Search - Cowsills :: In Concert

Get Yer Gee-Gollies Out!!!

Tom Tuerff | That there Phoenix place | 01/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Reading about the recent death of Barry Cowsill from the effects of Hurricane Katrina reminded me that once, many a moon ago (35 years plus), I owned a Cowsills album. It was this one. I bought it because it had the single "Hair" on it, which was a huge hit and one of my favorite songs back then. (Give me a break. I was 11.)



Anyway, what I remember about this album was being a little disappointed that there were no live performances of actual Cowsills hits. But once I listened to it, I thought, who cares? These kids, while not exactly session-musician material, were pretty damn good at covers.



Plus, at the ripe old age I was back then, oldies was not a radio format. So the Cowsills' versions of some of these songs were the first exposure I had to them. When I finally heard the real versions later, it amazed me how close the family band was to replicating the sound in some cases.



The soul songs come off the best, actually -- weird when you remember that these are a bunch of white kids from Rhode Island.



When you think about it the kids probably DID play their hits live, too, but they were all so dependent on studio enhancement that putting them on a live disc wouldn't really serve a purpose except to make them sound anemic.



Footnote: The only time I ever saw the Cowsills live was on TV; specifically the Dick Cavett Show. They performed "Hair" live, and included the "Mary Loved her Son/Why don't my mother love me" verse, which was missing from the single. The entire band (including mom) looked tired, angry and bored. But oddly enough, they sounded pretty good. And that's all you can ask for from a band sometimes.



Recommended if you remember the Cowsills, but don't start here. A greatest-hits CD will do you much better.



TT"

One of the Best LIVE LP's ever!!!

John Cannon | 09/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This digital version of The Cowsills Live LP is one of the best in my collection. The Cowsills are recorded doing covers by the Mamas and the Papas, The Beach Boys and many other artists of the times. They even throw in a few Motown greats which are just superbly done. With ever new track, you get to hear more of this talented family's musical and vocal abilities. The amazing fact about this terrific compilation, is that the ages of the performers were 8 to 19. Tell me that isn't raw talent??? You gotta get this CD!!!"

Unusual Collection of Live 60's Hits

John Cannon | 06/21/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"They were a pretty good live act, as this CD demonstrates, and their harmonies were great on stage and on record. Still, most of the songs on this CD cannot be improved upon, and thus, only Cowsills fans will get a kick out of hearing them. Note: "Hair," "Milk Song," "All My Days," "Nothing to Do," and "Fun Song" are studio recordings--all others are live versions. Decent liner notes, and satisfactory sound."