I began listening to the Lovin' Spoonful in June 2023.
Do You Believe in Magic (1965): A-
Daydream (1966): B+
Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful (1966): B
Everything Playing (1967): B-
Do You Believe in Magic (1965):
Earlier in the year, LA rock group the Byrds invented folk rock by taking folk queues from Bobby Zimmerman and Pete Seeger. The Lovin' Spoonful, releasing their debut recording only a bit later and offering their own unique spin on folk rock, originated in Greenwich Village and adapted their name from the old blues song "Spoonful Blues." Naturally, their knowledge of old folk music runs much deeper than the Byrds. While exactly half of their debut consists of traditional songs, lead singer John Sebastian and gang, as pioneers of a new genre, aren’t afraid to reinvent the old folk music they revere. In fact, a likely inspiration for making folk music new is the Holy Modal Rounders, whose arrangement of "Blues in the Bottle" is covered here. As adept the Lovin' Spoonful are at making old folk music consumable for the post-Beatles pop world, Sebastian has also proved an excellent original songwriter (with the title track still a piercing and defining piece of music) and a soulful singer (swoon along with him on "Sportin' Life"), but the rest of the band impresses as well. Zal Yanovsky proves a rocking lead guitarist (watch out for that solo on "Night Owl Blues") and both "Fishin' Blues" and "Wild About My Lovin'" feature solid vocals by Yanovsky and drummer Joe Butler. A-
Daydream (1966):
Although Sebastian has become a full-album songwriter (except for one cover), the band retains much of their jug band and fun lovin' roots. None of the hits singles off this one quite match up to "Do You Believe in Magic" but the consistency of this track-list is only a small step down from their debut's. B+
Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful (1966):
Despite being a mere 26 min long, the Lovin' Spoonful's third album contains much too much filler and silly instrumental tracks. It contains strong songs like the opener, "Darlin' Companion," "Nashville Cats," and "Summer in the City" but the rest is dull and unnecessary. B
Everything Playing (1967):
Sebastian has written a fairly strong basis for an album but it is dragged down by songwriting from the rest of the group and a noticeable move away from folk rock. B-
