Ron Elliott shows maturing skill as a songwriter
Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 06/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of my current soap box arguments is that the Beau Brummels are the best Sixties group that you (a) never heard of or (b) do not remember, even though they were the first American rock band influenced by the Beatles to have a hit ("Laugh, Laugh," produced by Sly Stone, which hit #15 in 1965). They were considered by many to be the first folk-rock group (yes, they were recording before the Byrds) and were also out in front of the San Francisco psychedelic sound. Eventually they even got around to experimenting with country-rock as well by the end of the Sixties. The pan centered around guitarist/songwriter Ron Elliott and lead singer Sal Valentino. Elliott's music was both moody and melodious, and with Valentino the Beau Brummels had one of the finest voices in rock 'n' roll. You just want to know going in that if I can persuade you to check out one Beau Brummel album you are going to end up wanting to track down some more of their music. After their debut album "Trinagle," a 1967 release, would be the Beau Brummel's second strongest album, avoiding the failing of the efforts in between where original material was sacrificed for weaker covers to try and boister their commercial prospects. Rounding out the group is bass player Ron Meagher, but Van Dyke Parks shows up to play some really nice harpsichord and keyboards on this album. The songs eleven songs on "Triangle" represent the full music spectrum of the Beau Brummels, with folk-rock, country-rock, and British-pop all mixed together. In the wake of "Sgt. Pepper," there is an impulse to think of "Triangle" as also being a concept album, with many of the songs dealing with the mystical aspects of dreams, but the end result is more a consistent theme than a cohesive whole. What would have been Side 1 offers something of a music trip around the world, with "Dreaming Now" evoking Paris and "Painter of Women" sending listeners to the desert. "Magic Hollow" is undoubtedly the most beautiful song Elliott every wrote and "The Wolf of Velvet Fortune" features Valentino's finest vocal work. In late 2002 Collector's Choice increased reissuing the album on CD, which also speaks to the strength of an album that deserves to be rediscovered, made by a group that deserves to be remembered."
Untitled
Lawrance M. Bernabo | 07/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This superb album reminds us of "Younger Than Yesterday" by the Byrds from the same year. This album effectively mixes country, pop, psychedelia, and folk-rock. "Magic Hollow", "Painter of Women", "Wolf of Velvet Fortune", "I'm Only Dreaming Now", "Triangle", and "Nine Pound Hammer" are just some of the incredible songs the Beau Brummels were writing/covering at the time. Ron Elliot's song writing is very strange, intense, and mystical. How this album slipped out of the public's eye is one of life's great mysteries. This is mainly a critic's album. If your a fan of the Dead, Led Zepplin, or late Pink Floyd you may not like the Beau Brummels or for that matter understand them.There are very few San Fransisco albums this strong. The albums "From The Vaults" and "Bradley's Barn" are also excellent and highly recommended."
An over looked classic
Scott Marchington | La Pine Oregon | 04/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music is haunting and felt deep. I contine to be amazed at the depth of quality in the music, all from a time when albums contained a hit, mayby another good song or two, but was mostly filler. This one is great from the begining to the end. This is like the Beatles Revolver. A dramatic change in direction form thier previous efforts. I especially liked "Magic Hollow""
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1