- Tom Sellers (RIP 1988) - bass, keyboards
  

- Gulliver

Genre: pop 

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  The Assembled Multitude

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8262

Year: 1970

Country/State: USA

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4

Price: $9.00

Cost: $1.00

The brainchild of the late Tom Sellers,  I can't even begin to explain why this LP is such a kick to me ...

Originally a staff writer working for John Madara's production company, by the late 1960s Sellers was a veteran of the Philadelphia-based band Gulliver (along with Daryl Hall of future Hall and Oates fame).  Following the band's collapse Sellers focused his attention on production work, forming The Assembled Multitude as a studio vehicle for his in-studio experiments.

Atlantic Records somehow decided it would be a good idea to release Sellers' MOR cover of The Who's 'Overture from Tommy (A Rock Opera)' as a single.  

- 1970's 'Overture from Tommy (A Rock Opera)' b/w 'Mud' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2737)

Even though it was easily one of the year's lamest singles, it promptly became a top-20 hit, leading Atlantic to finance a supporting album.  Produced by Sellers, 1970's "The Assembled Multitude" did little to stray from Sellers' MOR tendencies.  Featuring a collection of  heavily orchestrated rock numbers with a couple of equally forgettable originals thrown in the mix, this was a rock LP for grannies.  It's so bad as to actually be kind of cool.  It's probably worth the entrance fee just to hear Sellers' cover of Neil Young's 'Ohio'.  A sad reflection of early 1970s popular tastes, the LP reached out to Joni Mitchell, back to Tommy for  two more singles:

- 1970's' Woodstock' b/w 'Mr. Peppercorn' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2764).  

- 1971's 'Medley from "Superstar' (A Rock Opera)' b/w 'Medley from "Supersta' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2780) 

"The Assembled Multitude" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Overture from "Tommy" (A Rock Opera) (instrumental)  (Peter Townshend) - 2:30

2.) Woodstock (instrumental)   (Joni Mithcell) - 2:15

3.) Where the Woodbine Twineth (instrumental)   (Tom Sellers) - 2:35

4.) Ohio (instrumental)   (Neil Young) - 2:08

5,) Singalong Junk (instrumental)   (Paul McCartney) - 1:45

6.) MacArthur Park   (Jim Webb) (instrumental) - 3:35

(side 2)

1.)  The Princess and the Soldier   (Tony Hazzard) (instrumental) - 2:30

2.) Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa   (Burt Bacharach - Hal David) (instrumental) 2:32

3.) While My Guitar Gently Sleeps (instrumental)   (George Harrison) - 4:11

4.) Mr. Peppercorn (instrumental)   (Tom Sellers) - 2:30

5.) I Want You (She's So Heavy)  (instrumental)  (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 4:24

If anyone cares, there was one more single before the project drew to a close.

- 1972's 'The Godfather Waltz' b/w 'The Godfather Waltz' (ATCO catalog number 45-2870)

I don't know if it was Seller's group, or not, but, produced by Michael Lloyd, 1981 saw the release of another 45 credited to The Assembled Multitude: 

- 1981's 'The from "Cosmos" (Heaven and Hell" b/w 'Chariots of Fire (Titles Themes)' (Eric catalog number 5017)

Sellers enjoyed minor successes as a producer, but died in a tragic March 1988 house fire.