MY surprise! Then, the fun in getting everyone's reactions!
Best article on the Brummels I have come across. They were great when they started getting back together and playing small gigs in and around San Francisco in the late 80s (early 90s?)? John married Ted Templeman's sister Roberta...my boss at Warner Bros....who I got to know very well. Strange guy, but loved reminiscing about the San Francisco scene and the Brummels. They all kept up with each other, talking about projects that never would happen, as long as I knew John. THANK YOU ROBERT FOR THIS!
Great write-up on an often-overlooked '60s San Francisco band. That said, I do think 'Triangle' and 'Bradley's Barn' have sparked new interest in the Beaus.
I absolutely love Elliott's 'Candlestickmaker' LP and think it is one of the most criminally overlooked albums in the hippie country pantheon. I rate it as high, if not higher than Crosby's 'If I Could Only Remember My Name.' And, I will plead that people give the incredible 'Living in the Country' album by Levitt & McClure a spin (produced by Ron Eliiott). It isn't on Spotify, at least not when I last looked.
Promo copies can still be found if you dig hard enough, and often in the cheap-o bins. Its cover isn't one that makes you stop, but, my god, the music contained within is truly special. I also believe they were session musicians on Bradley's, but maybe not?
'Candlestickmaker' definitely has the Crosby vibe - long to find a vinyl copy of it.
I occasionally see original copies. Next time I do, I will DM you to see if you are interested.
Awesome - appreciate it!
Hey, Michael....as for "Bradley's Barn", I believe you had both.....the BBs and some pretty cool session cats! Brummels Elliott on guitar and Valentino singing are about all the band members playing!
As they were in Nashville, they used several N'ville players, including the Bradley's Barn studio owner, Owen Bradley's little brother, Harold Bradley on guitar, Wayne Moss, guitar, Roy Orbison's former guitar player, Billy Sanford, and on guitar, Jerry Reed!
David Briggs played keys, Kenny Buttrey played drums, Norb Putnam played bass, and I think I got everybody! https://www.discogs.com/master/109085-The-Beau-Brummels-Bradleys-Barn
Thanks, Brad. I knew there was a connection somehow. I guess Elliott just came across Levitt & McClure, recognized their brilliance, and produced their one-off album (of which every copy I have come across has the promo sticker emblazoned on it and promo center labels). They are definitely credited as session musicians on his 'Candlestickmaker' LP. Dan Levitt also joined a reformed Beau Brummels in the mid-70s.
You do enough record-crate-digging, you'll end up finding a lot like that.....far more promos in the stream than street copies! They sold so few, there aren't that many that circulated, and with the thousands of promos extant, those who have them are savvy enough to know how to jettison them! Speaking as one who knew, once upon a time!
This was a terrific deep dive on a band whose two biggest hits are among my favorites of the era. I wasn't born until nearly a decade and a half after their hit-making heyday, so the only tracks to survive in regular radio airplay were the hits. It's almost impossible to do deep dives on every band, so I'm reliant on pieces like this to fill in the gaps, so I'm grateful.
That said, "Laugh Laugh" and "Just A Little" are SO good. The guitar work on "Just A Little" especially, that haunting back and forth on the bridge with the three acoustic guitar notes punctuated with the "wah-wah-waaah" of the electric guitar right after ... so good.
Terrific write-up! 👍🏻
Thanks, Matt. Their first two hits are wonderful and the joy of digging into the music of the Beau Brummels is seeing how the innovations of those two songs led to even more startling music, especially the albums Triangle and Bradley's Barn.
The "Flintstones" appearance was one of the first occasions a rock group had portrayed themselves on an animated television program. But not the last..
Thanks for letting me know about the Cherry Red release, probably their most comprehensive compilation outside of the Rhino one.
You're welcome - I think it's twice the size of the Rhino set and has just about everything plus a ton of extras and a thorough booklet.
They're a good company- I have their compilation set for Spirit, "It Shall Be", and it's probably the last word on their Ode recordings. And they've done good ones for other rock groups, too.
A Spirit boxset sounds great! Love that band.
I agree- it's superb. A lot of material not found elsewhere on it.
More than I thought I ever needed to know about the Beau Brummels, and just wonderful.
Thank you, Lucian - appreciate the kind words, and thanks as well for the clear commentary on the US political scene.
The beautiful brummels shaped my young life in the 60s..sal valentinos voice was in my heart .I never dated in school...iwas poor...but I was welcomed by music of the beautiful brummels . They were so great..they gave me life..Ron Elliott is a most talented guitarist.
Thank you for sharing - there is a deep vitality to the music of the Beau Brummels - one of my favourites.
Reading this post about the Beau Brummels is like drinking vintage wine, Robert. Once again, your links to the music support a beautiful, thoughtfully written essay. I'm hearing things in this music I never realized were there. Bravo!
Thanks, Andrew, as always. Appreciate your support and for really digging into my stuff.
Great piece on a terrific band. Thanks. Always thought “You Tell Me Why” that begins Volume 2 was pitch perfect lost love.
Thanks so much - that's a great cut too that goes completely unmentioned in my piece - couldn't find a way to fit it in.
You covered so much much so well.
Appreciate it - been wanting to write this piece for a long time.
Good stuff, Robert! I remember, vividly, The Brummels' Warner Bros. years (Daddy's promos brought home from the radio station)! While I don't recall the "Triangle" album all that clearly, I do remember "Bradley's Barn," probably, to begin with anyway, I'm a Bradford, and, at 13 in 1968, little things like your name partially appearing on an album cover fascinated me!
Thanks for tub-thumping Tuesday's Tune Tag! It's in the can, and looks to be a true lollapalooza (that's good, isn't it??!)! I appreciate your thorough dives into many of the tracks'n'artists! In short, it's a winner! See ya then!
Looking forward to our Tune Tag finally getting out into the world. Was a lot of fun to do!
What's funny is that I'm about 5-6 weeks ahead, which is good! But, when a guest and I play it is one thing. It immediately "goes to bed" once I get the guest's notes. I don't compose it til weeks later (the week before it airs), and as I don't read the notes until then (and, put it all together), that's MY surprise! Then, the fun in getting everyone's reactions!
Dying to read your contribution to the tune tag - only two more sleeps!
Great write up Robert. I lost track of the band after "Laugh Laugh" so it was good to read the history.
Thanks, Marco. There's lots of great music to discover.
Best article on the Brummels I have come across. They were great when they started getting back together and playing small gigs in and around San Francisco in the late 80s (early 90s?)? John married Ted Templeman's sister Roberta...my boss at Warner Bros....who I got to know very well. Strange guy, but loved reminiscing about the San Francisco scene and the Brummels. They all kept up with each other, talking about projects that never would happen, as long as I knew John. THANK YOU ROBERT FOR THIS!
Thank you, David, for the very kind words! Glad you liked the piece.