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!
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".
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
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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!
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!
Thanks, Andrew, as always. I'm touched by the generosity of your comments. Thank you!
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".
I'm far less familiar with his 70s stuff but remember very well his version of 'Rockin' Pneumonia...' and have that on 45.
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
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.'
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.
You're very welcome, Mark! Enjoy the music of Johnny Rivers!
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.
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.
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.
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').
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.'
I have the self-titled one which is great - long been a fan of his version of 'Stormy Monday.' Need to get more!
That was fun. My brother used to play his music a bunch back in the LBJ years.
Thanks so much - I had a lot of fun writing it.
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.
Oh - you're very welcome. For sure, get those records out and give them a spin!
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!
Thank you! Glad you liked the piece and there will be more stuff like this in the future for sure.
Thanks so much - I've made that correction.