Episode 007: Seven & Seven Is

Episode 007: Seven & Seven Is: Sounds from Los Angeles

01 Love - 7 & 7 Is (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) This proto-punk stunner is still years ahead of its time and set the bar for what could be done within the confines of a 2 minute single. Led by the enigmatic Arthur Lee, Love is responsible for some of the greatest music to come from the city.

02 The Byrds - Why (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) The kings of Los Angeles jangle took off for headier sounds with their single “Eight Miles High” of which this is the b-side. This take differs from the album version and packs a more immediate punch, capturing the Coltrane-esque solo they were going for better than the flip.
 
 03 Lee Mallory - That’s the Way (1966 - 45 Mono Mix) This harmony pop rocker is the first collaboration between producer Curt Boettcher and singer Lee Mallory, laying the groundwork for legendary pop psych band The Millennium. Their unmistakable harmonies are already in place and the bridge provides the perfect pallet for Curt's sonic experiments.
 
 04 West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band - If You Want This Love (1967)  Brothers Dan and Shaun Harris recruited pal Michael Loyd to form a band that was then co-opted by scenester Bob Markley.  This fuzzy folk rocker is taken from their first album which, like most of their catalog, is a mix of earnest pop-sike by the brothers and strange ramblings from Markley.

05 Kim Fowley - Bubblegum (1968) Speaking of scenester, Kim Fowley may be the reason the word exists.  A constant on the scene, he involved himself with many a band from the city in some form or fashion.  His solo efforts are patchy affairs, but this early hard rock number featuring Mars Bonfire of Steppenwolf finds him finding his muse.

06 The Standells - Did You Ever Have The Feeling (1967 - Mono Mix) Unlike may of their contemporaries, the Standells are one of the few bands that were unaffected by trends.  The slight eastern overtones in this song are the closest the band would come to experimenting with psychedelia, as they called it a day before the flower power bandwagon appeared.

07 The Hook - Son of Fantasy (1968) After his time in the Leaves, Bobby Arlin teamed up with Buddy Sklar to form the more hard rock inclined The Hook.  They produced two albums for Uni before calling it quits, of which this dark riff heavy tune graces their first.

08 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy - Dark On You Now (1967 - Mono Mix) Classic jangly folk-rock from this band formed from the demise of The Ashes.  The band called it a day after two albums for Columbia and one for local label Challenge.

09 Spirit - Uncle Jack (1967 - 45 Mono Mix) Sounding like a long lost UK psych 45, this early single by these LA legends is uncharacteristic of their usual sound, which combined moody and introspective songs with guitarist Randy California's epic fretwork.

10 The Monkees - For Pete’s Sake (1967 - Mono Mix) Although often maligned for being a "fake band", the Monkees eventually came into their own.  This song is the first written by Peter Tork and features Mickey Dolenz on vocals.

11 The Merry Go Round - Time Will Show the Wiser (1967 - Mono Mix) Led by Emitt Rhodes, this South Bay band recorded one magnificent album before Rhodes embarked on a solo career.

12 The Electric Prunes - Wind Up Dolls (1967 - Mono Mix) This SFV based band found early success and recorded two albums for Reprise in 1967 before splitting up.  Their following two releases were produced by David Axelrod and feature none of the original band members

13 Buffalo Springfield - Everydays (1967 - Mono Mix) Recorded live at Gold Star studios, this stunning number shows both Stephen Stills strength as a song writer as well as Neil Young's fearless guitar experiments.