line-up 1 (1968)

- Robert Allen (RIP 2000) -- concept, keyboards

- Ray Ellis (RIP 2008) -- concept, sax

- Ray Ellis and His Gypsies

- Ray Ellis and His Orchestra

- Ray Ellis and His Orchestra and Chorus

Genre: pop

Rating: 2 stars **

Title:  Groovin' On the Sunshine

Company: RCA Victor

Catalog: LSP-4021
Year: 1968

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1298

Price: $20.00

So for anyone who thinks the '60s were musical nirvana, I offer up Three Ring Circus as an example of how that outlook is just plain wrong.  First off, who in their right mind puts a scary clown on an album cover ?   Who releases an album that replicates the same tunes with vocal and instrumental arrangements ?   Talk about the ultimate consumer exploitation collection !!!

So this obscure puppy was the product of songwriter Robert Allen and sax player/orchestra leader/arranger Ray Ellis. Clearly a studio project recorded by an anonymous  collection of studio musicians, 1967's "Groovin' On the Sunshine" was a sham effort to take advantage of the public's passing interest in sunshine-pop.  Note the liner notes included this little descriptive tidbit: "conjuring up their own infinite amount of mind-bending, kaleidoscopic images".  There are some hardcore fans out there who swear by this album, but to me it reeks of blatant marketing.  Material like the title track, 'I Can't Be Trusted' and the single 'So True' were among the most middle-of-the-road late-60s pop product I've ever heard.  In spite of ham-fisted efforts to make it cool with various studio effects (Coral sitar, sound effects, hip lyrics), this stuff was not that far removed from  the pap Mitch Miller and the Gang were selling to retirees.  It was made even worse by the fact five of the songs were duplicated with vocal and instrumental versions.  The two exceptions were 'I Can't Be Trusted' which was only presented as a vocal and 'Fantastic Voyage' which did not have a vocal version.  RCA released 'So True' as a single, though having it delivered to select New York City radio stations by an actor dressed as a clown did nothing to help promote it.  Otherwise the company did virtually nothing to promote the album, probably explaining why it quickly landed in cutout bins.  By the way, the back panel black and white clown face was even more scary than the cover photo.

"Groovin' On the Sunshine" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Groovin' On the Sunshine (Robert Allen) - 3:31 rating: ** stars

The heavily orchestrated 'Groovin' On the Sunshine' was a half-witted effort to take a saccharine pop tune and turn it into a cool, lysergic-tinged, hip musical event. Listening to the bland group vocals it wasn't hard to envision the master of middle-of-the-road banality Mitch Miller and the Gang after someone had spiked their water cooler and started flashing a Dead styled light show in the recording studio. Complete with oddball "psych" sound effects, Herb Albert-styled trumpet, madcap laughter, explosions and patented '70s lyrics ("groovin on the sunshine, listening to the flowers ...", it made for a weird experience from start to finish.  The one thing the song managed to do well is make time slow down.   Given how insipid the song was it should not have come as a surprise to see RCA tap it as a single:

- 1968's 'Groovin' On the Sunshine' b/w 'So True' (RCA Victor catalog number 61-9537)

Surrounded by a children's choir, the late Sesame Street's Bob McGrath recorded an even funnier (or perhaps slightly creepy) version of the song in 1970 (Affinity catalog number A45-201A/B). 

2.) So True (Robert Allen) - 2:44 rating: ** stars

The ballad 'So True' had the energy of a dried out worm.  Even grandma and grandpa would have found this one tedious.  The only things worthwhile on this one was were the brief sax and Stevie Wonder-styled harmonica solos.  Never thought I'd say that in a review.  The song reappeared as the "B" side to the title track 45.

3.) I Can't Be Trusted (Robert Allen) - 2:22  rating: *** stars

Wow, talk about a '60s timepiece ...  Opening up with a poppy horn arrangement you were treated to a bunch of anonymous studio singers trying to be cool and dangerous ...  so bad it was actually kind of enjoyable.   Love the "yeah-yeahs" that punctuated the song.  Would have made a good toothpaste commercial.  There was no instrumental version of this song.

4.) Lovin' Machine (Robert Allen) - 3:08  rating: *** stars

Okay, I'll admit 'Lovin' Machine' actually had a mildly enjoyable melody and the lyrics were unintentionally hysterical.  Hearing the ladies chirping on about getting a Lovin' Machine was just too funny.  Extra star for making me smile.

5.) Too Much of a Good Thing (Robert Allen) - 2:25  rating: * stars

Geez, this had to be a Mitch Miller and the Gang performance.  Simply hideous.   Not even the harpsichord solo could save it.

6.) Give Me Tomorrow (Robert Allen) - 3:04  rating: ** stars

Hum, about the nicest thing I can say is the heavily orchestrated ballad 'Give Me Tomorrow' wouldn't have sounded out of place in a short-lived Broadway show.  Clearly meant to be cool and happening, but it was simply dull, plodding and flatulent.  

(side 2)
1.) Fantastic Voyage (instrumental) (Robert Allen) - 2:13  rating: * stars

Hum, 'Fantastic Voyage' sounded like a film or television score that someone had thrown in the recycle bin.   Shades of a Batman rip off.  Hideous and boring.  This was the only track without a vocal version.

2.) Groovin' On the Sunshine (instrumental) (Robert Allen) - 3:21  rating: * star

If you were wondering whether it was possible to record something more irritating than the vocal version of 'Groovin' On the Sunshine', let me assure you it was.  The instrumental version substituted a recorder for the vocals, adding in poorly played Coral electric sitar and more horns.  The recorder solos gave me flashbacks to my elementary school music classes.  Gawd save the listener.

3.) So True (instrumental) (Robert Allen) - 2:45  rating: * star

On this one the bland vocals were replaced by equally bland electric guitar and circus organ.   Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz  Seriously this one could put you to sleep. As on the vocal version the sax and extended Stevie Wonder-styled harmonica solos were the only saving graces.

4) Too Much of a Good Thing (instrumental) (Robert Allen) - 2:24  rating: * stars

This might have been the one track to benefit from the absence of a vocal arrangement, though it was still an awful performance.

5.) Lovin' Machine (instrumental) (Robert Allen) - 3:13  rating: ** stars

With a harmonic replacing the vocals and the horns more prominent, the instrumental version wasn't nearly as good ...  We all need a lovin' machine ...

© Scott R. Blackerby December, 2024