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Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

Listening to these songs in light of your perspective gives me good reason to reassess this artist and his music. I feel as if I never gave Rivers his due. As usual, I learned plenty from this retrospective and really enjoyed the selections you’ve included. Bravo, Robert!

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks, Andrew, as always. I'm touched by the generosity of your comments. Thank you!

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David Perlmutter's avatar

He's very underappreciated. Rhino put out an anthology of him, and he has at least one greatest hits collection out, but, other than that, not much talk. But he did end up getting a Record of the Year Grammy as a producer when "Up, Up And Away" got it in 1967.

His 70s stuff is interesting. "Summer Rain" is an enchanting ballad, and he also had a hit with a revival of "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

I'm far less familiar with his 70s stuff but remember very well his version of 'Rockin' Pneumonia...' and have that on 45.

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Lawrence's avatar

Interesting fact: Johnny Rivers was NOT the first one to record "Secret Agent Man". It was originally recorded in 1965 by a group called "the Challengers" on an album called "the Man From U.N.C.L.E." You can here it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTOYLGkpcW8

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Oh wow - I did not know that. Thanks for sharing and for the YouTube link. Hearing the riff in this version makes me feel it's as much a take off on the James Bond theme as it is of 'Out of Limits.'

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Mark Nash's avatar

Another wonderful introduction to an artist I wasn’t familiar with, outside of “Secret Agent Man” but enjoyed just about everything I heard here, particularly the tracks from “Changes”, which I’m currently enjoying. Thanks for such a lovely essay and the introduction to a new-to-me artist.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

You're very welcome, Mark! Enjoy the music of Johnny Rivers!

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Michael K. Fell's avatar

The only Rivers album I have is 'Realization.' As a teen and into my twenties, I was a psych head who wanted to dive deeper beyond the obvious and also discovered artists who also flirted with psych. 'Realization' is one I picked up decades ago based purely on its cover, and I always liked it. It is similar, in a sense, to Del Shannon's 'Charles Westover' album or even Lee Michaels' first, 'Carnival of Life,' but more straightforward and poppy.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

It's a bit more restrained than the 'Charles Westover' album (should know the first Lee Michaels' album better than I do) and is quite good but doesn't gel quite as well as the two albums prior to it: 'Changes' and 'Rewind,' which are just exquisite. That being said, 'Summer Rain' is a monster track as is 'Going Back to Big Sur' and some of the others.

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Michael K. Fell's avatar

Agreed with the more restrained, and definitely not as dark as 'Charles Westover.' By making the comparison, I meant that these titles were anomalies in their catalog. The 1st Lee Michaels album is superb. Some great guitar on it from Hamilton W. Watt.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

I've heard bits of the Lee Michaels album and love what I have heard - he's someone who has long been defined by one song ('Do You Know What I Mean').

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Michael K. Fell's avatar

The first six Michaels LPs have some great moments and some mixed ('Recital,' and the '5th,' are the weakest, imo, but 'Carnival,' 'S/T (blue LP), and 'Barrel' are superb! I also like a lot of 'Space & First Takes.'

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

I have the self-titled one which is great - long been a fan of his version of 'Stormy Monday.' Need to get more!

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Bill Weigel's avatar

That was fun. My brother used to play his music a bunch back in the LBJ years.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much - I had a lot of fun writing it.

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Daniel Helkenn's avatar

Thanks for this. He’s extremely underrated. “Summer Rain” was a staple growing up. I still have all the works you describe in my vinyl collection. I think it may be time to revisit them.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Oh - you're very welcome. For sure, get those records out and give them a spin!

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Flicks & Forks's avatar

This was a wonderful read! I am a Rivers fan and learned a few things I didn't know in your post. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to more great music info here! Thanks so much!

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thank you! Glad you liked the piece and there will be more stuff like this in the future for sure.

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Feb 25
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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much - I've made that correction.

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