1967 MONO THE LEFT BANKE WALK AWAY RENEE Garage psych

$

52

 1967 MONO ORIGINAL!                                   

CLASSIC BAROQUE & GARAGE ROCK POP CRAFT PERFECTION                     

                   The Left Banke

               Walk Away Renee

                 Pretty Ballerina

                    USA - SMASH Records - MGS 27088 - MONO

Original 1967 first pressing in MONO ...the first of two great Left Banke albums, this one featuring their classic Walk Away Renee & Pretty Ballerina groovesm but the whole album is pretty amazing -- song for song...luscious crafty baroque pop & garage mixes... 

There are several theories on just how baroque pop came about. Most say it was an offshoot of 60s psychedelia, leading to say, bombastic Moody Blues experiments. Others (and I mean you Rolling Stone magazine) say it originated with the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby". Then there's the Left Banke. I'd be pretty sad in a world without bands like Belle and Sebastian, but they'd hardly exist if it weren't for the Left Banke, who were a delicate and fey pop band who used lots of harpsichord and strings to embellish its songs. Very pretty indeed..like "Pretty Ballerina", a track which reminds me of one of those old fashioned music boxes which plays music when you open it.

The Left Banke's breakthrough came when they recorded the song 'Walk Away Renee'. Written by a lovesick Brown, then lusting over ban member Tim Finn's girlfriend, the song featured an arresting harpsichord solo and Martin's borderline cloying vocals. Originally shopped around to dozens of companies, none expressed an interest in the song. Luckily for the band, having produced the song at his own expense, Brown's father producer Harry Lookofsky persisted in his efforts to market the song, eventually convinced Mercury's Smash subsidiary to pick up distribution rights. Released as a single, (b/w 'I Haven't Got the Nerve' Smash catalog number 2041) the track became a sudden and unexpected hit, cresting at # 5, turning the group into overnight stars. 

Braced by their initial success, in early 1967 the group returned to the studio to record the sound-alike follow-up single 'Pretty Ballerina' b/w 'Lazy Day' (Smash catalog number 2074). Like it's predecessor, the single became a top-40 hit. As was then normal marketing practice, hoping to capitalize on their initial successes, the group was rushed into the studio to record a supporting album. Unfortunately, with the exception of Brown, who was a classically trained keyboardist (and who had written most of the band's material), none of the other members had any musical training. As a result, they found themselves with very little to do in the recording process. Relegated to the sidelines, most of 1967's cleverly titled "Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina" was played by studio musicians including guitarist Hugh McCracken and drummer Al Rogers. Adding insult to injury, producer/manager Lookofsky booted guitarist Winfield, replacing him with former Spyders guitarist Rick Brand. Still, in contrast to most quickie albums, the collection proved a sterling debut. While hastily recorded with minimal investment and in the midst of a personnel upheaval which saw guitarist Winfield replaced by Rick Brand; Brown's sweet voice and uncanny commercial instincts (he wrote or co-wrote all but one track) carried the day. Exemplified by material such as 'I've Got Something On My Mind', 'Let Go of You' and 'I Haven't Got the Nerve' the album featured a highly enjoyable blend of top-40 pop and more ornate instrumentation. Labeled 'baroque' by the press (thanks to their use of harpsichords and classical influenced string arrangements), the album made for one of the year's freshest and most enjoyable debuts. Elsewhere, the feedback propelled 'Lazy Day' stood as the collection's oddest offering. Inexplicably, in spite of two top-20 singles, the set could do no better than # 67. Adding to the band's problems, shortly after the album's release a frustrated Brown quit to pursue solo interests

CONDITION: The cover is strong and solid, no problem with seams, the only issue is small stray shelf wear...the picture isn't picking it up as it is not pronounced, per se, but there...and still it's a keeper with the album being such a 'hot' collectible item.

The vinyl is glossy both sides but having scattered fine soft scuff hairlines, not as bad as it sounds and visual is VG+, however, plays enjoyable with minimal surface, hardly anything and ultimately an enjoyable rewarding listen. Play graded VG++ and better.

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record