Search - Lee Mallory :: That's the Way It's Gonna Be

A jewel from the 60s; just as great today

Eric Meece | San Jose CA | 10/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""That's the Way It's Gonna Be" was a single from 1966, the height of a time when the new psychedelic music of the Beatles was emerging and when the "folk-rock" genre of Bob Dylan was peaking. This song combines the two. It sounds as great today as it did then, and always will. Based on a Phil Ochs song, Lee Mallory makes it into a dynamic ballad, and his resonant and powerful voice elevates it into a classic statement of courage and magical resolution. The producer, the late Curt Boettcher, who at the same time was producing, arranging and co-writing the songs for The Association, added eerie and powerful vocal effects and instrumental arrangements that are hauntingly beautiful and recreate all the ambience of the 60s, and indeed all times of creative ferment. The original flip side, "Many Are the Times," written by Mallory, is the second track of the album, and is another great one. The singing and arrangement by Mallory and Boettcher is downright heavenly and cosmic. The rest of the album highlights Mallory's stylish and affecting singing voice as he tranverses genres from folk, pop and blues to emerging psychedelia. Most of the songs are his own. His lyrics often have to do with finding the courage to be ourselves and to be honest in love. He celebrates the Be-in, and with Joey Stec he weaves a powerful guitar tune and lyric called "Talk About." Mallory, Stec and Boettcher were members of The Millennium group that released the cult favorite and pioneering album "Begin," among other great albums."