Sounds of Modification
Band members Related acts
line up 1 (1967-68) - Joe Cavalea -- vocals, brass - Mike "Butch" Cavouto -- drums, percussion - Bob Dorsa -- vocals, bass - Frank Porcelli -- vocals, lead guitar - Pete Maletta -- keyboards
supporting musicians: - RIchie Cruzz -- horns - Steve Harber -- horns - JImmy Huss -- horns
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- Gator (Mike Cavouto) - The Naked Truth Band (Joe Cavalea) - The Rhythm and Blues Express Band (Bruce Cavouto) - Summer Breeze (Frank Porcelli)
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Genre: pop Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Sounds of Modification Company: Jubilee Catalog: JGS-7013 Country/State: Long Island, New York Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: -- Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD Price: SOLD $30.00
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Sounds of Modification was one of Long Island's contribution to the flood of mid-'60s pop bands that straddled "summer of love" styled "sunshine" pop and late inning pop-psych influences. The group featured the talents of horn player Joe Cavalea, drummer Mike "Butch" Cavouto, bassist Bob Dorsa, guitarist Frank Porcelli and keyboard player Pete Maletta.
Having
begun to attract some attention playing local New York clubs, dances and
colleges (The Bridal Patch, The Fox Theatre, Thee Ye Olde Red Lion Tavern,
Hofstra's College), they fou
For anyone curious, to learn more about the group, they started a Facebook page at: https://m.facebook.com/thesoundsofmodification/
"Sounds of
Modification" track listing: 1.) Balloon Man (Bob Gallo) - 2:50 rating: *** stars If you were looking for a song which dripped mid-'60s vibes, 'Balloon Man' would be a good choice. It's all here - mild Brian Wilson flavors, summer of love lyrics; catchy, radio friendly vibe and a slight psych tinge. Surprising to see the track wasn't tapped as a single. 2.) I'm Gonna Buy a People (Bob Gallo) - 2:23 rating: *** stars Well, I'm certain it was innocent, but the title probably isn't what we'd consider politically correct today. Featuring a bouncy melody, Joe Cavalea's horns, and group vocals 'I'm Gonna Buy a People' was a good example of their pop-psych moves. Cute, but also awfully close to irritating. 3.) What Is This in the Mist (Bob Gallo) - 2:30 rating: **** stars 'What Is This in the Mist' found producer Bob Gallo and the band diving headlong into psychedelia. All but abandoning their earlier pop moves, this one threw in a wide array of sound effects, treated vocals, and a lysergic aura for an atypical, but interesting track. Not sure who took lead vocals, but this was one of the best vocals on the album. Shame it was so short. 4.) You (Barry Gibb) - 3:16 rating: ** stars Producer Gallo was apparently friends with Barry Gibb\. Gibb showed up at one of their recording sessions, leading to their cover. A sappy, over-orchestrated ballad, the album's lone outside cover, their take on The Bee Gees' 'You' wasn't all that different from the original. Needless performance. 5.) Try and Forget Me (Bob Gallo) - 1:50 rating: *** stars Opening up with some bouncy Cavalea's horns, 'Try and Forget Me' offered up the album's most pop-oriented track. Almost bubblegum in structure, it was quite radio friendly and equally disposable.
(side 2) 1.) You Are Asking for the Key (Bob Gallo) - 2:55 rating: * star It's almost as if mid-'60s recording contracts included a clause that all bands had to include at least one hokey, country-styled tune on their albums. Sounds of Modification responded with the hideous 'You Are Asking for the Key.' Imagine one of those faux-country tunes on a Monkees album. No, it wasn't cute. Total yech! Bassist Dorsa on lead vocals. 2.) Tell Me (Bob Gallo) - 3:02 rating: **** stars In spite of the overwhelming orchestration that threatened to drown out the band, the ballad 'Tell Me' was one of the few performances where the band actually managed to showcase a bit of originality. Another track with a slight psych tinge and another highlight. 3.) Going to a Place Called Love (Bob Gallo) - 2:25 rating: **** stars Cavalea's opening horns gave 'Going to a Place Called Love' a circus-like feel and then the song dived into prime pop-psych territory. Complete with weird time signature, vocal effects, backwards tapes, and those horns, it was actually a pretty cool song, though far too short. 4.) I'm Painting a Picture (Bob Gallo) - 2:15 rating: *** stars Pete Maletta's plunking keyboard chords have always reminded me of Benny Anderson's playing style. Elsewhere 'I'm Paining a Picture' was an up-tempo, horn-powered rocker. Better vocals would have helped since these ones sounded like they'd been recorded after the band had finished running a marathon. 5.) Toreador (Bob Gallo) - 4:45 rating: *** stars The opening sound effects, horns and melody certainly sounded like you were sitting in the midst of a bullfight. That was underscored by Frank Porcelli's flamenco-styled acoustic guitar. Can't say I was a big fan of the group vocals and the bullfighter theme was just lame.
The band also released a series of three non-LP 45s. Co-written by Gallo and Joe Cavalea, 'Darkness Fills My Lonely Heart' was a psych number far better than anything on the album. Also written by Gallo the bubblegum-psych tinged 'Carry On Carole' was one of their stronger performances. Great hook. - 1968's 'Darkness Fills My Lonely Heart' b/w 'I'm Down Again' (Jubilee catalog number 45-5637) - 1968's 'Carry On Carole' b/w Darkness Fills My Lonely Heart' (Jubilee catalog number 45-5640) - 1969's 'Umbrella Song' b/w 'I Don't Know That (Jubilee catalog number 45-5653)
In 1972 they released a sophomore album under the band name "A New Place To Live."
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