Search - Beau Brummels :: San Fran Sessions

Monument to one of San Francisco's great 60s pop bands

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 04/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A truly superb collection that mines a surprisingly deep vein of unreleased Beau Brummels tapes. It's amazing that there is so much listenable material, given that the band's original output on the Autumn label only amounted to a couple of LPs.The unreleased alternate versions provide a rare glimpse into the making of hit songs, and the demos of previously unreleased titles show the band to be even deeper than their albums revealed. While their sound marked them as an answer to the British Invasion, their songwriting, especially that of Ron Elliot, was more akin to the growing folk-rock and singer-songwriter movements.While clearly aimed at Beau Brummels completists (the original LP reissues, greatest hits compilation, and single-disc rarities issue "Autumn of Their Years" are cheaper ways to introduce yourself to the band), this set is anything but a dull recitation of half-finished masters. There is a lot of gold to be found here, and the sequencing and liner notes make this a collection that you'll actually play over and over."

Stellar look at the unreleased works of brilliant S.F. band

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 3-CD set ups the ante on Rhino's previously issued "From the Vault" LP and Big Beat's single-CD "Autumn of Their Years." It is truly astounding that a band that only issued two LPs on the Autumn label would have 3 full CDs of great tracks in the vault. This LP repeats tracks from both Rhino and Big Beat's previous efforts, but extends them in a frenzy of great demos, alternative takes and unreleased tracks.While not the best introduction to the Brummels, this is a terrifically listenable compilation. A few repeated tracks, showing some of the Brummels best songs in different stages of completion or arrangements, are a treat rather than a drudge. Lots of demo session from both Sal Valentino and Ron Elliot, including a few really great Valentino compositions that never got recorded by the full band. Also included are tracks from their aborted 3rd album.Liner notes include recent interviews with all band members, and give some really interesting insight into the pre-hippie San Francisco scene.Sundazed deserves an award for this one."