Search - Kingston Trio :: At the Santa Monica Auditorium

Goodbye to Dave

J. C. Hulett | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/27/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In a strange way, this is sort of a companion piece to "The Kingston Trio, the Final Concert" which was recorded six years later in June, 1967.



In '67, the lineup of Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and John Stewart was hanging it up after six years of touring and recording. In the Spring of '61, Dave Guard -- founder and the musical leader of the group -- was about to vamoose, although neither the Trio nor public were certain sure of that when this mono recording was made on a Friday night in late April.



On April 21, 1961 -- when this disk was recorded on the Santa Monica Civic's house system -- the group was still two weeks away from its final overdub session for the Capitol album "Goin' Places," and three weeks away from the May 11th showdown at the Columbus Tower in San Francisco where Mr. Guard issued demands for changes in the band and Reynolds and Shane replied "Sorry, no."



Their curt refusal caused Dave Guard to tender his resignation from The Kingston Trio, Incorporated; within ninety days, John Stewart was hired to pick up Dave's fallen torch, and the Trio went on to further fame and fortune.



Dave, after one (released) album with The Whiskeyhill Singers, moved to Australia and exited the American consciousness.



On "Live At the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium," however, he is still leader of the most popular singing group in the United States. He introduces the lion's share of songs (mostly numbers from their most recent batch of albums) and dominates the Auditorium's stage. Tom DeLisle, author of the disk's liner notes, writes that Guard is here "overreaching, and maybe even hogging the limelight -- establishing his primacy over the others..."



Uh, no. Guard is doing in Santa Monica what he did in hundreds of other shows, being the main joke teller and spinner of tales. Just as 22-year-old John Stewart did seven months later. Because that was the act, that was the format, and it didn't change just because one of the singers did. Listen close, and you'll hear many of the same comical asides and quips that were still percolating from the act years later.



Because it was, first and foremost, an act. Polished, professional, and entertaining. Designed to seduce an audience into believing that Nick, Bob and Dave-later-John were having a terrific time singing and playing guitars and banjos. And making up the jokey byplay as they went along.



When Guard departed there were changes, because Stewart had a different comedic approach and delivery than Dave Guard possessed, but the structure of the KT, Inc. remained much the same: Sing your heart out, tell funny stories, and wow the audience.



This disk is raggedy in the high fideliety department, but valuable as the last live recording of the hottest act in the United States in 1961. For Trio fans -- and I'm one -- it's a must-have.

"

The Guard Years!!!

WKT | Knoxville, TN United States | 11/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great time in America! It was the Golden Age(around 1957 to Nov.22 1963) and sadly we'll never see times like that again. You can't roll back the march of time but you can listen to this great CD! For me the KT with Dave Guard was it! Just wasn't a fan of John Stewart-a talented guy- but to me his voice just didn't meld with the others to create that etherial magic that is the mystery of music...Phil and Don..John and Paul--you get the picture? The audio quality isn't the best but it's not bad by any means. It's just amazing how talented these guys were and how good they sound live--they were the real deal-no studio tricks needed. Here's to you "Lady Bird" were ever you are!"