Introducing the Beau Brummels

Performer: The Beau Brummels
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: This reissue of the Beau Brummels' debut album includes two added tracks--the 1965 single "Good Time Music" and a demo version of "Just A Little." The Beau Brummels: Sal Valentino (vocals); Ron Elliott, Declan Mulligan (guitar); Ron Meagher (bass); John Peterson (drums). Producers: Sly Stewart, Bob Mitchell. Reissue producer: Bob Irwin. Engineers: John Haeny. Originally released on Autumn (103). Includes liner notes by Jud Cost. Beau Brummels: Sal Valentino (vocals); Rone Elliott (guitar); Ron Meagher (bass); John Peterson (drums). Recorded in 1964 & 1965. Personnel: Declan Mulligan, Ron Meagher, Ron Elliott (vocals, guitar); Sal Valentino (vocals); John Petersen (drums). Liner Note Author: Jud Cost. The Beau Brummels' 1965 debut, with a sound hinting at jangle pop, folk rock, and proto-psychedelia, is a cozy slice of 1960's musical Americana. The San Francisco quintet borrowed much in style and structure from British Invasion bands, and in retrospect the Brummels' music compares favorably to many of their English contemporaries'. In part this has to do with the strength of the band's original material, all of which was written and arranged by guitarist and founding member Ron Elliott. Elliot's songs, whether upbeat rockers such as "Stick Like Glue," or moody, minor key numbers such as "I'll Make You Cry," are powered by finely honed melodic hooks. The group's soaring, complex harmonies and expansive feel seem to foreshadow both the folk rock of The Byrds and the San Francisco sound of the late '60s. Most notably, INTRODUCING includes the Brummels' biggest hits: "Still in Love With You Baby," the moody "Cry Just a Little," and their best known song, "Laugh, Laugh," making it a fine introduction to the group's compelling '60s sound. Rock trivia fans will be delighted to learn that the album was originally produced by Sylvester Stewart (a.k.a. Sly Stone). Okay, so the Beau Brummels were a little contrived. Sure, the name was meant to sound English, even though the band was from San Francisco--it was the time of the British Invasion, after all--and it was awfully clever how "Beau Brummels" came directly after "Beatles" in a record store's racks. But unlike the vast majority of bandwagon jumpers, the Beau Brummels were immensely talented. Their first single, "Laugh Laugh," is a surprisingly bitter and recriminatory tale, but its folk-rock harmonies and jangly guitars made it one of the finest American singles of the decade. The rest of the album, including the follow-up hit "Just A Little," is nearly as terrific.

The Beau Brummels were mid-1960s California's answer to the Beatles, but they nevertheless developed their own unique sound. Their British Invasion-inspired pop was tinged with wistful, bittersweet folk-rock.

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